A quarter of developing nations are financially worse off than before the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Bank reported. Many low-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, experienced economic setbacks in the six years leading up to the end of 2024.

The World Bank identified Botswana, Namibia, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Mozambique among the affected nations. Economic growth in South Africa and Nigeria, despite its rapidly increasing population, stagnated during this period. The report highlights a significant downshift in global growth since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The World Bank's findings underscore the uneven recovery across the globe. The report did not immediately detail specific market impacts or anticipated responses from international financial institutions.

The World Bank, based in Washington, is a leading international financial institution providing loans and grants to governments of low- and middle-income countries. The organization aims to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.

The World Bank is expected to release further analysis and recommendations in the coming weeks. These will likely address strategies for mitigating the economic fallout and fostering recovery in the affected regions.