The 10 Poorest Nations in the World

The major problems seem to be a dependence on agriculture where the climate is unpredictable and the high incidence of AIDS and other diseases.

1. Niger

   Niger, with 12.5 Million people is ranked as the poorest country in the world (last out of 177 countries). It is a landlocked country bordered by Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali and Nigeria. There is often drought and a severe food crisis. 63% live on less than $1 (US) a day. Less than 15% of adults are literate.
   
   Life expectancy is 46 years old. Adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS is 1.2%, but this is just one of a number of infectious diseases. Many people die of diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria and meningococcal meningitis.

2. Sierra Leone

   Sierra Leone, unlike other poor nations has significant mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. The problem is the underdeveloped economic and social infrastructure. 'Blood Diamonds' come from Sierra Leone via Liberia. Of the 6 Million people, 5 Million live below the poverty line. Life expectancy: 37 years old (male), 39 years old (female) and HIV prevalence for adults is 7% 51% of males and 23% of adult females are literate. Sierra Leone has the same diseases as Mali, including schistosomiasis and Lassa fever.

3. Burkina Faso

   Burkina Faso is a landlocked country bordered by Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo and is ranked 175. The majority of the population (90%) engage in agriculture with cotton as the key crop but recurring droughts make it one of the poorest countries.
   
   45% of the population lives below the poverty line. Much of the male labour force migrates annually to neighbouring countries for seasonal employment.
   
   Life expectancy is 47.33 years (male), 50.42 years (female) HIV/AIDS adult prevalence: 4.2% Burkino Faso has the same high risk of the disease as the previous two nations, as well as meningococcal meningitis

4. Mali

   Mali is a semi-desert landlocked country with 10% of the population nomadic and 80% of the working population subsisting on farming and fishing.
   
   Gold and cotton are its main exports, and it is heavily dependent on foreign aid.
   
   Life expectancy at birth is 48 years old. The adult literacy rate is: 36% (male), 16% (female) while the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in adults is 7%

5. Chad

   Foreign Direct Investments in the oil sector began in 2000, helping boost its economy. Although Chad's total oil reserves has been estimated to be 2 billion barrels, farming and livestock-raising still remain as a major source of livelihood due to Chad's landlockness and a history of civil war. Its border countries are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria and Sudan. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic are the country's non-oil export earnings, with oil exports beginning only in 2004.
   
   80% of it's 9.9 million people live below the poverty line. Life expectancy at birth: 45 years (male), 49 years (female), HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.8%

6. Guinea-Bissau

   Guinea-Bissau is ranked 172 its economy depends on farming and fishing. It exports fish, seafood, peanuts, palm kernels and timber. There is a vast income disparity in the country and in December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP provided
   
   $107 million emergency budgetary support to help forward the country's economic development.
   
   There are 1.4 million people, with a life expectancy at birth being 45 years (male), 48 years (female), The adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS is about 10%

7. Central African Republic

   The Central African Republic is ranked 171. The agricultural sector generates more than half of the country's GDP. Due to its landlocked position, poor transport, unskilled work force, and a history of misdirected economic policies, CAR has been unable to develop economically. There are 4.3 million people, with a life expectancy at birth of 43.46 years (male), 43.62 years (female). HIV/AIDS effects 13.5% of the population.

8. Ethiopia

   Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries, ranking 170. Half of its GDP is dependent on the agricultural sector, which suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee exports bring in $156 million but low market prices have forced farmers to result to cultivating qat to supplement income. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the International Monetary Fund forgave Ethiopia's debt. The population is 74.7 million of which 50% falls below the poverty line and 80% lives on less than $2 a day.
   
   Life expectancy at birth is 47 years (male), 50 years (female), Adult literacy rate is 47% (male), 31% (female) and HIV/AIDS effects 4.4% of the adult population. HIV is not the only disease; bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and hepatitis E malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis are high risks in some locations, meningococcal meningitis, rabies and schistosomiasis are prevalent.

9. Burundi

   Ranked 169, Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The working population is highly dependent on the agricultural sector (coffee and tea exports), accounting for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. World Bank and UN estimates state that one in two children go to school and one in 10 adults has HIV/AIDS.
   
   The population is about 8.1 million and 68% fall below the poverty line. Life expectancy at birth is 50 years (male), 51 years (female).

10. Mozambique

    Mozambique is ranked 168. The main source of livelihood is agriculture followed by manufacturing, then commerce, construction and transport and communications.
    
    The population is about 19.6 million. 21% of the population is unemployed, 70% are below the poverty line. Life expectancy at birth is 39 years (male), 40 years (female), and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is 12.2% There is a high risk of bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, plague and schistosomiasis.