Top 10 Countries with Highest Poverty Rate in the World in 2025

Amigos Internacionales • May 1, 2025
a blue sky with a few clouds in it
A poster for amigos mission in motion shows a girl holding a cup
A group of children are peeking over a red fence.

Picture a kid in Africa skipping meals because there’s just no food at home. That’s the reality for nearly 700 million people worldwide living in extreme poverty in 2025, scraping by on less than $2.15 a day. Most of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty isn’t just about money, it’s about hunger, sickness, and missed chances at a better life. At Amigos Internacionales, we’re tackling this in Uganda, feeding kids and building wells to break poverty’s grip. This blog lists the top 10 countries with the highest poverty rates in 2025, backed by World Bank data. For global poverty stats, peek at the World Bank.

>> Help fight poverty. Donate at
DONATE NOW today!


Understanding Global Poverty in 2025

Poverty’s not just an empty wallet, it’s no food, no doctor, no hope. In 2025, 692 million people, 9% of the world, live below $2.15 a day, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa, per the World Bank’s Poverty and Inequality Platform. Conflicts rip communities apart, climate change kills crops, weak economies cut jobs. The World Bank uses household surveys, adjusted for local prices, to track this. Sub-Saharan Africa’s poverty rate is 30%, triple the global average, per UNDP’s Human Development Report. In Uganda, families choose between meals, school. Amigos sees ways to fix this. Want to explore poverty metrics? See Our World in Data.


>> Related Post:  Top 10 poorest African countries in 2025 

Top 10 Countries with Highest Poverty Rates

Where’s poverty worst in 2025? The World Bank’s 2021-2023 data, with 2025 projections, points to these 10 countries, sorted by percentage below $2.15/day. Each faces unique struggles, from war to climate shocks, driving hunger, hardship. Here’s a deep look, grounded in World Bank, UNDP data.


1. Madagascar

Madagascar’s 30 million people endure extreme poverty at a staggering 75% rate, as reported by World Bank 2023. Devastating cyclones, such as Batsirai in 2022, obliterate farms and homes, leaving families without crops or shelter. While 80% rely on subsistence agriculture, outdated techniques and climate shocks deepen chronic hunger, with nearly half of children under five stunted. Political instability since 2009 has deterred investment, though ecotourism holds potential if infrastructure can be strengthened.


2. Central African Republic

In the Central African Republic, 70% of its 5 million residents live below $2.15 a day, driven by a brutal civil war since 2013, per World Bank 2021. Violence has dismantled roads and clinics, forcing subsistence farmers to flee, resulting in widespread food shortages. With only 5% accessing electricity, children are deprived of education, and malnutrition is rampant, though UN peacekeepers offer a glimmer of stability amid persistent poverty.


3. Malawi

Malawi’s 21 million people see 70% trapped in extreme poverty, heavily dependent on agriculture like tobacco, which employs 80%, per World Bank 2022. Droughts and floods devastate harvests, and a 30% food price surge in 2024, forces families to survive on one meal daily. With only 11% having electricity, a 2023 currency devaluation deepened woes, though modern farming could offer hope.

Visit Missionpoint Malawi

4. Somalia

Somalia’s 17 million residents face a 70% poverty rate, exacerbated by decades of civil war since 1991 and Al-Shabaab’s ongoing attacks, per World Bank 2020. Severe droughts, like 2022’s, left 2 million food insecure, and 90% lack clean water. Disrupted farming and collapsed health systems keep children out of school, though port development could spur growth if peace prevails.


5. Democratic Republic of Congo

Despite vast cobalt and copper reserves, 65% of the DRC’s 100 million people live in poverty, drained by conflicts since the 1990s and systemic corruption, per World Bank 2021. Malnutrition plagues 40% of children, and poor roads isolate farmers, with only 20% accessing electricity. Stability and infrastructure investment could unlock immense potential, but challenges persist.


