Madagascar

The world’s fourth largest island hosts many species of animals and plants found nowhere else. But even though agriculture employs up to 80% of the workforce, the country does not grow enough food to feed its population.

• Population 24 million
  Population living on $1.90 or less 81.2%
• Life expectancy 65.1 years
• Resources vanilla, shellfish, cloves
• Literacy rate 64%
  
  Average rate in sub-Saharan Africa 59%
  
• Sources: World Bank, UN, CIA World Factbook