THE 10 MOST RICHEST AND

POOREST NATIONS IN THE

WORLD 2021
 1. BURUNDI
The small landlocked country of Burundi, scarred by Hutu-Tutsi ethnic conflict and civil
war, has the rather unenviable distinction of topping the world's poverty ranking. With
about 90% of its nearly 12 million citizens relying on subsistence agriculture (and the
overwhelming majority of them living on $1.25 a day or less) food scarcity is a major
concern: the level of food insecurity is almost twice as high as the average for sub-
Saharan African countries. Furthermore, access to water and sanitation remains very low,
and less than 5% of the population has electricity. All these problems, needless to say,
have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
 2. SOUTH
SUDAN
 South Sudan is the newest nation in the world. It was born on July 9, 2011, six years after the
agreement that ended the conflict with Sudan, Africa's longest-running civil war. However,
violence has continued to ravage this land-locked state of roughly 11 million. Formed by the 10
southern-most territories of Sudan and home to around 60 indigenous ethnic groups, a new conflict
broke out in 2013 when president Salva Kiir accused his former deputy, rebel leader Riek Machar,
of staging a coup. As a result, it is estimated that as many 400,000 people were killed in clashes
and nearly 4 million have been internally displaced or fled to neighboring countries.
 South Sudan could be a very rich nation, but with oil accounting for almost all of its exports,
falling commodity prices and rising security-related costs hammered the country's economy.
Outside the oil sector, the majority of the population is employed in traditional agriculture,
although violence often prevents farmers from planting or harvesting crops.
3. Somalia
-Three decades of internal violence
and conflict, frequent droughts and
floods followed by food insecurity
and displacement of people, lack of
access to health services coupled
with the rapid spread of
communicable diseases, massive
levels of unemployment among
especially young people —Somalis
are growing hopeless.
 4.Central African Republic
• Rich in gold, oil, uranium and diamonds, the Central African Republic is a very wealthy country inhabited by very
poor people. However, after claiming the title of the poorest in the world for the best part of the decade, this nation
of just 4.8 million is showing some signs of progress.
• For the first time since its independence from France in 1960, in 2016 the Central African Republic has
democratically elected a president: former mathematics professor and prime minister Faustin Archange Touadéra,
who campaigned as a peacemaker who could bridge the divide between the Muslim minority and the Christian
majority. Yet, while his successful election has been seen as an important step towards national reconstruction, large
swaths of the country remain controlled by anti-government and militia groups. When, last December, Touadéra won
a second term, rebel forces backed by the former dictator François Bozizé sought to retake control of the country.
• Despite these problems and incidents, in recent years growth has somewhat picked up, driven by the timber industry
and a revival of both agricultural and mining sectors. The economy is also benefitting from the partially resumed sale
of diamonds, which were found to be funding inter-religious armed groups and placed under an international
embargo in 2013. Yet, the government has struggled to restore sales and has seen only a fraction of the revenues it
once did, , and roughly 60% of the population still live below the poverty line. To make matters worse, lockdowns
and other measures taken by the government to limit the spread of the coronavirus forced many families to stay
home, leaving them unable to earn an income.
 5.Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC)
-Since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the Congo has suffered decades of rapacious dictatorship, political
instability and constant violence. The country turned a page in 2019, when Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo—the
son of legendary opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi—was elected as the new president.
-The tasks he faces are daunting. His controversial predecessor Joseph Kabila—who had governed since succeeding his
assassinated father in 2001—is credited for bringing an end to what is commonly referred to as the “Great African
War,” a conflict that claimed up to 6 million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and
malnutrition. However, he did little to improve the lives of people who survived the war: over 60% of the country’s 92
million population still live on less than two dollars a day. On the contrary, a recent leak of financial documents shows
how—while in power—he used a private bank to embezzle about $138 million of public funds. Meanwhile, roughly
60% of the country’s 92 million population is still living on less than two dollars a day.
-Democratic Republic of the Congo—the World Bank says—has the potential to become one of the richest African
nations and a driver of growth for the entire continent (even just by virtue of being the world’s largest producer of
cobalt and Africa’s leading source of copper, two metals essential in the production of electric vehicles). Political
instability, endemic corruption, continued outbreaks of the Ebola virus and now the coronavirus pandemic continue to
frustrate that incredible potential.
 The former Portuguese colony has
plenty of arable land and water, and
ample energy and mineral resources.
Mozambique is also strategically
located, as four of the six countries it
borders are landlocked and depend on
it as a conduit to global trade, and over
6.Mozambique the past decade has often posted
average GDP growth rates of more than
7%. Yet, it remains among the top 10
poorest countries in the world, with
• While a 15-year long civil war ended in 1992, severe climate conditions,
large sectors of the population
corruption and political instability never went away. To make things worse,
continuing to live well below the
since 2017 attacks carried out by Islamic insurgent groups have plagued the
poverty line.
gas-rich northern part of the country—up to 4,000 people were killed and
another 800,000 displaced.
• When, in the summer of 2020, French company Total S.A. secured $15.8
billion in funding for a liquified natural gas facility in the region—the
biggest foreign direct investment in Africa ever—many hoped the project
would mark the start of a new beginning. However, in April 2021—after
repeated setbacks due to the escalation of violent attacks in the area—the
company announced that it would suspend its operations indefinitely,
depriving the country of much-needed income.
 With 80% of its landlocked territory covered by the Sahara Desert and a rapidly
growing population largely dependent upon small-scale agriculture, Niger is under
threat from desertification and climate change. Food insecurity is high, as are disease
and mortality rates, and the army’s recurrent clashes with jihadist group and Islamic