>> Related Post:  5 Causes of Food Insecurity in 2025: Effects & How to Solve Them


6. Burundi

Burundi’s 13 million people endure a 65% poverty rate, scarred by a 1993-2005 civil war and political turmoil since 2015, per World Bank 2021. Subsistence farming, supporting 80%, struggles with severe food insecurity and limited water access. Inflation soared to 22% in 2024, yet renewed international aid since 2022 offers a cautious path toward recovery.

Visit Missionpoint Burundi


7. South Sudan

South Sudan’s 11 million residents face a 60% poverty rate, fueled by civil war since 2011 and recurring floods that displace millions, per World Bank 2023. Mismanaged oil revenues, comprising 90% of income, leave 50% of children malnourished, with scarce schools and unsafe water spreading disease. Ongoing peace negotiations provide a flicker of hope for progress.


8. Mozambique

Mozambique’s 33 million people see 60% living below $2.15 a day, battered by cyclones and a northern insurgency since 2017 that displaced 800,000, per World Bank 2022. Agriculture, employing 70%, suffers from floods, and corruption siphons gas reserve profits, perUNHCR 2024. With only 30% accessing electricity, stability could lift millions.


9. Yemen

Yemen’s 34 million people grapple with a 50% poverty rate, driven by a war since 2015 that has triggered 60% food insecurity. Collapsed healthcare, bombed schools, and halted oil exports deepen the crisis, per FAO 2024. Humanitarian aid offers relief, but only peace can reverse this man-made catastrophe.


10. Niger

In Niger, 45% of 27 million people live below $2.15 a day, strained by desertification and a 3.8% annual population growth that outpaces resources, per World Bank 2023. Droughts fuel hunger, only 10% have electricity, and education averages two years. Uranium exports could drive growth, but benefits rarely reach the poorest.  For raw data, check World Bank PIP.

>> Related Post:  How does food insecurity affect children: Effects of child hunger



These aren't statistics. They're children.

In 2025, Amigos Internacionales spent $185,000 serving communities in Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Belize, and Guatemala. Independent auditors confirmed those dollars generated nearly $10 million in medical services — roughly $55 in impact for every $1 donated.

For $38 a month, you can sponsor a child at Open Hands Academy in Uganda. That child gets daily meals, education, and medical care.

Sponsor a Child — $38/month →


Amigos Internacionales’ Fight Against Poverty-Driven Hunger

Poverty and hunger go hand in hand, and Amigos is breaking that link in Uganda. We feed 150 kids every day at Open Hands Academy with meals packed with proteins, veggies to fight malnutrition. At Harvest of Hope, we give orphans food and a safe school, helping them grow strong, not just get by. Since 2018, we’ve served over 7 million meals across Africa and Central America, and Uganda’s our focus now. We also plant gardens at schools, grow carrots, spinach for kids’ plates, and teach families sustainable farming so they’re not hungry tomorrow. 



>> Related Post:
  Building Water Wells in Africa: Costs, Benefits, and Impact

How You Can Help

You can be the reason a child doesn’t go to bed hungry tonight.

  • $38/month sponsors a child at Open Hands Academy — meals, education, and medical care included.
  • $50 equips a child with school supplies for a full year.
  • $100 funds a women's skills training program.
  • $10,000 drills a clean water well serving an entire village.


DONATE NOW


Conclusion

In 2025, 692 million people lived on less than $2.15 a day. Most were in Sub-Saharan Africa — the same communities where Amigos Internacionales works every day.

In April 2026, the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported on Amigos' 2025 results. The organization spent $185,000 and delivered approximately $10 million in medical services. That ratio — roughly $55 for every $1 — was confirmed by independent auditors. In one 3-day mission, doctors performed 36 cleft palate surgeries. More than 1,000 students attend Amigos-supported schools in Uganda. In Guatemala, Amigos has served millions of meals since 2002 — a program originally developed in partnership with USAID.

Poverty in these countries is real. The need is urgent. But change is possible.

