There isn't one single "poorest city" as poverty varies by region, but areas like Zhumadian (Henan), Hechi (Guangxi), Gansu Province (esp. Xihaigu region), and parts of Guizhou & Sichuan (like Liangshan) are frequently cited for low GDP per capita or poverty rates, often due to geography, lack of industrialization, or historical challenges, though development efforts continue.
Xihaigu is a region forming the southern tip of Ningxia, China. It consists of the seven county-level divisions Yuanzhou, Xiji, Longde, Jingyuan, Pengyang, Haiyuan and Tongxin. The former five counties being part of Guyuan city. It forms one of the poorest areas in China.
Gansu Province🇨🇳 the poorest province in China in terms of per capita income. Population: 25.5 million Capital: Lanzhou GDP: $182 billion Per capita income: $7,130+
In China, it is generally believed that the poorest provinces are Guizhou and Gansu, followed by Yunnan. However, there are also provinces like Henan with a large population. Although the economy is not the most backward, the strategic value is very low and the people are under great pressure.
Rankings: Most Polluted Cities in China (2024)
The Top 10 Least Polluted Cities and Best AQI in China (2024)
South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world in 2025-2026, consistently ranking first due to extremely low GDP per capita and a high percentage (over 80%) of its population living in extreme poverty, driven by prolonged civil conflict, displacement, and disruption of its agricultural economy. Other nations frequently cited as among the poorest include Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, also suffering from conflict and instability.
The areas of lowest living cost include Yingchuan,Luoyang, Xining, these cities all located in the northwest China where economy is comparatively lower than other cities, people lived in these cities could reduce the cost of living.
Walking through China's cities, you will quickly notice the absence of large slums or pervasive homelessness common to the rest of the world.
Jackman. Liangshan, located in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, used to be one of the poorest prefectures in the country.
It really depends on what you're going to do with that $100. If you're living a western style of life with food, $100 US in the cities would be like $120 US maybe? It'll stretch out a little. But if you're eating like the locals, buying groceries and the like, this can be a small fortune.
Rural Poverty
While poverty has been reduced immensely in China over the past decade, it still remains a large problem in rural China. Rural China has historically been disproportionately taxed and also has received fewer benefits from the recent economic development and success of China.
The 16 best places for expats to live in China are Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, Qingdao, Kunming, Tianjin, Nanjing, and Fuzhou. Read on to learn about what each city has to offer, where it is located, how big it is, and some brief pros and cons about it.
China's "3-hour rule" for minors restricts children under 18 to playing online video games for only three hours per week, specifically from 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, to combat gaming addiction and improve health. Implemented by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) in 2021, the rule mandates gaming companies use real-name verification and facial recognition to enforce limits, though some children bypass it using adult accounts.
Five US dollars (around 35 Chinese Yuan) isn't a lot in China for tourists but is a meaningful amount for daily necessities, buying several street food meals or bus rides, though it won't go far in big cities for luxuries, varying greatly by location and type of purchase.
The richest country by GDP (PPP) per capita is often cited as Singapore, followed closely by Luxembourg, depending on the specific report and year, with Singapore leading in 2025 estimates with around $156,000-$157,000 per person, while Luxembourg is a strong contender just below that, highlighting small, finance-heavy economies as wealthiest per person.
Afghanistan remains the poorest country in Asia, with decades of war, political upheaval, and humanitarian crises leaving deep scars on its economy. With weak infrastructure, heavy reliance on aid, and limited industrial output, the average Afghan citizen faces severe income constraints.
Top 5 most polluting countries
1. Iceland. Iceland is known for its dramatic landscapes, but its air quality is just as impressive. With minimal industrial pollution and an abundance of renewable energy (thanks to all those geothermal hot springs), Iceland's air is as fresh as it gets.