10 Countries Most Affected by Climate Change: Chad, Congo, and More

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Problems related to climate change have been felt worldwide, but some countries are more affected than other, for various reasons. From extreme weather to the spread of serious diseases, these climate risks are especially challenging for nations that are among the poorest and heavily dependent on agriculture. 

As a result, the connections between climate shocks and deeper issues like poverty, inequality, and hunger are becoming more apparent and harder to ignore.

According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, the list of countries most affected by climate change finds Chad, Central African Republic, and Eritrea on the very top due to their high vulnerability and limited capacity to adapt to climate challenges. Other nations experiencing similar struggles include:

1. Chad

Chad is cited as one of the countries most affected by climate change, due to its geographic location and the drying of Lake Chad. With 75% of its land covered by desert, this nation is also among the hottest and has been grappling with climate-related challenges for more than five decades. 

Since much of the population depends heavily on agriculture, the ongoing crisis—a combination of frequent floods and recurring droughts—has led to persistent poverty and widespread malnutrition.

2. Central African Republic

Ranked among the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic struggles with a combination of ongoing conflict and climate crisis. From heavy rains to drought and forest fires, these climate shocks intensify existing struggles with food insecurity and health emergencies. As to why 70% of its 4.7 million population is living in poverty, according to Oxfam America.

3. Eritrea

Located in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea’s land is mostly covered in hot desert and has experienced five major droughts within the past 15 years. At the same time, the country has faced extreme shifts in precipitation patterns for over 30 years. Combined with ongoing political challenges, these climate impacts have severely strained Eritrea’s main livelihood—agriculture.

4. Democratic Republic of Congo

Although using hardly any fossil fuels, the Democratic Republic of Congo is noted as one of Africa’s countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions largely due to deforestation and human-caused land use. Over the years, the country has faced persistent challenges such as increasingly extreme weather. 

According to Climate Change News, the DRC is even expected to experience deadly rainfall events every two years. This, therefore, is sure to affect agricultural regions and reduce food production.

5. Sudan

The heartbreaking battle with the climate crisis has sent Sudan to a handful of intensified effects, particularly on its agriculture. Extreme, unpredictable changes in temperature and rainfall eventually affects the nation’s economic standing and the overall well-being of the population. More to that, water scarcity is also another critical issue.

6. Guinea Bissau

As a low-lying coastal country, Guinea-Bissau is highly susceptible to sea-level rise, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. As 70% of the population reside along the coast, their rice production is particularly at risk, and coastal erosion poses a growing threat. Combined with rising temperatures and heat waves, recurring droughts have become a persistent natural hazard, contributing to increased poverty and worsening health like malaria.

7. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change, attributed to extreme temperatures, prolonged droughts, and flooding. Food insecurity and poverty then become evident, particularly among women who are employed more in the agriculture sector. On top of that, Afghanistan is consistently listed among the most unsafe countries in the world.

8. Mali

Located in the Sahel region of West Africa, Mali is experiencing rising temperatures and prolonged periods of drought. With agriculture covering the majority of the nation’s economy, these climate shocks make it suffer heavily to the point where poverty and food insecurity are a critical issue. 

9. Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone faces frequent and intense rainfall, leading to devastating floods, especially in urban areas where most of its people reside. With much of the population living in poverty and relying on subsistence agriculture, erratic weather patterns and degraded soil have only deepened economic hardship and health crises. And their struggle doesn’t end there, as only 40% of the population has access to electricity.

10. Madagascar

Madagascar has become one of the most visible symbols of climate-induced suffering. Severe and prolonged droughts have significantly impacted the country’s soils and forests, leading to critical challenges such as water scarcity and food insecurity. When combined with increasingly frequent typhoons, these climate shocks also destroy infrastructure and severely disrupt livelihoods.

The climate crisis does not impact all nations equally. Countries like those listed above are paying the highest price despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. 

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