The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a report highlighting the world’s poorest countries based on GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). While GDP is a measure of a country’s total economic output, PPP takes into account the cost of living, providing a more accurate picture of living standards, according to The Forbes.

The report paints a stark picture, with South Sudan ranking as the poorest country globally, with a GDP per capita PPP of just $492.72. The world’s youngest nation, which gained independence in 2011, faces significant challenges due to political instability, ongoing conflicts, and limited infrastructure.

Country	GDP Per Capita
1: South Sudan	$492.72
2: Burundi	$936.42
3: Central African Republic (CAR)	$1,140.00
4: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)	$1,570.00
5: Mozambique	$1,650.00
6: Malawi	$1,710.00
7: Niger	$1,730.00
8: Chad	$1,860.00
9: Liberia	$1,880.00
10: Madagascar	$1,990.00

Following South Sudan are Burundi ($936.42), the Central African Republic ($1,140.00), the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($1,570.00), and Mozambique ($1,650.00). These countries share common struggles, including political instability, internal conflicts, inadequate infrastructure, and dependence on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to climate shocks and food insecurity.

The report also explores the cases of Malawi ($1,710.00), Niger ($1,730.00), Chad ($1,860.00), Liberia ($1,880.00), and Madagascar ($1,990.00). These countries, primarily located in Sub-Saharan Africa, grapple with limited resources, rapid population growth, and heavy reliance on agriculture, leaving them susceptible to poverty.

The report serves as a call to action for the international community to address the root causes of poverty in these nations. Investing in infrastructure, promoting economic diversification, and fostering political stability are crucial steps towards a brighter future for these countries.

In 2024, Yemen emerges as the Asian nation grappling with the most severe economic challenges, exhibiting a GDP per capita estimated at $2,136. However, the accuracy of this figure remains elusive due to persistent conflicts disrupting precise economic assessments.

Conversely, Luxembourg claims the title of the world’s wealthiest nation in terms of GDP per capita, boasting a staggering $145,834 in GDP per capita PPP. Meanwhile, India registers a GDP per capita (PPP) of $9.89 thousand as of 2024, reflecting its position within the global economic landscape.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, center, Pakistan’s newly elected lawmaker from Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party
| Photo Credit: AP

The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) backed by Imran Khan’s party on Saturday named the Pashtun­khwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai as their presidential candidate against Asif Ali Zardari, the joint nominee of the PML-N and the PPP.

Mr. Achakzai, 75, was nominated for the post against the Pakistan Peoples Party’s senior leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari, Geo News reported.

Mr. Zardari, 68, is a joint candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political parties part of the coalition set to form a government in the Centre.

Mr. Achakzai, the chief of Pashtun­khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), won the National Assembly seat from the NA-266 constituency in Balochistan’s Kila Abdullah-cum-Chaman.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, who is incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, has urged his party’s lawmakers to vote for the veteran politician, The News International reported.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has confirmed the nomination of Mr. Achakzai for the presidential poll.

It should be noted that a PTI delegation, led by party leader Asad Qaiser, met with Mr. Achakzai and Balochistan National Party (Mengal) chief Akhtar Mengal earlier this week to seek their support in raising the voice against “rigging” in the general elections held last month.

During the meeting, Mr. Achakzai extended his party’s support for every political party that works towards the Constitution’s supremacy and empowering the Parliament.

According to a notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday, the presidential election is set to take place on March 9.

The nomination papers of Mr. Zardari for the presidential elections will be submitted on Saturday.

Mr. Zardari was announced as the consensus candidate for the country’s top constitutional office after the PML-N and the PPP decided to form the coalition when neither of the two parties managed to secure a clear majority in the February 8 polls.

Mr. Zardari has previously served as the president from September 2008 to 2013.

On September 8, 2023, Dr Arif Alvi became the fourth democratically elected president to complete a five-year term. However, in the absence of the electoral college required to elect the president, he is still in office.

Under the law, the president is elected by members of the National Assembly, Senate and four provincial assemblies.