World Bank says 26 poorest countries in worst financial shape since 2006

FILE PHOTO: An atrium is seen at the World Bank headquarters building in Washington, U.S., October 14, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world's 26 poorest countries, home to 40% of the most poverty-stricken people, are more in debt than at any time since 2006 and increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and other shocks, a new World Bank report showed on Sunday.

The report finds that these economies are poorer today on average than they were on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the rest of the world has largely recovered from COVID and resumed its growth trajectory.