Including Yemen.. Debts of the 26 poorest countries at highest level in 18 years

The report indicated that two-thirds of the 26 poorest countries are either suffering from armed conflicts or are facing difficulties in maintaining order due to institutional and social fragility that hinders foreign investment and obstructs almost all exports.

Natural disasters have also caused significant losses in these countries over the past decade.

IDA is typically replenished every three years with contributions from World Bank member countries. The institution raised a record $93 billion in 2021.

According to the World Bank, the list of the 26 poorest countries in the world includes: Afghanistan, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Niger, North Korea, Rwanda, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Chad, Togo, Uganda and Yemen.

Source: Agencies