Top 10 Asia's Poorest Countries 2019

World Ranking - Asia is the largest continent on the earth and has the largest population in the world. This continent covers around 8.7% of the total surface area of the earth, and 30% of the total land area on the earth. Even the population of Asia covers 60% of the total human population on this earth, which is recorded at around 4.3 billion people.

The Asian continent is divided into 5 parts, namely Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. And there are 52 countries that stretch across the Asian continent. But of the many countries, there are some countries that are left behind so that they fall into the category of the poorest countries in Asia.

Indicators of the economic level of a country are usually based on the amount of per capita income which refers to the level of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). GDP is the number of products produced by production units within the boundaries of a country in the form of goods and services within a period of one year, including the products and services produced by foreigners or a company operating in the region concerned. The higher the GDP value, the more prosperous a country is. Conversely, the lower the GDP value of a country, the poorer the country is because it affects the low value of per capita income of the citizen.

The following is a summary of the ranking of the 10 poorest countries in Asia in 2019:

10. Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country in South Asia that borders India in the west, north and east, Myanmar in the southeast and the Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh is Dhaka. Bangladesh has the eighth largest population in the world and is one of the most populous countries in the world with high poverty rates. The majority of Bangladeshis work as farmers. Nearly two-thirds of the population of Bangladesh work in the agricultural sector with abundant crops, namely rice, tea and mustard. But more than three quarters of Bangladesh's export revenues come from the garment industry. Bangladesh only has a nominal GDP per capita of $ 1,492 which also places the country ranked number 10 in the poorest countries in Asia. 

9. Cambodia

Cambodia is a country in the form of a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia which has its capital in Phnom Penh. Cambodia borders Thailand in the west, Laos in the north, Vietnam in the east and the Gulf of Thailand in the south. Cambodia had experienced a significant economic downturn. But since the 1990s Cambodia has begun to rise from adversity and show good economic progress. And since then the country's per capita income has increased dramatically, but the increase is still relatively low when compared to other countries in the ASEAN region. So that even though GDP starts to grow, the poverty rate is still high. The main economies of Cambodian people are mostly from the Agriculture sector. But besides that tourism and textiles are also a mainstay for the economy in Cambodia. The country's nominal GDP per capita was recorded at $ 1,382 and ranked the country as the 9th poorest country in Asia.

8. Myanmar

Myanmar is a sovereign country located in the Southeast Asia region. The capital city of Myanmar is Naypyidaw. Myanmar borders India and Bangladesh in the west, Thailand and Laos in the east and China in the north and northeast. The majority of Myanmar residents work in the agriculture and plantation sectors. Open market economic policies have brought a flood of foreign investment in oil and gas (by Western companies), and in the sectors of forestry, tourism and mining (by Asian companies). Myanmar does not have monetary or fiscal stability, as a result of the imbalance of macroeconomic conditions including inflation, the official exchange rate fluctuates not in accordance with Myanmar's kyat value, and interest rates are not clear. A bad investment climate also slows the flow of foreign exchange rates. The most productive sectors are only in the extractive industries, especially oil and gas, mining and raw wood. This condition brings Myanmar to be the eighth poorest country in Asia, with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 1,257.

7. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a country located in a landlocked and mountainous region of Central Asia. The capital, which is also the largest city of Kyrgyzstan, is Bishkek. The borders of the Kyrgyz region are Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the west, Tajikiztan in the southwest and China in the east. This country is located in the Tian Shan mountain range, and most of the area is in the form of valleys and basins. According to the CIA World Factbook, in 2011, one third of Kyrgyzstan's population lived below the poverty line. According to UNDP, the country's poverty rate continues to grow. In 2009, 31% of the population lived below the poverty line, while in 2011 this figure increased to 37%. The country's main economic source comes from the agricultural sector. Wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, wool, tobacco, fruit, beef and lamb are the main agricultural products. And cotton, wool and meat are the mainstay of major exports. Kyrgyzstan ranks seventh as the poorest country in Asia with a nominal GDP per capita of only around $ 1,251.

