According to newly released data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), published by Visual Capitalist, Nigeria has been ranked as the 12th poorest country in the world by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2025.
The report places Nigeria’s GDP per capita at $807, positioning it among the bottom 15 of the 50 countries assessed. This ranking underscores the sharp economic disparity in a nation that remains one of Africa’s largest economies by total GDP.
South Sudan leads the list as the world’s poorest country, with a GDP per capita of just $251, followed by Yemen, Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Malawi. Other African countries featured among the lowest ranks include Madagascar, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Niger.
Despite Nigeria’s significant economic size, the report highlights the widespread hardship experienced by many of its citizens. “Chronic conflict, fragile institutions, and limited industrial bases continue to suppress income growth in many of these countries, even as the global economy recovers from the pandemic,” Visual Capitalist noted.
The analysis also drew attention to Africa’s relatively small role in the global economy compared to its population size. “Africa, in particular, is heavily underrepresented on the world stage. It accounts for 19% of the global population but only 3% of the $113 trillion global economy,” the report stated.
Notably, India, the world’s fourth-largest economy by total GDP, also appeared on the list, ranking 50th with a GDP per capita of $2,878.
