Most Underdeveloped Countries In The World: Since 1971, the UN has defined Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as a group of governments that are seen to be at a significant disadvantage in their development process due to structural, historical, and even geographic factors. The UN has designated a group of nations as “least developed” due to their low gross national income (GNI), poor human capital, and high level of economic vulnerability. These nations are collectively known as the least developed countries (LDCs).
According to the UN, LDCs are more at danger than other countries of continuing to experience underdevelopment and fall farther into poverty. They are caught in a poverty trap or a never-ending cycle of poverty.
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Top 13 Most Underdeveloped Countries In The World 2024
These nations include;
1. Angola: Angola is a nation in southwest Africa that is located north of Namibia. Luanda, the nation’s capital, Other Bantu languages are frequently spoken in addition to Portuguese, which is the official language. The predominant religion is Christianity.
A multitude of socioeconomic problems, including poverty, high child and maternal mortality, and illiteracy, plague this country, whose population is among the fastest-growing in the world.
2. Benin: Between Togo and Nigeria in southern West Africa, the nation of Benin has a slender coastline on the Bay of Benin in the south. The official language of Porto Novo is French, while numerous West African languages, including Fon and Yoruba, are also widely spoken there. In Benin, Christianity is the predominant religion.
Cotton production, regional trade, and subsistence farming are the mainstays of the nation’s economy. The agricultural industry, which contributes 25% of Benin’s GDP, employs more than 70% of the population. The percentage of people who are poor is about 40%. Beninese are migrating more frequently as a result of poverty, unemployment, rising living costs, and depleting resources.
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3. Burkina Faso: In the southern Sahel area of West Africa, Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation. The official language is French, and several indigenous languages are also used in the capital city of Ouagadougou. Islam makes up 61.5% of the population, Christianity 30%, and traditional/animist 7.8%.
The Central Sahel is under serious threat from escalating armed conflict, decreasing security, widespread poverty, and the effects of climate change. The main causes of poverty in Burkina Faso include a lack of rural productivity, unrestricted rural migration, and a growing population. Agriculture, which is the foundation of the economy and is dependent on adequate precipitation, is mostly used to raise food and cotton. Only around one-third of the population can read and write, and the unemployment rate is significant. Gold and cotton are Burkina Faso’s two principal exports.
4. Burundi: On the northeastern bank of Lake Tanganyika, in Central Africa, sits Burundi, a tiny but heavily populated nation. The commercial and previous capital is Bujumbura, and the official languages are French and Kirundi. The political capital is Gitega.
Since its separation from Belgium in 1962, political violence and undemocratic power shifts have characterized a large portion of its history. A considerable section of the population is at danger of food insecurity due to high population growth, limited available land, and poverty. Burundi does not make a lot of effort to eradicate human trafficking and does not fully achieve the basic requirements.
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5. Central African Republic: A multiethnic landlocked nation in central Africa is the Central African Republic. Sango and the official language of France are spoken in Bangui, the nation’s capital. Christianity is the dominant religion (89%).
The nation experiences widespread instability and a dearth of official authority in many regions. The security situation was not improved by many peace deals between the government and various armed factions. In many places, there is a serious risk of violent crimes against civilians, including sexual assault.
Independent journalists receive minimal assistance, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) employees, particularly those in the relief industry, operate at great personal risk. In the 2020 Human Development Index, the Central African Republic (CAR) is once more ranked second-to-last. According to estimates, 4.75 million people in the nation live in poverty.
6. Chad: Chad is a multiethnic landlocked nation in northern Central Africa. The official languages of N’Djamena are Arabic and French. Muslim (52%) and Christian (44%) are the two most common religions. Hunger and poverty are made worse in Chad by conflict and the climatic issue. In Chad, 40% of people are considered to be below the poverty level.
Adolescents from remote regions who are illiterate and in poverty are particularly impacted. Chad suffers from environmental degradation and growing desertification in addition to being surrounded by warring nations. Among those most impacted by the deterioration of the global climate are the inhabitants of Chad. In the 2020 Human Development Index, the nation comes in at position 156 out of 189.
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7. Comoros: A collection of volcanic islands known as Comoros make up the nation, which is situated between northern Madagascar and the eastern coast of the African continent near the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel. The capital is Moroni. Comoros is home to a diverse population that includes Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians.
The official national languages are French, Arabic, and Comorian Swahili. About 98% of Comorians practice Sunni Islam, which is the official religion of the country. The nation’s media is tightly controlled by the government. Because stories were judged insulting to the ruling forces, journalists risk being arrested and imprisoned, newspapers have been pulled off the shelves, and radio stations have been forced off the air. In the 2020 Human Development Index, the nation comes in at position 187 out of 189.
