GNI Per Capita & Income Thresholds

What you need to know:

For the current 2016 fiscal year, low-income economies are defined as those with a GNI per capital, calculated using the World Bank atlas, of $1,045 or less in 2014; Middle-income economies are those with a GNI per capita of more than $1,045 but less than $12,736; High-income economies are those with a GNI per capita of $12,736 or more. Lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income economies are separated at a GNI per capita of $4,125

By Mashine Milimo

According to World Bank, Kenya is the only country in EAC with an upper middle gross national income (GNI) per capita of $1,245, by 2014 followed by Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda with GNI per capita of $1,045, $660 and $650 respectively. At last place in the region is Burundi with $270.

The World Bank has used a specific measure of economic development - GNI per capita - for the purpose of ranking and classifying countries for over 50 years.

It probably comes as no surprise that today Kenya is on top while Burundi is still at the bottom while Tanzania and Uganda are creeping to the upper in middle position.