Top 10 Poorest Countries In Asia 2020

These are the poorest countries in Asia presently. Asia is the largest and most populous continent in the world. It contains over 60% of the world’s population. Asia has a total number of 48 countries. Some of the countries in Asia are China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Hong Kong and many more. Asia has a land area of about 45,036,490 square miles. Some of the richest countries in Asia are Qatar, Israel, Singapore, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Some people believe that all Asian countries are rich and developed. Moreover, many countries in Asia are living below standard. Many of these countries became a subject of poverty due to their early independence, incessant wars, bad governance, high level of illiteracy, high population and many more. Moreover, in this article, the poorest countries in the Asian continent will be looked upon. Read the below piece to know about the most indigent countries in Asia.

Top 10 Poorest Countries In Asia 2020 

Afghanistan
  • 1. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is currently the poorest country in Asia for now with a GDP capital of $577.21. Afghanistan officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a country in the heart of Asia. It is geographically located in South Asia, within a regional block between the Indian Sub-continent and the middle-east. It borders Pakistan to the south and east, with Iran to the west, with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and with the People’s Republic of China to the northeast through the Wakhan Corridor. .Several wars and conflicts have happened in the country, including the Saur aur Revolution in 1978. The strong harassment of Islamic fundamentalism caused the intervention of the Red Army, which turned its support from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other Muslim nations. In 1989, the Soviets withdrew, but the civil war continued.

In 1996, the Taliban imposed a regime based on Sharia. However, in 2001 the United States overthrew the Taliban government, supported by an international coalition, in reaction to September 11, 2001, attacks on the world trade center and the pentagon in line with a policy of persecution of the Al-Qaeda group of which the Taliban were allies. The political structure in force in the country was replaced by a more pro-Western government. As a result of incessant war attacks, Afghanistan remains the most indigent country in Asia.

Tajiskistan
  • 2. Tajikistan

Tajikistan is officially known as the Republic of Tajikistan and it is a sovereign country located in central Asia. The country has an estimated population of 8 million residents as of the 2013 census. The country is also one of the poorest in the Asian continent. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north and the People’s Republic of China to the east. The territory that now constitutes Tajikistan was formerly home to several ancient cultures, including the city of Sarazm of the Neothelic and the Age of Bronze and was later home to kingdoms ruled by people of different religions and cultures. The area has been ruled by numerous empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid Empire the Sassanid Empire, the Hephthalites, the Mongol Empire and so on.  Tajikistan became an independent country in 1991. Civil war came up immediately after independence which lasted for about 5 years. Since the end of the war, the country has been sustaining mainly foreign aids. Although the country still depends on aluminum and cotton production but still about 30% of its inhabitants live on less than $1.25 a day. The country has a GDP per capita of $815.41.

Nepal
  • 3. Nepal

Nepal is a country in the southeastern part of Asia. The country is currently the third poorest in Asia for now. It has a GDP per capita of $1010. Although the country has used to be referred to as a beautiful and blossom country the truth is the country facing a high rate of poverty. The country has an estimated population of 26.4 million residents. Over 22.5% of its population lives below the poverty line.  Besides, the employed people in Nepal earn below $1.90 per day which reflects a high poverty situation.

Political instability is one of the contributors to Nepal’s poverty. The country has gone through different government changes which affect the Nepalese standard of living. The ending of the monarchical system of government was expected to bail the country out of poverty but sadly, even worsens the situation. Another reason why Nepal is a poor country is because of its high level of corruption. Nepal has been rated as the third country with the highest corruption in Asia. Favoritism, money laundering, nepotism, and other corrupt act contributes mainly to Nepal poverty.

Nepal is not only faced with corruption but also has a problem with industry scarcity. Few industries in the country can help Nepal out of its poverty state. Many foreigners do not want to invest in such a corruption-prone country. This also augments to the poverty of the country. Moreover, natural disasters also occur frequently in Nepal. In 2015, the country was faced with an earthquake disaster which killed over a thousand citizens.

  • 4. Yemen

Yemen is located in western Asia and it has a GDP per capita of $1080. The country has a landmass of 203,850 square miles. In the Arabian world, Yemen still holds the highest poverty rate for now. As a result of incessant wars, over 11.7 million residents are now living in abject poverty. With the poverty status of the country, Yemen might be the poorest country in the world by 2022. Nevertheless, deadly diseases are rampant in Yemen. There used to be several outbreaks of cholera, measles, dengue, and other deadly diseases often. The country doesn’t have enough food to circulate through the citizens which causes a massive malnutrition rate. Over 2 million Yemen children need instant treatment because of intense malnutrition. For now, Yemen mainly rely on foreign aids from organizations like UNICEF and the UN as a means of survival.

  • 5. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country with an estimated population of 6.2 million residents. The country is bordered by Kazakhstan by the north, Uzbekistan by the west and China to the east. The country is officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyzstan is currently the fifth poorest country in Asia. It has a GDP per Capita of $1310. The country does not export many goods as a result of its poor support from the Soviet Union. Another reason why Kyrgyzstan is poor is because of its low agricultural development level. Over I2 percent of the Kyrgyzstan population lives in rural areas and is food insecure.

  • 6. Myanmar

Myanmar is a southeastern country in Asia. Myanmar is formerly known as Burma. The country has a land area of 265,228 square miles and has an estimated population of 54 million residents. Myanmar is also one of the most indigent countries in Asia with about 32.1% of residents living below the poverty line. In Myanmar, many people live in rural areas and do not have access to basic amenities or infrastructures. Two-thirds of the population do not have access to t=electricity and advance technological services.

  • 7. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has a GDP per capita of $1560. The country is one of the poorest countries in Asia. Uzbekistan has an estimated population of 33.9 million residents. One of the main factors causing Uzbekistan’s poverty is the high unemployment rate. There are many people without jobs in Uzbekistan. The country also faces the problem of corruption. There is a high level of corruption such as favoritism, nepotism and so on in the country.

  • 8. Cambodia

Cambodia is a southeastern country in Asia. The country has a land area of 69,898 square miles. Cambodia has an estimated population of over 15 million residents. The country is also part of the poorest countries in Asia with a GDP per capita of $1600. One of the main contributors to the country’s high poverty rate is the high level of inadequate education. In Cambodia, most public schools are not equipped with basic equipment to help student’s performance. This factor leads to high dropout and unemployment level in the country.

  • 9. Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country located in southern Asia. It is officially known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The country’s estimated population is 163 million and it has a land area of 56,980 square miles.  The country is one of the poorest countries in Asia for now. It has only a GDP per capita of $1880. Bangladesh’s main cause for the high poverty rate is as a result of its hostile political beginning. Bangladesh’s hostile political beginning now led to its lack of development.

  • 10. India

India is located in southern Asia. The country has an estimated population of over 1.3 billion residents which makes it the second-most populous country in the world. The country has a land area of 1,269,219 square miles. India is also one of the poorest Asian countries with a GDP per capita of $2190. India is faced with problems of malnutrition, lack of education and child labor.

 Conclusion On The Poorest Countries In Asia

Asia is the most populous continent in the world with many countries. Although some of these countries are rich and developed, many others have a high poverty rate. The poor and undeveloped ones should find a way and proffer effective solutions to get out of their poverty situation.

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