List of 9 Poorest Countries in Asia by GDP PPP, Check Economic Challenges!

GDP PPP of any country reflects the overall purchasing power and cost of living, offering a clearer picture of a nation's economic reality. And when it comes to Asia, everyone knows how its economy is vast and diverse. Nations like Myanmar are coping with poverty and economic challenges. In 2025, countries like Afghanistan ( $1,991) PPP and Yemen  ($2,237) PPP rank among Asia’s lowest GDP PPPs. This illustrates widespread economic struggles beyond aggregate statistics.

Learn about several Asian countries that face challenges in bringing foreign investments, educational growth, and infrastructure issues that hinder their growth. So, let's find out the nations of Asia with the lowest GDP PPP.

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List of 9 Poorest Countries in Asia by GDP PPP

There is a list of countries in Asia that are considered the poorest because of the lowest GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity. The main pain points for these countries are in terms of poverty, political instability, and underdeveloped infrastructure. Therefore, have a look at those countries that require several infrastructural changes to improve the Purchasing Power Parity: 

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2025 Projections (Poorest Countries in Asia by GDP PPP)

1. Afghanistan (GDP PPP: $63.28 billion)

When it comes to the list of most impacted countries on the basis of Purchasing power Parity, then Afghanistan faces a lot of political instability. Moreover, there is a lack of infrastructure due to which it still struggles with high unemployment and limited economic activity. This is another reason why its economy is further hampered by ongoing security concerns. Its highly informal economy makes it one of the poorest countries in Asia by GDP PPP.

2. Yemen (GDP PPP: $36.48 billion)

Yemen has been devastated by an ongoing civil war, leading to political instability and a humanitarian crisis. The country suffers from widespread unemployment, inadequate public services, and an unstable economy. Despite its natural resources, Yemen's political unrest continues to keep it from capitalizing on its potential.

3. Tajikistan (GDP PPP: $8.51 billion)

Tajikistan has one of the lowest GDPs in Asia due to its reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad, particularly in Russia. Along with this, it faces high poverty levels on many grounds, a lack of access to modern markets, and high dependency on agriculture. Due to almost no tertiary sector and setup of industries, it remains underdeveloped and has almost negligible economic growth.

4. Myanmar (GDP PPP: $71.21 billion)

Myanmar's economy is heavily affected by political unrest and military control, limiting foreign investment and economic development. The country has significant natural resources, but instability and security concerns have prevented it from unlocking its full potential. The economy struggles with economic inequality and poor infrastructure.

5. Kyrgyzstan (GDP PPP: $8.66 billion)

With a GDP PPP of $8.66 billion, Kyrgyzstan faces also experiences a high reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad, political instability, and a high dependency on agriculture. Although there are remittances but it limits the country’s self-sufficiency. With less demand for consumers and businesses, the economic growth stands hampered.

6. Nepal (GDP PPP: $37.24 billion)

Nepal comes in the poorest countries of Asia because of unemployment, and the majority of people in Nepal live in rural areas. Due to which they get less exposure of the industries along with a strong reliance on agriculture. Other factors that contribute to its low GDP PPP include political instability, poor infrastructure, and low income levels that plague the nation. Natural catastrophes like earthquakes have also hampered Nepal's economic development.

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7. Laos (GDP PPP: $28.91 billion)

Laos has an economic structure that has insufficient infrastructure and a relatively low GDP due to a weak industrial base. Moreover, it has not seen significant economic growth because of heavy reliance on agriculture, like any other country on the list of being poor in Asia.  All these factors contribute to the country’s high poverty levels and low economic development.

8. Bangladesh (GDP PPP: $317.44 billion)

While Bangladesh has seen consistent economic growth, the country still struggles with overpopulation, income inequality, and underdeveloped infrastructure. Despite significant progress in the textile industry and remittances, the wealth distribution remains highly unequal, and rural areas continue to lag in terms of development.

9. Cambodia (GDP PPP: $33.91 billion)

Cambodia’s economy is dependent on low-wage industries such as garment manufacturing and tourism. The country faces high income inequality and limited education opportunities for many, particularly in rural areas. These factors continue to perpetuate poverty despite the country’s steady economic growth in recent years.

What are the Key Takeaways?

The key facts and takeaways from this blog include the following:

• GDP (PPP) offers a clearer picture of real income levels by adjusting for the cost of living.
• Despite having significant resources, countries like Myanmar and Yemen face economic challenges due to political instability.
• Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and Laos continue to rely heavily on agriculture and remittances, which limit long-term growth.

Conclusion

The economic scenarios faced by these nine countries highlight the significant challenges of their poverty issues. Countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Bangladesh have the lowest GDP per capita (PPP) in Asia in 2025, highlighting deep-rooted poverty. As these countries work towards economic recovery, addressing political instability, infrastructure development, and foreign investment will be key to improving their economic situation in the coming years. 

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