Top 5 Poorest Arab/Middle Eastern Countries in 2025/2026

When we ask “what is the poorest Arab country?”, it’s not just about GDP numbers. Poverty in the Middle East is layered, involving income, access to healthcare, education, infrastructure, conflict, and more.

Before listing, it’s important to recognize that poverty isn’t only measured by income or GDP. Being poor in countries like Somalia, Syria, Yemen also means lack of access to water, sanitation, schooling, health care, housing, and electricity.

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Top 5 Poorest Arab or Middle Eastern Countries in 2025/2026

Deep inequality and ongoing conflict have left millions of people in poverty. While some nations enjoy prosperity from oil and trade, others continue to battle war, famine, and economic collapse. Take a closer look at the poorest Arab countries in 2026, exploring the challenges they face and the impact on their citizens’ daily lives.

1. Yemen

Yemen is often referred to as the poorest country in the Middle East, and for good reason. After nearly a decade of civil war, the nation has been devastated by conflict, blockades, and a complete collapse of essential services. Over 21 million Yemenis, nearly 82% of the population rely on humanitarian aid to survive.

Chronic fuel shortages, widespread hunger, and damaged infrastructure have crippled the economy. Hospitals are unable to function, children suffer from severe malnutrition, and access to clean water is limited in many regions. Inflation has soared beyond control, leaving most Yemenis unable to afford even basic goods.

2. Syria

Syria is never far from the discussion of poverty. After more than thirteen years of conflict, much of Syria’s infrastructure lies in ruins. Entire cities have been destroyed, millions of people displaced, and economic activity reduced to a fraction of its pre-war capacity.

More than 90% of Syrians now live below the poverty line. Electricity is unreliable, hospitals are understaffed, and many children have gone years without formal schooling. The collapse of the Syrian pound has further deepened economic despair — salaries have lost value overnight, and the price of essential goods continues to skyrocket.

Poverty in Syria extends beyond income deprivation. It’s about displacement, disease, and dependence on aid. Families who once lived comfortably are now struggling for their next meal, making Syria one of the poorest Middle Eastern countries in human terms, even if not always by GDP alone.

3. Sudan

Sudan stands at a tragic crossroads, a nation rich in history and potential but torn apart by war and economic collapse. Although geographically part of Africa, Sudan is a key member of the Arab League and frequently listed among the poorest Arab countries in the world.

Since the outbreak of full-scale conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2023, the country has descended into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Inflation exceeds 350%, millions have been displaced, and the healthcare system has all but collapsed.

Basic goods like bread, fuel, and medicine are either unavailable or unaffordable for most families. Hospitals in conflict zones have been destroyed, and doctors are struggling to provide care amid shortages of staff and supplies.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations including the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) are working tirelessly to restore health services, deliver food, and bring hope to displaced families in different regions of Sudan.

4. Somalia

Though often associated with East Africa, Somalia is culturally and linguistically part of the Arab world and is consistently listed among the poorest Arab countries. Decades of instability, drought, and weak governance have left most of the population living in poverty.

Somalia’s economy relies heavily on remittances from abroad, as domestic industries have been crippled by conflict and climate disasters. Recurring droughts have devastated crops and livestock, leading to widespread famine and malnutrition. According to humanitarian reports, 4.6 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity and 1.8 million children under 5 suffering acute malnutrition due to food insecurity.

Access to education and healthcare remains minimal, especially in rural areas. Many communities lack basic sanitation, and displacement continues as families migrate in search of safety and food. Somalia’s struggle illustrates how a combination of political instability and environmental stress can create long-term, multidimensional poverty that is difficult to reverse.

5. Mauritania

Mauritania is another lesser-known but critically impoverished Arab country. Despite its vast mineral reserves, including iron ore and gold, the nation remains one of the poorest Middle Eastern and North African countries due to deep structural inequality and limited economic diversification.

A significant portion of the population depends on subsistence agriculture and livestock, both of which are severely affected by droughts and desertification. Poverty in rural areas is especially severe, with limited access to healthcare, clean water, and education.

Mauritania also faces high unemployment rates and weak infrastructure, making it difficult to attract sustainable investment. According to UN and ESCWA reports, the country’s multidimensional poverty index remains among the highest in the Arab world. This means that even when income rises slightly, most citizens still face deprivation in housing, education, and health.

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SAPA’s Role: Restoring Hope in Sudan

Amid these challenges, humanitarian organizations like SAPA (Sudanese American Physicians Association) stand out for their commitment to long-term recovery and resilience.

In Sudan, SAPA is providing food relief through community kitchens. In North Darfur’s Tawila locality, SAPA provides 4,000 daily meals to families displaced by war, a lifeline for children and the elderly suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Beyond food, through health and emergency programs, SAPA’s teams are restoring hospitals, training healthcare professionals, deploying mobile medical units and initiating vaccination dives to reach areas cut off by conflict. Their work represents a beacon of hope in one of the world’s darkest humanitarian crises.

By stabilizing nutrition and rebuilding healthcare capacity, SAPA helps break the cycle of dependency and paves the way for a healthier, self-sufficient Sudan.

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FAQs

1. Which is the poorest Arab country in 2026?
   It depends on metrics used (GDP, human development, conflict). Yemen is often cited as one of the poorest, including in the Middle Eastern context, followed by Syria, Sudan, Somalia.
2. How do you compare “poorest middle eastern countries” when some are war zones?
   You use multidimensional poverty metrics (health, education, infrastructure) in addition to income. War zones score poorly across all metrics.
3. Is Sudan officially counted among Middle Eastern poorest countries?
   Often yes in Arab world analyses, including Majalla’s discussion, but geographically it is in Africa. Still, in Arab identity metrics, it’s included.
4. Why isn’t GDP alone enough to measure poverty?
   Because GDP per capita hides inequality, access gaps, and service deficits. Poverty is multidimensional, lacking healthcare, education, utilities, security, etc.
5. What role does displacement play in poverty in these countries?
   Displacement uproots people from homes, livelihoods, agricultural land, and social safety nets. It forces dependency, isolation, and more poverty.
6. How can aid organizations help in the poorest Arab countries?
   Through immediate relief (food, medical aid), building resilient infrastructure, supporting education and health systems, training local professionals, ensuring sustainable development.
7. How does supporting SAPA relate to this discussion?
   By supporting SAPA, donors contribute relief and development work in one of the countries (Sudan) often listed among the poorest Arab nations. SAPA’s efforts help mitigate the extreme deprivations seen in these poorest countries.