Top 13 Poorest States In Nigeria 2023 – The main challenge of Nigeria is poverty and in recent years, Nigeria recorded 40% of its citizens living below the poverty line.
The country’s poverty rate has been increasing in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation. Identifying the poorest states in Nigeria is essential in developing targeted interventions and policies to alleviate poverty.
In this article, we will explore the top 13 poorest states in Nigeria in 2023, along with their poverty rates.
Top 13 Poorest States in Nigeria 2023
Here are the top 13 most poorest state in Nigeria, in descending order:
- Sokoto: Poverty rate of 87.73%
- Taraba: Poverty rate of 87.72%
- Jigawa: Poverty rate of 87.02%
- Ebonyi: Poverty rate of 79.76%
- Adamawa: Poverty rate of 77.31%
- Zamfara: Poverty rate of 76.98%
- Yobe: Poverty rate of 76.57%
- Niger: Poverty rate of 76.06%
- Gombe: Poverty rate of 75.47%
- Kastina: Poverty rate of 74.76%
- Plateau: Poverty rate of 74.45%
- Nasarawa: Poverty rate of 73.17%
- Benue: Poverty rate of 72.96%
Sokoto: Poverty rate of 87.73%
Sokoto is one of the poorest states in Nigeria, with a poverty rate of 87.73%. The state faces many challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system. Additionally, Sokoto suffers from a lack of access to clean water, which has led to the spread of waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
Taraba: Poverty rate of 87.72%
Taraba is another state that has a high poverty rate of 87.72%. The state is located in the northeast region of Nigeria, which has been affected by Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.
The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, and most of the population depends on subsistence farming for their livelihood. The lack of access to basic social amenities such as healthcare, education, and clean water has contributed to the high poverty rate in Taraba.
Jigawa: Poverty rate of 87.02%
Jigawa is one of the states in Nigeria with the highest poverty rate of 87.02%. The state is located in the northwest region of Nigeria, and its economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Ebonyi: Poverty rate of 79.76%
Ebonyi is one of the states in the southeast region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 79.76%. The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system. Additionally, the state suffers from high rates of environmental degradation, including deforestation and soil erosion.
Adamawa: Poverty rate of 77.31%
Adamawa is another state in the northeast region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 77.31%. The state has been affected by Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the displacement of many people and disrupted economic activities.
The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
Zamfara: Poverty rate of 76.98%
Zamfara is one of the states in the northwest region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 76.98%. The state is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Yobe: Poverty rate of 76.57%
Yobe is another state in the northeast region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 76.57%. The state has been affected by Boko Haram insurgency, which has disrupted economic activities and led to the displacement of many people.
The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
Niger: Poverty rate of 76.06%
Niger is one of the states in the north-central region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 76.06%. The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Additionally, the state suffers from environmental degradation, including desertification and soil erosion.
Gombe: Poverty rate of 75.47%
Gombe is another state in the northeast region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 75.47%. The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Katsina: Poverty rate of 74.76%
Katsina is one of the states in the northwest region of Nigeria with a high poverty rate of 74.76%. The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Plateau: Poverty rate of 73.67%
Plateau is one of the states in the north-central region of Nigeria with a poverty rate of 73.67%. The state has been affected by inter-ethnic and religious conflicts, which have disrupted economic activities and led to the displacement of many people.
The state’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming.
Nasarawa: Poverty rate of 73.17%
Nasarawa is another state in the north-central region of Nigeria with a poverty rate of 73.17%. The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system. Additionally, the state suffers from environmental degradation, including desertification and soil erosion.
Benue: Poverty rate of 72.90%
Benue is another state in the north-central region of Nigeria with a poverty rate of 72.90%. The state faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.
Additionally, the state has been affected by inter-ethnic conflicts, which have disrupted economic activities and led to the displacement of many people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poverty remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with an estimated 40% of the population living below the poverty line.
The top 13 poorest states in Nigeria in 2023, as highlighted in this article, face several challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited job opportunities, and a poorly developed educational system.