It currently has various industries including agricultural production, mining, and manufacturing. A few of the main economic activities are from agricultural products including milk, grapes, apples, mandarins, and many more. However, some economic hindrances such as corruption, high inflation, and lack of foreign trade weigh down the economy. It has a current GDP growth rate of 2.29% and a public debt of 79.1%, one of the highest debt percentages ranking 35th in the world.

In my own region, in South Asia, we have Sri Lanka — I’ve just come back from Sri Lanka — Bangladesh, Pakistan, which are facing very, very high tariff rates. They can barely generate enough foreign exchange to import the most essential items. They, on top of that, have to pay very, very heavy debt service, and they’ve not really managed significant restructuring. And yet, you get then this completely unnecessary, wanton kind of attack on a little bit of foreign exchange that they’re generating, because the U.S. is a major market for all of them.

Qatar: The Power of Natural Resources

Similar to Nepal, the poorest country in asia main reason for East Timor’s weak economy is the severe lack of trade options. East Timor doesn’t have many valuable resources and has few methods of transportation to other countries. These factors combined make it difficult for the country to support its people’s needs and participate in international trade. Cambodia is an example of a country whose economy was severely affected by the history of corruption within its government. Cambodians are beginning to earn higher incomes thanks to positive changes in their economy overtime. A little-known country, Tajikistan is a nation located in Central Asia and is surrounded by Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.

Afghanistan

And that chaos is going to come even to countries that are not directly affected by very high tariffs. For more on the impact of these tariffs, especially on the poorest countries of the world, we’re joined by Jayati Ghosh, economics professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was previously an economics professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India, where she taught for 35 years. This data focuses on larger private donations in the form of grants; it does not include the smaller, individual charity donations you or I might make.

Sri Lanka supports its economy with 61.7% services, 30.5%$ industry, and 7.8% agriculture. Overall, its GDP comes from 54.8% services, 28.2% industry, and 16.7% agriculture. It is the fourth-largest country by population with a total of 275,122,131 residents, of which 5.31% are unemployed and 9.4% are below the poverty line.

• There are also articles covering tourism industry competitiveness, hospitality, and sustainability.
• As of 2025, a staggering 95 percent of residents do not get enough food to eat.
• The majority of those who live in rural areas are also not trained in land management, meaning that they can’t produce food at full capacity.
• It reflects the severe economic hardships intensified by ongoing conflict and political instability.
• The population has a 2.305 million labor force, of which 48.2% are working in agriculture, 37.8% in services, and 14% in industry.

In fact, it’s per capita income has been dropping rapidly, compared to its peers. It has a real GDP growth rate of 3.7%, mainly driven by oil and gas exports. The country is facing numerous economic challenges including unemployment and underemployment, public debt, and refugee crisis as a result of Syria’s ongoing civil violence. The real GDP growth rate of the economy is 7.4% and depends on 56.5% services, 29.3% industry, and 14.2% agriculture. The economy has a real GDP growth rate of 5.4% and a GDP composition of 24.4% agriculture, 19.1% industry, and 56.5% services. The GDP composition is 20.3% agriculture, 11.8% industry, and 67.9% services.

Timor-Leste – GDP: $1381.20

The United States of America maintains its position as the richest country in the world, with a highly diverse and robust economy. Thailand has the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia. Its per capita GDP ranks fourth in the region, behind Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia.

Bangladesh

Since the early 20th century, the combined effects of urbanization and higher temperatures due to climate change have gradually moved the peak blossom earlier in the year. This is because the global trend is so strongly dictated by the extent of fires in Africa, which we almost never hear about. As you can see in the chart, Africa experiences more than half of the burned area globally every year. News headlines might be filled with stories about large fires in Greece, Portugal, the United States, or Canada, but when we look at the data, the global total is no higher than usual. One of the most pressing problems I hear from European friends is that they cannot find an affordable place to live.

Kyrgyzstan – GDP: $1173.60

• Additionally, smaller nations with vast natural resource reserves, primarily oil and gas, have achieved significant wealth.
• As of 2020, it is estimated that some 60% of North Korea’s population lives below the poverty line.
• Additionally, the list of the poorest countries in Africa can provide a comparative perspective.
• The Kuwait Towers, an iconic landmark, symbolize the nation’s progress and aspirations.
• In addition to being one of the poorest countries in Asia, the country has also been losing its safety factor, especially for women.

Once a part of the Soviet Union, this independent nation is struggling with an unstable economy caused by corruption and poor economic management. Because Tajikistan also has large financial debts to other countries, experts believe the country will have a hard time improving their economy quickly. Qatar, a tiny nation in the Middle East, has leveraged its vast reserves of oil and gas to achieve remarkable economic growth.

Most of the labor force is in services, but tourism showed recent growth following dispute resolution with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. As of today, the country still faces some issues such as lack of infrastructure and corruption. The country has a GDP growth rate of 7.4% and a public debt of 106.3%, the 12th highest in the world. The economy has a public debt of 58.5% of GDP while fulfilling its target GDP growth rate of 6.8%.

Kyrgyzstan also has few natural resources that are desirable to the rest of the world, and can only export cotton and tobacco. Additionally, many areas of Kyrgyzstan lack adequate banking and financial services, which prevents people from investing and hinders economic growth. India is a South Asian country that faces significant economic challenges, including high poverty rates and lack of access to basic services. The country’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors, but inequality and lack of infrastructure remain major issues. Afghanistan ranks as the poorest country in Asia, with a projected GDP per capita of $1,991, reflecting decades of conflict and instability. Yemen is the second poorest at $2,237, affected by civil war and humanitarian crises.

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country that has faced economic challenges, including high poverty rates and lack of resources. The country’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and natural resources, but lack of investment and infrastructure have hindered economic growth and development. The Maldives is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean that faces economic challenges, including high poverty rates and vulnerability to climate change.

Tajikistan, located in Central Asia, is a land of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. While it’s one of the lesser-known countries in Asia, its beauty and culture are unmatched. Nestled amidst the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is a land of stunning landscapes and rich traditions. From the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the serene trails of the Annapurna range, Nepal is a blend of the ancient and the modern. Afghanistan’s rugged landscapes are a testament to its people’s resilience and determination.

But still in Asia, there are a number of countries that are the most poor countries. Asian countries are among the most developed and the fastest growing economy countries in the world today. Also be sure to check our article on Worlds hungriest nations, if u liked this article, check out here.