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Africa’s largest nation is the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The country in the center of the continent has a little Atlantic Ocean coastline. French (the official language), Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, and other languages are spoken in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital. Christianity is the dominant faith.
Democratic elites’ manipulation of electoral laws and processes has recently undermined the nation’s political system. Fundamental civil freedoms cannot be freely exercised by the populace, and corruption permeates all levels of government. Physical security is jeopardized as a result of violence and human rights violations committed by militias, armed rebel groups, and government troops operating across the nation.
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9. Djibouti: On the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in northern Africa, there lies a little nation called Djibouti. Djibouti serves as its capital (city). Arabic, official French, Somali, and various Cushitic languages are among the spoken tongues. Originally a nomadic people, they have rapidly urbanized during the colonial era. 95 percent of Ethiopia’s trade is handled via Djibouti’s ports, which also facilitate transshipment between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The country’s economy flows mostly through its ports. In spite of this, the majority of people in Djibouti live in poverty and have high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and child malnutrition. The US, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China all retain military presences in the nation because of its strategic location.
10. Eritrea: The Red Sea is bordered by the African nation of Eritrea. Tigre and Cushitic languages are used in Asmara, the country’s capital. Since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, the armed authoritarian one-party state has not staged a nationwide election.
Eritreans are subjected to a national service and forced labor system that essentially abuses, exploits, and enslaves people for an extended period of time under the pretense of protecting the state’s integrity and preserving its self-sufficiency.
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11. SOUTH SUDAN: South Sudan is the least developed country in the world, with a high rate of poverty and restricted access to necessities like healthcare, schooling, and clean water. The country has suffered from a protracted, brutal civil war that has had a terrible impact on both its people and its business. One of the major challenges facing South Sudan is the lack of infrastructure. The country has a limited road network, and most of its population lives in rural areas with no access to basic services.
The country’s healthcare system is severely underdeveloped, with a shortage of doctors, nurses, and medical supplies. Many people in South Sudan die from preventable diseases such as malaria and diarrhea. Another important issue in South Sudan is education. Less than 30% of the population can read and write, making this nation one of the least literate in the globe. The few children who do have access to education frequently study in congested, underdeveloped classrooms.
Over 80% of the people in South Sudan live below the poverty line, making poverty a serious problem there as well. The economy of the nation is largely reliant on oil exports, so the recent drop in oil prices has significantly affected the nation’s income. Agrarian output has also been hampered by the conflict, which has resulted in food shortages and higher prices.
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12. Niger: Niger is second of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, with a high poverty rate, limited access to basic services, and ongoing challenges related to health, education, and economic growth. The country is located in West Africa and is bordered by several countries including Mali, Chad, and Nigeria. One of the major challenges facing Niger is its high poverty rate, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs the majority of the population.
However, unpredictable weather patterns and a lack of modern farming techniques and equipment make it difficult for farmers to produce enough food to support their families. Education is another major challenge in Niger, with a low literacy rate and limited access to schools, especially for girls. Many children drop out of school early, and those who do attend often do not receive quality education due to a shortage of teachers and resources. In addition to these challenges, Niger also faces ongoing security threats from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State. The country is located in a region of Africa that has seen significant political instability and conflict, which has had a negative impact on its economy and social development.
13. Malawi: Malawi is also among the least developed nations in the world, with a high incidence of poverty, restricted access to essential services, and ongoing difficulties with health, education, and economic development. Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia all surround the nation, which is in southeast Africa.
One of the major challenges facing Malawi is its high poverty rate, with over half of the population living below the poverty line. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs the majority of the population. However, unpredictable weather patterns, soil degradation, and a lack of modern farming techniques and equipment make it difficult for farmers to produce enough food to support their families.
Access to healthcare is also a significant challenge in Malawi, with a shortage of trained healthcare workers and limited resources to address common health problems such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health. The country has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with many people living with the virus unable to access lifesaving treatment. Education is another major challenge in Malawi, with a low literacy rate and limited access to schools, especially for girls. Many children drop out of school early, and those who do attend often do not receive quality education due to a shortage of teachers and resources. In addition to these challenges, Malawi also faces ongoing environmental and climate-related challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, and drought. These challenges have a significant impact on the country’s economy and the livelihoods of its people.
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Conclusion
The rate of global development is really rapid. On the other hand, there are some nations where people don’t even have enough food for two meals a day and cannot even live. They have no quality of living and no access to even the most basic necessities. Some of these nations have declining economies, high unemployment rates, and inadequate infrastructure.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.