Priyanka Roshan | November 11, 2025
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Some places on Earth see almost no rain all year. From North Africa’s golden dunes to Arabia’s scorching deserts, these countries redefine what “dry” truly means.
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Here’s a look at the 10 driest countries in the world, ranked by annual rainfall, where innovation, resilience, and sheer adaptability help life thrive against the odds.
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Egypt gets barely 18 mm of rain yearly. Beyond the Nile’s lifeline, most of the country’s vast Sahara stretches remain bone dry year after year.
1. Egypt Avg. Annual Rainfall: 18 mm/year
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Nearly all of Libya lies within the Sahara. Occasional showers bless Jebel Akhdar, but underground fossil aquifers and the Great Man-Made River sustain life.
2. Libya Avg. Annual Rainfall: 56 mm/year
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The Arabian desert kingdom sees about 59 mm of rain yearly. Desalination plants and rare winter storms keep cities thriving amid vast, sun-baked plateaus.
3. Saudi Arabia Avg. Annual Rainfall: 59 mm/year
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Qatar’s arid terrain receives minimal rain. Short, heavy showers occasionally flood streets, while desalination plants and careful water management meet the country’s daily needs.
4. Qatar Avg. Annual Rainfall: 74 mm/year
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With just 78 mm of annual rainfall, the UAE combats dryness through cloud seeding, desalination, and sustainable innovation, making its desert cities surprisingly green.
5. United Arab Emirates Avg. Annual Rainfall: 78 mm/year
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Rain is a rarity in Bahrain. With groundwater nearly depleted, desalination provides most freshwater while modern cityscapes shimmer under relentless desert sunshine.
6. Bahrain Avg. Annual Rainfall: 83 mm/year
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Most of Algeria is engulfed by the Sahara. Rain mainly touches the northern coast, while ancient oases and underground aquifers support scattered desert communities.
7. Algeria Avg. Annual Rainfall: 89 mm/year
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Mauritania sits on the edge of the Sahara, receiving barely 92 mm of rain yearly. Life endures around sparse oases and the fertile Senegal River valley.
8. Mauritania Avg. Annual Rainfall: 92 mm/year
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Jordan’s red deserts and ancient landscapes receive scarce rain. Limited winter showers feed northern highlands, while smart conservation helps cities overcome chronic water shortages.
9. Jordan Avg. Annual Rainfall: 111 mm/year
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Kuwait gets roughly 121 mm of rainfall a year, mostly in winter. Despite its aridity, advanced desalination keeps this desert nation well-hydrated and thriving.
10. Kuwait Avg. Annual Rainfall: 121 mm/year