Top 10 African countries with the highest levels of extreme poverty, per world bank data

For context, extreme poverty refers to the share of people living on less than three dollars per day, adjusted for purchasing power parity.

According to the data, Africa accounts for 20 of the 30 countries with the highest levels of extreme poverty worldwide, underscoring ongoing challenges including slow industrial growth, weak infrastructure, and limited access to essential social services.

Poverty remains heavily concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture and informal trade continue to dominate local economies.

In many countries, the slow pace of industrial growth and limited access to modern services have constrained income opportunities and living standards.

Even in relatively diversified economies such as Kenya and Uganda, nearly half of the population still lives in extreme poverty.

The situation has been affected by inflationary pressures and ongoing protests in parts of Kenya, while institutional challenges, weak job creation, and limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure persist in Uganda.

Although Zambia and Zimbabwe have recorded modest GDP growth in recent years, the benefits have not been evenly distributed across their populations.

The data reflects a persistent imbalance between economic growth and social welfare across the continent. While certain sectors, such as energy, telecommunications, and agriculture, have expanded, poverty levels remain high, particularly in rural areas where development has lagged behind.

As Africa continues to pursue its long-term development goals, the figures highlight the urgency of addressing inequality and improving access to essential services to ensure that economic progress benefits a broader share of the population.