Why do civil wars occur more often in poorer societies?

Civil wars occur more frequently in poorer societies due to a combination of economic grievances and structural opportunities for conflict. Early political science research, such as that by Ted Gurr, emphasized that economic deprivation and income inequality drive groups to rebellion when their reality fails to meet their economic aspirations.1

More recent studies focus on the opportunities for violence rather than just grievances. Economists Paul Collier and Anke Hoeffler suggest that low economic development makes it easier to recruit insurgents because individuals have less to lose in terms of foregone income. Additionally, political scientists James Fearon and David Laitin argue that poverty is a proxy for weak state capacity, which struggles to prevent the rise of insurgencies. In these environments, the potential to profit from conflict—such as through looting or the control of natural resources—further incentivizes mobilization and increases the risk of sustained civil war.1