- Nigeria ranks 56th among the world’s 60 poorest countries based on GDP per capita at purchasing power parity.
- Nine of the 10 countries at the bottom of the ranking are African nations.
- Nigeria’s GDP-PPP per capita rose to $9,532.92, although the country dropped from 44th position in the 2025 ranking.
Nigeria has been listed among the world’s 60 poorest countries in a 2026 ranking based on GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP).
Eko Hot Blog reports that the ranking, published by Global Finance magazine and reported by PUNCH, placed Nigeria 56th among the 60 countries assessed. Nigeria recorded a GDP per capita of $9,532.92 under the PPP measure, compared with its 44th position in the 2025 ranking.
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GDP per capita at purchasing power parity is used to compare the economic output and living standards of people across countries while accounting for differences in the cost of goods and services, as well as inflation.
The latest ranking highlights the continued dominance of African countries at the lower end of the global economic table. Nine of the 10 countries ranked as the poorest are from Africa, with Yemen being the only non-African country among the bottom 10.
Burundi emerged as the country with the lowest GDP per capita in the ranking at $994.23. It was followed by the Central African Republic with $1,437.72 and South Sudan with $1,467.19.
Yemen ranked fourth with $1,859.85, while Mozambique occupied fifth position with $1,897.24.
The other countries in the bottom 10 were Malawi, Somalia, Liberia, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nigeria’s position is notable because the country remains Africa’s most populous nation and one of the continent’s largest economies by total GDP. However, its large population means that economic output is spread across a very large number of people, resulting in a relatively low GDP per capita.
Other African countries also featured prominently higher up the list. Niger ranked 11th with a GDP per capita of $2,108.46, while Sudan was 13th with $2,427.43. Burkina Faso ranked 16th with $3,060.34.
The ranking also comes amid continuing efforts by the Nigerian government to stabilise the economy following years of inflation, currency depreciation and rising living costs.
Although Nigeria’s overall economic size remains substantial, economic growth has continued to face pressure from population growth, inflation and reduced household purchasing power.
Separate 2026 economic data also places Nigeria among the world’s lower-income economies, with World Population Review listing Nigeria’s 2025 GDP per capita at about $1,224 in current US dollars.
The distinction between GDP per capita and GDP per capita at PPP is important. The PPP measure adjusts for differences in purchasing power between countries and is therefore often used when comparing living standards internationally.
The latest ranking therefore does not mean Nigeria has the world’s 56th-smallest total economy. Instead, it reflects the country’s economic output relative to its population after adjusting for purchasing power.
The figures nevertheless highlight the economic challenges facing millions of Nigerians, particularly as households continue to contend with high food prices, transportation costs, housing expenses and other rising living costs.
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