Donate Now →
**Sponsor a Child — $38/month →**

FAQs

  1. What does extreme poverty mean in 2025?
    It’s living on less than $2.15 a day, impacting 692 million people, mostly in Africa, with little food, water, or shelter, per World Bank’s 2024 data.
  2. Why do African countries have high poverty rates?
    Wars, climate disasters like droughts, weak job markets keep families trapped, with 40% of kids in extreme poverty, says World Vision 2024.
  3. Which countries have the highest poverty in 2025?
    South Sudan, Madagascar, DRC, Burundi, Central African Republic, Somalia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Yemen, based on World Bank estimates.
  4. How does Amigos help with poverty in Africa?
    In Uganda, we feed 150 kids daily, plant gardens, build $10,000 wells, run schools to tackle hunger, illness, and education gaps.
  5. What can my donation to Amigos do?
    It funds meals, wells, school supplies, helping kids stay healthy, learn, break free from poverty’s cycle in places like Uganda.
  6. How do wells fight poverty’s effects?
    Clean water stops sickness, saves time, lets kids eat well, go to school, like at Open Hands serving 150 children.
  7. Why should I donate to Amigos in 2025?
    Your gift feeds, educates, empowers kids in Africa’s poorest areas, creating lasting change where poverty hits hardest.
MissionPoint Burundi free medical camp in Gisuru, doctors treating patients
By Amigos Internacionales April 28, 2026
In Gisuru, Burundi, 81% live in poverty and children walk miles for water. Amigos MissionPoint Burundi brings free medical care to those who've never seen a doctor. Give today.
Two people beside a wheelchair outside, with a child seated at a small desk in a grassy outdoor area.
By Amigos Internacionales April 27, 2026
Texas nonprofit delivers $10M in medical care on $185K — 36 cleft palate surgeries in 3 days in Uganda. Featured in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, April 2026.
By Amigos Internacionales April 13, 2026
Learn how church missions in Africa, through partnerships with Amigos Internacionales, can bring lasting change to communities in need. Get involved in education, healthcare, and development projects.
By Amigos Internacionales April 9, 2026
Discover the resilience of refugees in Northern Uganda and how Amigos Internacionales is providing medical care, education, and empowerment to help rebuild lives.
People stand near the ruins of a collapsed brick building in a grassy, mountainous area.
By Victor Phiri April 4, 2026
Deadly floods and landslides have displaced families in Malawi’s Mulanje and Phalombe districts, leaving them without shelter or food. Learn how emergency tents and food relief can bring hope—and how you can help today.
By Victor Phiri April 1, 2026
From 15–19 March 2026, relentless heavy rains triggered destructive flooding across southern Malawi, leaving a trail of shattered homes, damaged fields, and grieving families in districts like Mulanje and Phalombe. As a Christian medical and community ministry , Amigos Internacionales’ Missionpoint Malawi is on the ground, helping families survive this disaster and begin to rebuild their lives. A Disaster on a National Scale
A child wearing a light blue hijab and shirt, smiling while touching their chin, standing outdoors in a sandy area.
By Amigos Internacionales March 28, 2026
Perpetua’s story in Tanzania reveals the daily reality of living with sickle cell and how compassionate medical care and faith bring hope to vulnerable children.
By Amigos Internacionales March 27, 2026
Learn about the water crisis in rural Uganda and how Amigos Internacionales is providing sustainable, clean water solutions to transform lives and communities.
By Amigos Internacionales March 26, 2026
Learn how child sponsorship in Africa transforms lives in Uganda through education, healthcare, and long-term community impact.
By Amigos Internacionales March 25, 2026
A Ground Prepared Together Loyobo, Uganda — March 2026 There is a quiet theology unfolding in Loyobo. Before any patient is seen, before medicines are distributed, before prayers are spoken over the sick—there is soil being turned. There are hands pressing into earth. There is a community preparing space. In these early days leading up to the medical camp on March 27–28, the people of Loyobo are not waiting for care—they are making room for it. Men and youth gather under open skies, clearing land that will soon receive both bodies and stories. The ground, once wild and overgrown, is becoming a place of welcome. This is not simply preparation; it is participation. It is dignity taking form in action.
By Amigos Internacionales March 24, 2026
Discover why children in rural Africa lack access to life-saving surgery and how Amigos Internacionales is providing hope through medical missions.
By Amigos Internacionales March 19, 2026
The most expensive decision is often the one that does nothing When people talk about the cost of a water well, they usually mean drilling, equipment, labor, and maintenance. Those costs are real. They matter. However, the bigger question is often ignored. What does it cost when a well is never drilled? In East Africa, that answer is measured in sickness, lost time, missed school, and stalled progress. It is also measured in futures that never fully open. A village without clean water does not simply lack convenience. It lacks a foundation. Unsafe water keeps families trapped in preventable illness The first cost is health. When families depend on ponds, surface runoff, or contaminated collection points, disease spreads fast. The World Health Organization warns that contaminated drinking water can transmit diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. WHO also estimates that unsafe drinking water causes about 505,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year. That number is global. Yet the daily reality feels painfully local. A child drinks unsafe water. That child gets sick. A mother stays home to care for him. A father loses work hours. A clinic visit costs money the family did not plan to spend. Then it happens again. This is what “no well” really costs.
More Posts

