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Least developed countries

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Least developed countries (designated by theUNas of 2023)
Former least developed countries

Theleast developed countries(LDCs) aredeveloping countrieslisted by theUnited Nationsthat exhibit the lowest indicators ofsocioeconomicdevelopment.The concept of LDCs originated in the late 1960s and the first group of LDCs was listed by theUNin its resolution 2768 (XXVI) on 18 November 1971.[1]

A country is classified among the Least Developed Countries if it meets three criteria:[2][3]

  • Poverty– adjustable criterion based onGross national income(GNI) per capita averaged over three years. As of 2018,a country must have GNI per capita less thanUS$1,025 to be included on the list, and over $1,230 to graduate from it.
  • Human resourceweakness (based on indicators ofnutrition,health,educationand adultliteracy).
  • Economic vulnerability(based on instability of agricultural production, instability of exports of goods and services, economic importance of non-traditional activities, merchandise export concentration, handicap of economic smallness, and the percentage of population displaced bynatural disasters).

As of December 2023, 45 countries were still classified as LDC, while seven graduated between 1994 and 2023.[4]TheWorld Trade Organization(WTO) recognizes the UN list and says that "Measures taken in the framework of the WTO can help LDCs increase their exports to other WTO members and attract investment. In many developing countries, pro-market reforms have encouraged faster growth, diversification of exports, and more effective participation in the multilateral trading system."[5]

Overview[edit]

Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day
G33 countries:a coalition ofdeveloping countriesin regards to agriculture.

LDC criteria are reviewed every three years by theCommittee for Development Policy(CDP) of theUN Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC). Countries may be removed from the LDC classification when indicators exceed these criteria in two consecutive triennial reviews.[6]TheUnited Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States(UN-OHRLLS) coordinates UN support and provides advocacy services for Least Developed Countries. The classification (as of December 2020) applies to 46 countries.[4]

At the UN's fourth conference on LDCs, which was held in May 2011, delegates endorsed a goal targeting the promotion of at least half the current LDC countries within the next ten years.[7]As of 2018, ten or more countries were expected to graduate in 2024, withBangladeshandDjiboutialready satisfying all criteria in 2018.[8]

There is one country which presently meets the criteria and two countries which previously met the criteria for LDC status, but declined to be included in the index, questioning the validity or accuracy of the CDP's data:Ghana(no longer meets criteria as of 1994),Papua New Guinea(no longer meets criteria as of 2009), andZimbabwe.[9]

Usage and abbreviations[edit]

Further information:Developing country § Criticisms of the term

Least developed countries can be distinguished fromdeveloping countries,"less developed countries", "lesser developed countries", or other similar terms.

The term "less economically developed country" (LEDC) is also used today. However, in order to avoid confusion between "least developed country" and "less economically developed country" (which may both be abbreviated as LDC), and to avoid confusion withlandlocked developing country(which can be abbreviated as LLDC), "developing country" is generally used in preference to "less-developed country".

During a United Nations review in 2018, the UN defined LDCs as countries meeting three criteria, one of which was a three-year average estimate ofgross national income(GNI) per capita of less than US$1,025.[10]

UN conferences[edit]

Deputy Foreign Minister of GreeceSpyros Kouvelisat the 4th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries

There were five United Nations conferences on LDCs, held every ten years. The first two were inParis,in 1981 and 1991; the third was inBrusselsin 2001.

The Fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) was held inIstanbul,Turkey,on 9–13 May 2011. It was attended byBan Ki-moon,the head of theUN,and close to 50 prime ministers and heads of state. The conference endorsed the goal of raising half the existing Least developed countries out of the LDC category in 2022. As with theSeoul Development Consensusdrawn up in 2010, there was a strong emphasis on boosting productive capability and physical infrastructure, with several NGOs not pleased with the emphasis placed on the private sector.[7][11]

Trade[edit]

Issues surrounding global trade regulations and LDCs have gained a lot of media and policy attention thanks to the recently collapsedDoha RoundofWorld Trade Organization(WTO) negotiations being termed a development round. During the WTO'sHong Kong Ministerial,it was agreed that LDCs could see 100 percent duty-free, quota-free access to U.S. markets if the round were completed. But analysis of the deal by NGOs found that the text of the proposed LDC deal had substantial loopholes that might make the offer less than the full 100 percent access, and could even erase some current duty-free access of LDCs to rich country markets.[12][13]Dissatisfaction with these loopholes led some economists to call for a reworking of theHong Kongdeal.[citation needed]