7. Niger State (ISIS) affiliate Boko Haram have displaced thousands of people. One of the
main drivers of the economy—the extraction of valuable natural resources such as
gold and uranium—has also suffered from volatility and low commodity prices.

Nevertheless, the largest nation in West Africa seems to have finally entered a new political and economic transition phase.
Wracked by military coups since its independence from France in 1960, in 2011 Niger declared veteran opposition leader
Mahamadou Issoufou winner of the presidential polls. Since then, the adoption of a new investment code, improved access to
credit and somewhat faster access to water have contributed to a sharp increase in foreign direct investment. When Issoufou
stepped down this year after two five-year terms in office, despite an attempted (and thwarted) military coup, Niger
inaugurated a new president—the teacher and former interior minister Mohamed Bazoum—in its first democratic power
transfer. And while the country has reported a relatively low number of cases, last year its economy grew by just 1.2
  One of Africa’s smallest nations, in
recent years Malawi has made
strides in improving economic
growth and implementing crucial
structural reforms. Nevertheless,
poverty is still widespread, and the
nation’s economy—largely
dependent upon rain-fed crops—
remains vulnerable to weather-
related shocks. As a result, while
living standards in urban areas are
broadly improving, food insecurity
8. MALAWI in rural parts is extremely high.
 Malawi is a generally peaceful country that has had stable governments since gaining independence from Britain in 1964.
However, disputed poll results are far from being an anomaly. In 2020, the country's constitutional court annulled former
president Peter Mutharika's poll win in the previous year’s general elections citing vote tampering. Theologian and
politician Lazarus Chakwera, who was sworn in his place, declared that he wanted to provide the kind of leadership "that
makes everybody prosper." The pandemic put that plan on hold: last year, the country’s GDP dropped to 0.6% from 4.5%
a year earlier. 
9.Liberia
 Africa’s oldest republic has also ranked amongst the poorest
nations for the longest time. While the country has enjoyed
peace and stability since the ending of the civil war in 2003, its
governments failed to adequately address serious systemic
problems and structural challenges. To add to the difficulties,
this country of about 5 million has greatly suffered from the
decline in commodity prices and the major Ebola epidemic that
hit West Africa in 2014.
 Expectations were high when the former football star George
Weah became president in 2018. His term was instead marred by
high inflation and unemployment and negative economic
growth. Although a moderate recovery is now projected, Covid-
19 is bound to cast a long shadow on the nation’s prospects.
 Things, however, might be falling into place at last. Liberia’s
economy grew by 3.5% in 2021 and is projected to expand by
4.7% in 2022.
 10.Madagascar
 Located 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Known for its
astonishing wildlife, the flourishing tourism industry has not been able to lift the country out of poverty. The majority of
the population is still dependent upon agriculture for their livelihoods, leaving the country’s economy especially
vulnerable to weather-related disasters. Since becoming independent from France in 1960, Madagascar has experienced
bouts of political instability, violent coups and disputed elections.
 Yet, in recent years, Madagascar was finally on an upward trajectory. President Andry Rajoelina and his predecessor (and
archrival) Hery Rajaonarimampianina had made poverty reduction and infrastructure development major priorities.
Growth was increasing steadily, structural reforms were underway and foreign investors coming back.
 Everything changed last year. Covid-19, the World Bank stated, has triggered a sharp recession, hitting especially hard
the population employed in tourism and in the manufacturing sector. What’s worse, the outbreak also depleted the
availability of fiscal resources for priority investments and social programs, putting on hold the goal of achieving more
inclusive growth.
 Yet, in recent years, at least for a little while, Madagascar appeared on a slightly upward trajectory.  Growth was
increasing steadily, foreign investors were coming back, and poverty reduction and infrastructure development were
declared major priorities by populist president Andry Rajoelina.
The Top 10 Richest
Countries in the
World 2021 
1.Luxembourg
 The European country of Luxembourg has been classified and
defined as the wealthiest country in the world. These findings are
based on the gross domestic product per capita values of the
countries. The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the
country's total GDP by the population size, with the result being
the GDP value per capita within a country.
 The GDP value per capita of a country is an excellent way of
measuring a country's wealth because it considers the standard
of living. By taking the GDP per capita of a country and comparing
