Top 10 Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere ([year])
Have you ever wondered what the Top Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere are? The United States of America is also found in this part of the world and it has the largest economy in the world.
However, not all the countries in this region are as rich as the United States which brings us to look into the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere currently.
Top 10 Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere
The western hemisphere refers to half of the earth that lies west of the Prime meridian and east of the anti–meridian. To get the poorest countries in this region, the selection criteria are based on the Gross domestic product (GDP) of the countries.
You can quickly glance through the list of countries deemed the poorest in the Western Hemisphere below. The listed countries are the poorest in the Western hemisphere.
1. Haiti
GDP: $671
Haiti is the poorest country in this region and the country’s economy has suffered due to economic instability. The country has a GDP PPP of $1,358placing it in the first spot on our list. The country was once hit by a devastating earthquake, the biggest natural disaster in the country’s history.
Over the years, the country has suffered from revolution, deforestation, corruption, debt, and violence, all of which contribute to its lack of infrastructure, political instability, and high poverty rate.
2. Nicaragua
GDP: $1,997
The next country on our list of Top 10 Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere currently is Nicaragua, a country that is home to indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. It comes second on the list with a GDP PPP of $2,698.
There are several factors responsible for the country’s high rate of poverty which are natural disasters, political instability, and lack of education. Also, constant earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes have destroyed most of the livestock, crops, schools, and homes in this country.
3. Honduras
GDP: $2,172
Honduras is the third poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Importantly, more than half of Honduras’s population lives in abject poverty. Poor employment rate and the economy is underdeveloped however, the country’s population continues to be on the rise.
The country is making progress, but violent activities in the country have posed a threat to the stability of the country and perpetuated poverty.
4. Guatemala
GDP: $3,838
Guatemala is the fourth poorest country in the western hemisphere despite it having witnessed economic growth and successful democratic elections.
The country continues to struggle with a high poverty rate, crime, drug trade, and instability. The country’s GDP is$3,838 which is believed to be so because the government of the country does not collect enough tax to generate revenue.
5. El Salvador
GDP: $4,131
It is reported that 40% of El Salvador citizens live below the poverty line. Also, more than half of the citizens in this country are living on less than $2 per day making El Salvador one of the Top Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere.
However, a small elite population in the country became wealthy through the country’s coffee and sugar production. But overall, gang activities, violence, and a weak education system are some of the major factors hampering the development and economy of this country.
Read Also: The 25 Poorest Countries in The World
6. Jamaica
GDP: $4,747
Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean and the sixth poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with a GDP of $4,747.
Wonder why the country remains poor, that is Jamaica’s economy is unstable, slow, and weakened due to high debt rates. Factors such as gang violence, high inflation rates, and high unemployment rates have been injurious to the country’s economy.
In addition, the country spends about half of its income to import goods for basic amenities such as gasoline and food, thereby increasing its debt rate.
7. Dominican Republic
GDP: $6,599
The Dominican Republic government continues to provide measures to lift the country out of the poverty line and as well to improve the overall economic conditions of its citizens. The country is performing better economically than its bordering neighbor, Haiti.
Despite having a seemingly healthy economy with a per capita GDP is $6,599, the country’s economy is still facing factors such as increasing population, improper documentation of residents, natural disasters, and a dormant agricultural sector.
8. Saint Vincente and Grenadines
GDP: $6,898
Taking us further in our discourse the Top Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere are the Saint Vincente and Grenadines.
The country has a high rate of poverty, high unemployment, and an underemployment rate because of trade difficulties, all of which have negatively affected the country’s economy.
9. Saint Lucia
GDP: $7,608
Saint Lucia is not left out among the countries suffering from poverty in the Western hemisphere. The country suffers from poor infrastructure that has left many residents in the country without electricity, safe water, and usable roads.
Due to the inaccessibility of the above-mentioned, people have limited access to education, health care, and other infrastructure that will benefit them. More so, due to poor resources and revenue, the government is unable to provide resources for its citizens facing poverty.
10. Cuba
GDP: $7,918
Cuba brings us to the end of our discourse as the tenth poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Residents in the country don’t have access to good transportation, housing, and other necessities for its people.
The US embargo on the country’s exporters of the recipient of 95% of their products is a massive contributor to the country’s economic setback.
Read Also: The 25 Poorest Countries In Africa – [IMF Current Data]
Conclusion
Those are the Top Poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere as purported in our discussion. There are different factors responsible for the abject poverty rate in this country as highlighted above. Attention must be given to this country to lift them out of the poverty line.