Chiedu Osakwe, as of 2001 the Director, Technical Cooperation Division at the Secretariat of the WTO, and adviser to the Director-General on developing country matters, was appointed as the WTO Special Coordinator for the Least Developed Countries beginning in 1999.[14]He worked closely with the five other agencies that together with the WTO constitute the Integrated Framework of action for the Least Developed Countries. They addressed issues of market access, special and differential treatment provisions for developing countries, participation of developing countries in the multilateral trading system, and development questions, especially the interests of developing countries in competition policy.[15]At the28th G8 summitinKananaskis, Alberta,Canadian Prime MinisterJean Chrétienproposed and carried the Market Access Initiative, so that the then 48 LDCs could profit from "trade-not-aid".[16]Additionally, the United NationsSustainable Development Goal 14advocates for an effective special and differential treatment of LDCs as integral parts of WTO fisheries subsidies negotiation.[17]

List of countries[edit]

The following 45 countries were still listed as least developed countries by the UN as of December 2023:[18]Afghanistan,Angola,Bangladesh,Benin,Burkina Faso,Burundi,Cambodia,Central African Republic,Chad,Comoros,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Gambia,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Haiti,Kiribati,Laos,Lesotho,Liberia,Madagascar,Malawi,Mali,Mauritania,Mozambique,Myanmar,Nepal,Niger,Rwanda,São Tomé and Príncipe,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Solomon Islands,Somalia,South Sudan,Sudan,Timor-Leste,Togo,Tuvalu,Uganda,Tanzania,Yemen,andZambia.

By continent or region[edit]

There are 33 countries that are classified as least developed countries inAfrica,eight inAsia,three inOceania,and one in theAmericas.

The list of "least developed countries" according to theUnited Nationswith some that are categorized into thelandlocked developing countriesand theSmall Island Developing States:[19]

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

Delisted countries (graduated countries)[edit]

The three criteria (human assets, economic vulnerability and gross national income per capita) are assessed by theCommittee for Development Policyevery three years. Countries must meet two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews to be considered for graduation. The Committee for Development Policy sends its recommendations for endorsement to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).[23]

After the initiation of the LDC category, seven countries graduated todeveloping countrystatus. The first country to graduate from LDC status wasBotswanain 1994. The second country wasCape Verdein 2007.[24]Maldivesgraduated todeveloping countrystatus at the beginning of 2011,Samoain 2014,[6][25]Equatorial Guineain 2017,[26]Vanuatuin December 2020,[27] andBhutanin December 2023.[28]

The following countries are no longer categorized in the "least developed countries" group:

Countries expected to graduate soon[edit]