it to the GDP per capita of another country, you'll be able to
accurately determine which country is more prosperous than
another, with a few other factors being taken into consideration
as well.
 Looking at Luxembourg in particular, the GDP per capita reached
a chart-topping $131,300 US$ in the October 2021 report.
2. Ireland
-The GDP per capital of Ireland is $102,390 US$ in October 2021. For
reference, Ireland's GDP in 2017 was $70,220 US$. So things are definitely
looking up in Ireland—however, the country is another notorious tax
haven, so perhaps the average Irishman hasn't found the pot of gold at
the end of the rainbow after all.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland is yet
another of the top five
wealthiest countries
based on its GDP per
capita, which sat at a
very notable $93,520 in
October 2021.
4.Norway
With an October 2021 GDP per capita of
$82,240 US$, this country is not only one of the
top five richest worldwide, it's the only one not
also considered an international tax shelter.
 5. United States of America
Considering the lengths many large U.S. corporations
go to hide their own profits in overseas tax shelters, it
may be surprising to learn that the United States is
itself considered a tax haven by many financial
watchdog groups. However, many national and state-
level regulations enable international clients to move
their money through U.S.-based accounts while
incurring minimal taxes.
 • According to current projections,
France’s population is expected to
reach its peak at 67.68 million people
in 2045, after which it will decline
slowly back down to 65.55 million
people by the end of the century.
• In the past ten years, France’s
population growth rate has decreased
significantly to 0.22%. This growth will
become even smaller in the coming
years until 2045 when population
growth becomes negative.
• France was once the most fertile
country in the European Union;
6. FRANCE however, its rates are beginning to
change. France’s birth rate is 11.2
births per 1,000 people and its death
rate is 9.1 deaths per 1,000 people.
The fertility rate is 1.850 births per
woman, which has been declining in
 7.
I
N
D
I
A
 India’s growth rate has declined significantly over the past few decades, attributed to growing
urbanization, rising education levels, specifically among women, and increasing alleviation of
poverty.
 While India's population growth has slowed remarkably over the last few years, it's still growing
faster than China and is expected to surpass China in population by 2026, when both will have
about 1.46 billion people. After 2030, India is expected to be the most populous country in the
world.
 India is expected to reach its peak population of 1.65 billion people by 2060, after which it will
begin to decrease. The number of children in India peaked over a decade ago and is now
decreasing.
8. ITALY
Based on current projections, Italy has already seen its population’s peak of 60.67 million people in
2017. Italy has begun a population decline that is expected to shrink the population to 40.18
million by the end of the century.
Italy has a death rate that exceeds its birth rate and negative net migration. Italy’s birth rate is the
lowest it has ever been since the unification of Italy and many young people are leaving the
country to find job opportunities in other countries. Italy’s birth rate is 1.32 births per woman.
Italy’s population is currently decreasing at a rate of 0.15%, making it the fastest shrinking country
in the world.
  According to current population
projections, Brazil’s population will
reach its peak of 229.6 million in 2045.
 The population growth rate has
significantly decreased in Brazil. In
1951, the growth rate was 3.02% and
in 2019 it was 0.72%. After reaching its
population peak in 2045, Brazil’s
population is expected to decrease
slowly, starting at a growth rate of -
0.01%.
 Brazil’s fertility rate has significantly
decreased since the 1950s when the
total fertility rate was just above 6
births per woman. As of 2018, the
birth rate was 1.75 births per woman.
This helps explain the slowing

9. BRAZIL
population growth. Additionally, in
2039, it is estimated that there will be
more elders in Brazil than there are
children, leading to an increased
 • Canada’s current population is 37.74 million
people. The population is growing at a steady
pace and, based on current projections will
surpass 50 million by 2070.
10. • Canada has one of the fastest growth rates of
any G7 nation, growing faster than many other
C industrialized countries. Canada’s growth rate
has been anywhere between 0.8% and 1.2% for the
A past ten years.
• While Canada’s fertility rate is 1.53 births per

N woman, below the population replacement rate,

the population continues to grow as migration
plays an increasing role in the population.
A Canada’s net migration rate is 6.375 per 1,000
people, the eighth-highest in the world.
D • Unlike many other countries, Canada is
“underpopulated” and celebrates a growing
A population. There are many job vacancies to be
filled and more people means more economic
growth and prosperity for Canada.
Thank you!!!

By: Cristel Joy B. Bartolome