Social Media

MissionPoint Burundi free medical camp in Gisuru, doctors treating patients
By Amigos Internacionales April 28, 2026
In Gisuru, Burundi, 81% live in poverty and children walk miles for water. Amigos MissionPoint Burundi brings free medical care to those who've never seen a doctor. Give today.
Two people beside a wheelchair outside, with a child seated at a small desk in a grassy outdoor area.
By Amigos Internacionales April 27, 2026
Texas nonprofit delivers $10M in medical care on $185K — 36 cleft palate surgeries in 3 days in Uganda. Featured in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, April 2026.
By Amigos Internacionales April 13, 2026
Learn how church missions in Africa, through partnerships with Amigos Internacionales, can bring lasting change to communities in need. Get involved in education, healthcare, and development projects.
By Amigos Internacionales April 9, 2026
Discover the resilience of refugees in Northern Uganda and how Amigos Internacionales is providing medical care, education, and empowerment to help rebuild lives.
People stand near the ruins of a collapsed brick building in a grassy, mountainous area.
By Victor Phiri April 4, 2026
Deadly floods and landslides have displaced families in Malawi’s Mulanje and Phalombe districts, leaving them without shelter or food. Learn how emergency tents and food relief can bring hope—and how you can help today.
By Victor Phiri April 1, 2026
From 15–19 March 2026, relentless heavy rains triggered destructive flooding across southern Malawi, leaving a trail of shattered homes, damaged fields, and grieving families in districts like Mulanje and Phalombe. As a Christian medical and community ministry , Amigos Internacionales’ Missionpoint Malawi is on the ground, helping families survive this disaster and begin to rebuild their lives. A Disaster on a National Scale
A child wearing a light blue hijab and shirt, smiling while touching their chin, standing outdoors in a sandy area.
By Amigos Internacionales March 28, 2026
Perpetua’s story in Tanzania reveals the daily reality of living with sickle cell and how compassionate medical care and faith bring hope to vulnerable children.
By Amigos Internacionales March 27, 2026
Learn about the water crisis in rural Uganda and how Amigos Internacionales is providing sustainable, clean water solutions to transform lives and communities.
By Amigos Internacionales March 26, 2026
Learn how child sponsorship in Africa transforms lives in Uganda through education, healthcare, and long-term community impact.
By Amigos Internacionales March 25, 2026
A Ground Prepared Together Loyobo, Uganda — March 2026 There is a quiet theology unfolding in Loyobo. Before any patient is seen, before medicines are distributed, before prayers are spoken over the sick—there is soil being turned. There are hands pressing into earth. There is a community preparing space. In these early days leading up to the medical camp on March 27–28, the people of Loyobo are not waiting for care—they are making room for it. Men and youth gather under open skies, clearing land that will soon receive both bodies and stories. The ground, once wild and overgrown, is becoming a place of welcome. This is not simply preparation; it is participation. It is dignity taking form in action.
By Amigos Internacionales March 24, 2026
Discover why children in rural Africa lack access to life-saving surgery and how Amigos Internacionales is providing hope through medical missions.
By Amigos Internacionales March 19, 2026
The most expensive decision is often the one that does nothing When people talk about the cost of a water well, they usually mean drilling, equipment, labor, and maintenance. Those costs are real. They matter. However, the bigger question is often ignored. What does it cost when a well is never drilled? In East Africa, that answer is measured in sickness, lost time, missed school, and stalled progress. It is also measured in futures that never fully open. A village without clean water does not simply lack convenience. It lacks a foundation. Unsafe water keeps families trapped in preventable illness The first cost is health. When families depend on ponds, surface runoff, or contaminated collection points, disease spreads fast. The World Health Organization warns that contaminated drinking water can transmit diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. WHO also estimates that unsafe drinking water causes about 505,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year. That number is global. Yet the daily reality feels painfully local. A child drinks unsafe water. That child gets sick. A mother stays home to care for him. A father loses work hours. A clinic visit costs money the family did not plan to spend. Then it happens again. This is what “no well” really costs.
