Editor’s note
- 10 countries on the brink of collapse, North Korea on the list
- Sri Lanka: Debt Default
- Pakistan: Political chaos
- Afghanistan: Extreme poverty
- Myanmar: Army loses control
- North Korea: Threatens worst famine ever
- Lebanon: Currency plummets
- Laos: Debts to China
- Bangladesh: Imports expensive
- Yemen: Divided into groups
- Kazakhstan: Industry disrupted
10 countries on the brink of collapse, North Korea on the list
Asia is on the brink of collapse. Economies are collapsing, politics is in turmoil, and the future is uncertain.
Is our country on the list of countries threatened with collapse?
You won’t believe who is at the top of the list. These are the countries claimed to be on the brink of collapse.
Sri Lanka: Debt Default
Sri Lanka, known for its beautiful beaches and green hills, is in crisis. The economy has completely collapsed, with inflation of 69.8% in 2022, making basic necessities unaffordable.
Long queues for fuel, widespread power outages, and the government is up to its neck in debt exceeding 83 billion dollars.
The country has even defaulted on its debts for the first time in its history. The country’s leader has fled amidst the unrest.
Tourism, once a major source of income, has collapsed, exports have plummeted, and the population is growing increasingly angry. This crisis is far from over, and Sri Lanka may be just the beginning of a much larger collapse.
Pakistan: Political Unrest
Pakistan, a country with a large population and a rich history, is now on the brink of collapse. State reserves are dwindling and amount to only about 3 billion dollars, enough for a few weeks.
Inflation has risen to over 80%, turning food into a luxury for millions of people. The rupee has plummeted, businesses have closed, and power outages are becoming increasingly frequent.
To make matters worse, political unrest has increased. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested, leading to mass protests.
Pakistan is applying for a loan from the IMF, but at a very high price. Can Pakistan survive the next 10 years?
Afghanistan: Extreme Poverty
Afghanistan, once a land full of hope, is now the country with the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
With more than 28 million people dependent on aid, the country faces a massive economic disaster. Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, foreign assets have been frozen, central bank assets seized, and the country’s economy is almost completely paralyzed.
The Afghan economy has shrunk by 20% in a year, plunging millions of people into extreme poverty. But even worse is the looming famine. Many families are forced to sell their children to survive.
Women are also being stripped of their rights; they are not allowed to work, attend school, and in some areas, they are not even allowed to leave their homes.
Myanmar: The army is losing control
Myanmar is collapsing rapidly. Following a military coup in 2021, the country descended into chaos.
The economy is collapsing. The currency has fallen by more than 50%, inflation has risen by more than 30%, and many people have been forced to flee their homes.
This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing civil war. More than 1.5 million people are displaced, and half the population lives in poverty.
The country is isolated from the outside world, many foreign companies are withdrawing, and the army is losing control. If the fighting continues, Myanmar could well fall apart completely.
North Korea: The Worst Famine Ever
North Korea is a very closed country, and although the world knows little about it, the situation is deteriorating.
The economy is almost completely destroyed, people are starving, and the government is on the brink of despair. Reports indicate that the country is facing the worst famine in decades in 2023, with a food crisis in many regions.
Even high-ranking officials are feeling the effects. The black market is barely surviving, and many people are being arrested simply for trying to survive.
The government has even introduced a “march of suffering” as a way to cope with the crisis. It is a bleak picture of a country becoming increasingly isolated.
Lebanon: Currency Plunges
Once known as the Switzerland of the Middle East, Lebanon now lies in ruins. The value of the currency has fallen by more than 98% since 2019.
The prices of basic necessities have skyrocketed. Electricity is available for only a few hours a day, and many people cannot even withdraw money from their banks.
This is not just an economic crisis; Lebanon is also on the brink of total collapse. The country barely has a functioning government, and corruption is rampant.
Laos: Debts to China
Beautiful Laos, with its breathtaking mountains and rivers, is trapped in a deep debt burden and sky-high inflation.
The country has a debt of more than 14.5 billion dollars, a large portion of which is owed to China, which is acquiring more and more assets in Laos.
The prices of fuel and basic foodstuffs are rising dramatically, while hospitals are struggling with a shortage of medical supplies.
Even worse, Laos is facing a widespread outbreak of dengue, causing many young people and professionals to leave the country.
Bangladesh: Expensive Imports
Bangladesh, once a country with a thriving economy, is now on the brink of collapse. The currency has depreciated by more than 25%, making imported goods unaffordable.
The textile sector, once the backbone of the Bangladeshi economy, is collapsing, while frequent power outages are forcing factories to close. Amidst all this, climate change is exacerbating the situation as rising sea levels flood agricultural land.
Yemen: Divided by various groups
Yemen is trapped in an endless war. More than 24 million people in Yemen need humanitarian aid, while the value of their currency has plummeted.
The value has dropped by nearly 90%. The country is divided by various warring groups, and there is no effective government to address the crisis.
Even worse, Yemen is struggling with a water shortage, and climate change is worsening the situation. If nothing changes, Yemen could simply disappear.
Kazakhstan: Industry in trouble
Kazakhstan, a vast, oil-rich country, stands on the brink of collapse. Massive protests in 2022 shook the country, demanding change regarding social injustice and government corruption.
The Kazakh economy is heavily dependent on oil. And now, this industry is under enormous pressure. Moreover, inflation is rising enormously and relations with major powers such as Russia and China are increasingly under pressure. ***aitik
