Least Developed Countries In Africa : Top 20 Most Underdeveloped (2023)

Posted on Author S. Olawale

Here is the list of the top 20 least developed countries in Africa at the moment. Africa is the home of the largest black population in the world and a host of billions of people. The continent is also blessed with numerous resources though a large part of the country remains underdeveloped.

The countries in the top 20 least developed countries in Africa have exhibited the lowest score of Human Development Index ratings in the continent. The Human Development Index HDI is calculated through the education, life expectancy, and per capita income of each country. Below are the top 20 least-developed countries in Africa.

Most Underdeveloped / Top 20 Least Developed Countries in Africa

20. Benin: This country has a GDP Per Capita of 825.2 USD, the economy is underdeveloped mostly cause of its over-dependence on agriculture and cotton.

19. Sierra Leone: This country has a GDP Per Capital of 788.4 USD. Weak government support for the agricultural industry in the country hinders any real growth, and also overdependence on mineral exploitation is the reason for the poor economy.

18. Mali: Mali with a GDP Per Capita of 765.7 USD lies eighteenth on our list of the top 20 least developed countries in Africa. The country is in huge debt, though the authorities are developing the mining and fishing industry of Mali to ensure future financial security.

17. Burkina Faso: This country has a GDP Per Capita of 720.0 USD Agriculture amounts to 80% of the country’s income and the educational standard of this country is really low. High population density and lack of resources are also factors contributing negatively towards Burkina Faso’s backward economy.

16. Uganda: This country has a GDP Per Capita of 677.4 USD. Though blessed with numerous natural resources this country remains among the most underdeveloped countries in Africa. Poverty in the country is mainly due to political instability and unorganized economic management by the government.

15. Rwanda: Rwanda is a largely populated and landlocked country with a GDP Per Capita of 652.1 USD. The country’s economy is currently managed through the export of coffee and tea.

14. Togo: This country’s economy is based on agriculture and has a GDP Per Capita of 646.1 USD.

13. Mozambique: The government of this country has been trying to improve the standard of living in this country through several macroeconomic reforms and investment in aluminium smelting, though the GDP Per Capita remains at 619 USD.

12. Eritrea: This is a nation dependent on exports of copper, granite, gold and marble and with a fast-growing economy though the standard of living of people has not improved significantly. The GDP Per Capita of Eritrea is 590.2 USD.

11. Guinea: also among the least developed countries in Africa and most underdeveloped countries of the world. Political instability and corruption have been the major causes of the poor economic growth of the country.

10. Ethiopia: This country has a GDP Per Capita of 567.8 USD. The major problem of this country is the low employment rate as over half of the population falls into dependents. The country still lags even though the government has been privatizing industries and properties to ensure economic growth.

9. The Democratic Republic of Congo: This country’s economy is largely based on oil, agriculture and forestry but still lacks behind and is poorly developed with a GDP Per Capita of 475.2 USD.

8. Liberia: The civil war in the 20th century left a long-lasting scar on the economy of this country and left some sections of the country useless. The GDP Per Capita of Liberia is 461.0 USD.

7. Madagascar: This island country has a GDP Per Capita of 449.4 USD. The continuous political crisis has deterred foreign investments in the country leaving the tourism industry of Madagascar to act as their backup revenue generator.

6. Niger: This poor nation with a high level of illiteracy has a GDP Per Capita of 440.7 USD. The economy of this country is based on domestic production and foreign exports.

5. The Gambia: This country makes number 5 on the top 20 least developed countries in Africa and has a GDP Per Capita of 422.8 USD. The economy of Gambia relies heavily on livestock farming and the country lacks natural resources.

4. Central African Republic: This country has been greatly affected by war and political instability the GDP Per Capita of CAR is 328 USD. Most children don’t go to school, health care is poor and life expectancy is low in this country.

3. Burundi: The GDP Per Capita of Burundi is 295.1 USD. Many factors are to blame for the underdevelopment of these countries, factors as civil war, lack of natural resources, illiteracy, corruption and lots more.

2. Malawi: This country has a GDP Per Capita of 253.0 USD. Most people in this country live in rural areas and don’t bother to go to school leaving their basic occupation as localized agriculture. HIV/AIDS is also rampant in this country and has not helped the economic growth of Malawi.

1. Somalia: Somalia is number one on the top 20 least-developed countries in Africa with a GDP Per Capita of 128.1 USD. The economy of this country relies on livestock, foreign remittance, and telecommunications. Political insatiable and regional instability is a major reasons Somalia has been unable to develop over the years.

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Tags: Top 20 least developed countries in Africa, Most underdeveloped countries in Africa