A person crouches near a muddy, polluted water source in a wooded area, filling a yellow plastic container.
By Amigos Internacionales March 19, 2026
Understanding the Real Cost of Clean Water Projects When people think about clean water, they often think about a simple well. However, the reality is far more complex. Bringing clean water to a rural village involves planning, logistics, and long-term sustainability. It is not just drilling a hole in the ground. Instead, it is building a system that will serve a community for years. On average, drilling a water well in Africa costs between $7,500 and $15,000. However, that number only tells part of the story.
A large group of people gathers on a dirt clearing in front of a long, thatched-roof building under a bright blue sky.
By Amigos Internacionales March 16, 2026
The Reality of Water in Northern Uganda In many parts of Northern Uganda, getting water is still a daily struggle. It is not just inconvenient. It is dangerous. Families often rely on shallow ponds or contaminated sources. During the dry season, these sources shrink. During the rainy season, they become even more polluted. As a result, waterborne diseases spread quickly. Children are especially vulnerable. According to the World Health Organization, unsafe water remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness worldwide. However, statistics only tell part of the story. The real impact shows up in missed school days, long walks, and constant uncertainty.
A healthcare provider wearing scrubs and gloves examines a patient with a visible facial growth on their lower jaw.
By Paul Mulyamboga March 13, 2026
“Discover how Amigos Internacionales brings life‑changing surgery to vulnerable children in rural Uganda, bridging the healthcare gap with compassionate care.”
Three children walking on a dirt road, one carrying a yellow jug, near green foliage.
By Victor Phiri February 26, 2026
In the rural communities of Mulanje District, there are children who wake up every morning ready to learn—but without the tools they need to understand the world around them. They are deaf. And in Malawi today, far too many of them are still waiting for a fair chance at education. At Missionpoint Malawi, in partnership with Amigos International, we are encountering a growing number of deaf children across Mulanje who are eager to learn, connect, and thrive. Yet their path to education is filled with barriers—systemic, social, and economic. This is a call not just for awareness—but for action. The Reality of Deaf Education in Malawi Since the early 2000s, Malawi shifted from a special education model to an inclusive education system. The vision was admirable: to integrate deaf children into mainstream classrooms alongside hearing peers. However, the implementation has revealed serious gaps. Across Malawi, more than 500,000 people are deaf or hard of hearing . Many of these children face: Limited access to quality education A severe shortage of trained teachers in Malawian Sign Language (MSL) Lack of learning materials tailored to deaf students Social isolation in mainstream schools Stigma and discrimination Extreme poverty that prevents access to boarding schools for the deaf While inclusive education is the national policy, many mainstream schools are not equipped to meet the educational needs of deaf learners. Teachers often lack training in sign language. Classrooms move at a pace that excludes deaf children from comprehension. Over time, many children withdraw—not because they lack intelligence, but because they lack access. Isolation Inside the Classroom Qualitative research conducted through Amigos International Mississippi–Malawi in three schools for the deaf and two mainstream schools revealed a troubling pattern. Deaf children in mainstream schools frequently reported: Feeling isolated and lonely Struggling to follow lessons Being unable to communicate effectively with