For many nations, natural resources promise immense wealth and development. A rich supply of oil, minerals, or agricultural products can transform a poor country into a global player almost overnight. However, this wealth often comes with a hidden trap.
Countries that rely too heavily on these resources often neglect promoting and developing other industries. This leaves their economies vulnerable to sudden changes in global commodity prices. Also, it sometimes fuels corruption or conflict rather than helping the average citizen.
This gallery ranks 30 countries where natural resources make up the largest share of their total economic output as a percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Want to see which nations made the list? Click to explore the rankings.