Over the past 25 years, the share of low-income countries has decreased from 30.7% to 11.9%. According to the World Bank, in 2023, only 26 countries qualified as low gross national income (GNI) per capita nations. The World Bank classified countries based on GNI per capita, which includes all incomes earned by residents and businesses both domestically and abroad, as reported by inbusiness.kz citing Finprom.
The group of low-income countries included those with a GNI per capita not exceeding $1,145 for the year 2023, while countries with income levels below the average ranged from $1,146 to $4,515, those with above-average incomes ranged from $4,516 to $14,005, and high-income countries had incomes of $14,006 and above.
The largest number of countries—86 out of 218—belonged to the high-income category, including most countries from Western, Northern, and Central Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Notably, among the Central Asian and EAEU countries, only Russia was included in this category.
Additionally, 55 countries fell into the above-average income category. It's worth mentioning China, which transitioned from the low-income category to above-average in just 12 years, making it the second-largest economy in the world. A total of 51 countries were classified as having below-average income levels.
Among the Central Asian and EAEU countries, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Turkmenistan were categorized as above-average income nations. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan were classified as below-average income countries.
At the same time, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current prices is projected by the World Bank to reach $14,500 worldwide by 2025.
There is a significant disparity across regions. The highest GDP per capita in current prices is expected in North America ($67,000), while the lowest will be in Africa ($1,900). In the Middle East and Central Asia, the projected GDP per capita is only $5,900, while in Europe it will be $38,300.
The countries with the highest projected GDP per capita are Luxembourg ($141,100), Switzerland ($117,700), and Ireland ($107,200), while the lowest are Burundi ($156.5), South Sudan ($334.1), and Malawi ($448.3).
Among the Central Asian and EAEU countries, Kazakhstan and Russia lead in projected GDP per capita at current prices, each at $15,100. They are followed by Turkmenistan ($13,700), Armenia ($9,000), and Belarus ($8,500). The lowest projections are for Tajikistan ($1,400), Kyrgyzstan ($2,400), and Uzbekistan ($3,400).