teachers or peers Some children eventually leave mainstream schools and seek enrollment in special schools for the deaf—where they can communicate freely with deaf peers. But these schools are typically boarding institutions, and the costs are too high for many families living in poverty. As a result, some deaf children face an impossible choice: Attend a mainstream school where learning is limited, or Drop out because they cannot afford specialized education. No child should have to choose between belonging and learning. The Situation in Mulanje District In Mulanje alone, Missionpoint Malawi has already identified 60 deaf children in need of immediate support. And early outreach suggests the true number across the district is significantly higher. These children need: Access to Malawian Sign Language instruction Trained teachers or interpreters Specialized teaching materials Safe, inclusive learning environments Community support that reduces stigma Without intervention, many will remain excluded from meaningful education, limiting their future opportunities for employment, independence, and dignity. A Vision for Inclusive and Dignified Support At Missionpoint Malawi and Amigos International, we believe disability inclusion is not optional—it is essential to holistic community transformation. Our vision in Mulanje includes: Partnering with a local Deaf NGO to provide technical guidance Training teachers in Malawian Sign Language Providing learning materials tailored for deaf learners Creating community awareness to reduce stigma Supporting families facing extreme poverty Establishing structured programs that ensure deaf children are not left behind This initiative aligns with our broader commitments to: Education empowerment Child protection Community development Poverty alleviation Faith-based transformation rooted in dignity and compassion When we invest in a deaf child’s education, we are not offering charity—we are unlocking potential. Why This Matters for Malawi’s Future Education is not simply about literacy. It is about identity, opportunity, and voice. When deaf children are excluded: Communities lose future leaders Families remain trapped in poverty National development slows But when deaf children are included: They gain confidence and agency Families experience hope Communities grow stronger The question is not whether deaf children can learn. The question is whether we will provide the access they deserve. How You Can Help This is where compassionate partners and donors make the difference. Your support can help: Train a teacher in Malawian Sign Language Provide educational materials for a deaf child Support outreach to identify more deaf children in Mulanje Establish partnerships with disability-focused organizations Reduce stigma through community awareness programs Every gift becomes a bridge—connecting isolation to inclusion. We are preparing to expand our outreach and will soon document additional deaf children and families in Mulanje. As we meet disability communities across the district, we will share more stories and opportunities for partnership. Together, we can ensure that deaf children in Malawi are no longer invisible.
Surgeon in scrubs, headlight, smiling in operating room, blue drapes, medical equipment.
By Amigos Internacionales February 26, 2026
From 3-day medical camps and eye clinics to life skills training for women — discover how Amigos Internacionales brings holistic healing and empowerment to rural Uganda.
Students in uniform stand outside a building with teachers.
By Amigos Internacionales February 26, 2026
Over 700 children attend Amigos Internacionales schools in Uganda and Tanzania. Learn how building classrooms in rural Africa changes the trajectory of entire communities.
Large group of children posing in front of a partially constructed building. Outdoors, daylight.
By Amigos Internacionales February 26, 2026
Real Christian missions in Uganda go beyond short-term trips. Discover how Amigos Internacionales builds lasting faith, community, and change through the MissionPoint model.
Water flows from a metal spout into a concrete basin, a person's legs visible in the background.
February 26, 2026
Waterborne diseases kill thousands in Northern Uganda each year. Learn how Amigos Internacionales is drilling water wells in Gulu and rural Uganda — and how you can help.
Show More