A new World Bank analysis reveals that roughly one in four developing countries now has lower income per person than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting a troubling drift in global development. These setbacks are most pronounced across parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where conflict, economic disruptions and structural challenges have hindered recovery.
According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report, overall global economic growth is expected to remain muted in the coming years. Although projected to hold around 2.6–2.7% through 2027, this pace is insufficient to substantially reduce poverty or generate the jobs needed in the most vulnerable regions.
Many low-income nations that have slipped below 2019 income levels include countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Chad and Mozambique, while even larger economies like Nigeria and South Africa struggled to raise average incomes despite modest expansion. The report attributes much of this stagnation to persistent “downshifted” growth since the pandemic, along with challenges such as political instability and inadequate policy responses.
World Bank officials emphasize the need for deeper policy reforms, including more disciplined public finances, enhanced investment climates and greater openness to trade, as essential steps toward sustainable growth. Without such changes, the gap between advanced economies and many developing nations risks widening further in the years ahead.