  • São Tomé and Príncipewill leave the category in December 2024.[23]
  • Bangladeshmet the criteria twice, once in 2018 and again in 2021. The country will officially graduate from LDC status in November 2026, two years after it was supposed to, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[35]
  • LaosandNepalwill graduate in November 2026.[36]The latter was originally selected to graduate to developing country status in 2018. However, the authorities of Nepal requested to postpone graduation until 2021.[37]Graduation was later pushed back an additional five years.
  • Solomon Islandswill graduate in December 2027.[38]
  • Cambodiamet the criteria in 2021 and was originally expected to graduate in 2027, but this was later postponed to ensure a smooth transition.[39]
  • Comoros,Djibouti,SenegalandZambiacould graduate from LDC status in 2027 at the earliest.[38]
  • Rwanda,UgandaandTanzaniamet the graduation criteria for the first time during 2023-2024. They could be recommended for graduation in 2027.[40][41][42]
  • Angolawas expected to graduate in 2021, but the preparatory period was extended by three years because of the economic difficulties of the country and its dependence on commodities.[43]Graduation was further postponed in December 2023, without any specific timeline.[44]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Identification of the least developed among the developing countries"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-07-09.Retrieved2011-01-12.
  2. ^"Criteria For Identification Of LDCs".United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,Development Policy and Analysis Division.Retrieved2018-03-02.
  3. ^UN-OHRLLSCriteria for Identification and Graduation of LDCsArchived2019-07-25 at theWayback Machine.
  4. ^ab"LDCs at a Glance".Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 25 May 2008.Retrieved2020-12-04.
  5. ^"Doha WTO Ministerial 2001: Briefing Notes Least Developed Countries – Towards free market access for least-developed countries".World Trade Organization.
  6. ^ab"Graduation from the LDC category".United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,Development Policy and Analysis Division. 5 March 2010.Retrieved2018-03-02.
  7. ^ab"Goal to halve number of LDCs in next 10 years".The Guardian.2011-05-06.Retrieved2011-05-13.
  8. ^Wang, Brian (11 June 2018)."Ten Fewer Least Developed Countries by 2024".nextbigfuture.Retrieved21 December2018.
  9. ^United Nations (October 2018).Handbook on the least developed country category: inclusion, graduation, and special support measures(Third ed.). New York.ISBN978-92-1-104692-2.OCLC1088728737.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^"Criteria For Identification Of LDCs".United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,Development Policy and Analysis Division. 4 March 2010.Retrieved2018-03-02.
  11. ^"Least developed countries: UN conference endorses ambitious plan to lift millions out of poverty".The Guardian.2011-05-13.Retrieved2011-05-13.
  12. ^"Public Citizen | Global Trade Watch | Global Trade Watch – Hot Issue June 21 – Study shows WTO's Doha Round proposal would leave many poor countries worse off".Citizen.org.Retrieved2014-07-28.
  13. ^"How Hong Kong Empowers Rich Countries to Choke LDCs"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2011-04-01.Retrieved2006-07-26.
  14. ^World Trade Organization,"Moore announces key appointments for development issues",1999 Press Releases, Press/136, 13 September 1999
  15. ^Osakwe, Chiedu,"Are WTO Members wrestling an octopus, did they set their sights too high?",DAC News November–December 2005,Development Assistance Committee,OECD.
  16. ^Vasil, Adria."NOW Toronto:" Roots runs away: Beaver-clad clothier blames feds' Africa trade aid for west-end plant closure "(February 12-19, 2004, VOL 23 NO 24 Vasil)".Stage81.nowtoronto. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-07-14.Retrieved2014-07-28.
  17. ^"Goal 14 targets".UNDP.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-09-30.Retrieved2020-09-24.
  18. ^UN (2021)List of Least Developed Countries (as of 24 November 2021)
  19. ^"LDCs at a Glance".United Nations Development Policy & Analysis Division.2008-05-25.Retrieved2019-01-03.
  20. ^abcdefghijklmnopAlso alandlocked developing country
  21. ^abcdefAlso aSmall Island Developing State
  22. ^"Least Developed Country Category: Bangladesh Profile | Department of Economic and Social Affairs".United Nations.25 December 2015.Archivedfrom the original on Mar 29, 2024.
  23. ^ab"It's official and historical – three more countries will graduate from the LDC category".Development Policy & Analysis Division.United Nations. 2018-12-13.Retrieved2019-01-03.
  24. ^"UN advocate salutes Cape Verde's graduation from category of poorest States".United Nations News Centre.14 June 2007. Archived fromthe originalon Dec 2, 2017.
  25. ^"Samoa To Gain Developing Country Economic Status in January 2014".UN-OHRLLSviaRadio Australia.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-10-17.Retrieved2015-08-09.
  26. ^"Least Developed Country Category: Equatorial Guinea Profile".United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,Development Policy and Analysis Division. 2018.Retrieved21 December2018.
  27. ^ab"Vanuatu graduates from least developed country status".United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.2020-12-04.
  28. ^ab"Bhutan graduation status".United Nations.Retrieved13 December2023.
  29. ^"UN Handbook on the LDC Category"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 2017-02-07.Retrieved2014-07-28.
  30. ^""About Sikkim" from the Government of Sikkim's website ".Sikkim.gov.in. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-05-25.Retrieved2014-07-28.
  31. ^abc"Istanbul forum offers chance to recommit to helping world's poorest nations".United Nations.2011-01-10.Retrieved2014-07-28.
  32. ^Ashton, Melanie (20 June 2012)."UN-OHRLLS Announces Samoa to Graduate from LDC Status".IISD's SDG Knowledge.Retrieved2017-11-24.
  33. ^"Equatorial Guinea Graduates from the LDC Category".United Nations.4 June 2017.Retrieved7 November2017.
  34. ^Mira Patel (2023-03-13)."How Bhutan graduated from the 'Least Developed Country' status".The Indian Express.
  35. ^Byron, Rejaul Karim; Mirdha, Refayet Ullah (2021-02-28)."Becoming A Developing Nation: Bangladesh reaches A Milestone".The Daily Star.Retrieved2021-08-17.
  36. ^"U.N. General Assembly graduates Bangladesh, Nepal to developing countries bloc".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved2021-11-26.
  37. ^"Nepal braces for graduation from an LDC".UNDP in Nepal.
  38. ^ab"Countries approaching graduation and already graduated".United Nations.
  39. ^Mathew, Manoj (April 22, 2024).""Cambodia gears up for LDC graduation challenges"".Khmer Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  40. ^"United Republic of Tanzania graduation status".United Nations.Retrieved2024-06-06.
  41. ^"Rwanda graduation status".United Nations.Retrieved2024-06-06.
  42. ^"Uganda graduation status".United Nations.Retrieved2024-06-06.
  43. ^"Extension of the preparatory period preceding the graduation of Angola from the least developed country category".undocs.org.2021-02-04.
  44. ^"List of Least Developed Countries (as of 13 December 2023)"(pdf).Committee for Development Policy.United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.Retrieved2024-06-21.

External links[edit]

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