Poorest Countries In Europe

The economic disparity between countries within the European continent is striking. While countries like Switzerland, Norway, and the Isle of Man boast some of the world's highest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita values, other nations lag significantly behind. This article dives into data highlighting the poorest countries of Europe, measured by their GNI per capita, a key indicator of economic prosperity.

While Europe houses several nations with booming economies, countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania face substantial economic challenges with the lowest GNIs per capita. These challenges are multifaceted, involving struggles with political stability, infrastructure, and socio-economic inequality, among others.

Key findings from the data include:

• Among the poorest countries in Europe, Ukraine has the lowest GNI per capita at just $3.5K, followed closely by Moldova and Albania at $4.6K and $5.2K respectively.
• A pattern of economic struggle is evident in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Other countries in these regions with relatively low GNIs per capita include North Macedonia ($5.7K), Bosnia and Herzegovina ($6.1K), and Belarus ($6.3K).
• Despite these challenges, there are modest successes found within the data. Between 2020 and 2022, Bulgaria's GNI per capita increased from $9K to $9.5K, signaling hopeful economic improvement.
• In contrast to the struggling economies, the wealthiest European countries include Switzerland ($88.0K GNI per capita), Isle Of Man ($83.2K), and Norway ($78.3K).

Exploring these economic disparities is a step towards understanding the challenges faced by the most economically disadvantaged European countries. Gaining this understanding implores the broader European community to strategize on potential solutions to these challenges and work towards a more equal and prosperous Europe.

The data reveal that the ten poorest countries in Europe are Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Romania. These nations demonstrate unique economic landscapes and face a diverse array of challenges.

Ukraine has the lowest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita among these nations, standing at a concerning $3.5K. Moldova follows closely, with a GNI per capita of $4.6K, while Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina each have a GNI per capita in the $5K range ($5.2K, $5.7K, $6.1K, respectively). Belarus does not lag far behind with a GNI per capita of $6.3K.

The last four countries in the ten poorest of Europe are Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Romania, each with a GNI per capita under $12.6K. Bulgaria and Romania are on upward trends, with Bulgaria's GNI per capita having increased from $9K to $9.5K from 2020 to 2022.

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10 Poorest Countries in Europe (by GNI per capita):

1. Ukraine - $3.5K
2. Moldova - $4.6K
3. Albania - $5.2K
4. North Macedonia - $5.7K
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina - $6.1K
6. Belarus - $6.3K
7. Serbia - $7.4K
8. Montenegro - $7.9K
9. Bulgaria - $9.5K
10. Romania - $12.6K

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.

Year: 2022

Source: GNI per capita, Atlas - The World Bank

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