6. Yemen

Yemen is a country located in the Arabian Peninsula in the Southwest Asia region and has its capital in Sana'a. Yemen borders the Arabian Sea in the south, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in the west, Oman in the east and Saudi Arabia in the north. Now Yemen is hit by a civil war between the Sunni-based government and Shiite-based Houthi forces. As a result of this war, the exchange rate of the Yemeni currency, the riyal, fell sharply by 50% compared to the dollar. According to the United Nations, the war in Yemen resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis and needed immediate treatment. At present Yemen is the poorest Arab country with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 990.

5. Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. The capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu. The country is located in the Himalayas, and borders on China (the Tibet Autonomous Region) in the north, and India in the west, east and south. Economic development in Nepal is complicated by the influence of the changing political situation from the royal period to the present communist party regime. As a group of isolated agrarian societies during the mid-20th century, Nepal in 1951 did not have schools, hospitals, road infrastructure, telecommunications and electricity networks, industry, and civil service services. Even though it later made progress which caused economic growth and improved quality of life compared to before. The country's main economic source comes from the agricultural sector. Rice and wheat are the main crops for the people of Nepal. The country ranks fifth as the poorest country in Asia with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 849.

4. Syria

Syria is a country located in the Middle East region and has a capital in Damascus. The country is bordered by Turkey in the north, Iraq in the east, Mediterranean in the west and Jordan in the south. But because the political conflict that never ended between the regime and the opposition brought Syria to destruction. Before the uprising exploded, 30% of Syrians had lived with no more than one Euro a day. Inflation continues to soar, food prices have increased many times, diesel and imported goods are limited. Even in the capital Damascus, every day the electricity is put out for three hours. Foreign aid, as well as German assistance, was stopped and foreign expert staff was withdrawn from Syria. This downturn brought Syria to the 4th position as the poorest country in Asia with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 831.

3. Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a splinter country of the Soviet Union in the Central Asia region. The capital of Tajikistan is the city of Dushanbe. The country is bordered by Afghanistan in the south, the People's Republic of China in the east, Kyrgyzstan in the north and Uzbekistan in the west. After independence, Tajikistan suffered a civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1997. Since the end of the war, new political stability was established and foreign aid has allowed the country's economy to develop. Trade in commodities such as cotton, aluminum and uranium has contributed greatly to this country in order to continue to improve. However, fighting broke out again in late July 2012 with unclear results which resulted in the country being hit by a humanitarian and economic crisis. Tajikistan is in third place as the poorest country in Asia with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 801.

2. North Korea

North Korea is a country in the East Asia region that covers the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. The capital and largest city of North Korea is Pyongyang. The main sectors in North Korea's economy come from industry, then followed by services and agriculture. In 2004, it was estimated that the agricultural sector absorbed 37% of the workforce, while the industry and services absorbed the remaining 63%. The main industries include military products, machinery manufacturing, electricity, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, clothing, food processing and tourism. North Korea is a very poor country with an average income of only around $ 47 per month (source: Wikipedia). The economic condition of the country's population is far below the welfare standard, with only a nominal GDP per capita of $ 685. This country ranks second as the poorest country in Asia.

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1. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located at the intersection of South Asia and Central Asia. The Afghan capital is the city of Kabul. This country has a very dense population. Afghanistan borders Pakistan in the south and east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the northeast. Afghanistan is a very poor country. The lives of the people of Afghanistan depend heavily on agricultural and livestock products. Its economy has weakened due to the latest political and military unrest. Some residents experience a crisis of food, clothing, shelter, and lack of health care. This condition was exacerbated by military operations and political uncertainty. Inflation leaves many economic problems. At present Afghanistan is the first ranks of the poorest country in Asia with a nominal GDP per capita of only $ 619.