Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized least developed countries (LDCs) as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons.

LDCs face more than other countries the risk of deeper poverty and remaining in a situation of underdevelopment. More than 75 per cent of the LDCs' population still live in poverty.

These countries are also characterized by their vulnerability to external economic shocks, natural and man-made disasters and communicable diseases. As such, the LDCs are in need of the highest degree of attention from the international community.

Currently, the 47 LDCs comprise around 880 million people, 12 per cent of the world population, which face severe structural impediments to growth. However, the LDCs account for less than 2 per cent of world GDP and around 1 per cent of world trade.

Least Developed Countries  

Four United Nations Conferences on the LDCs were held in: 1981, 1990, 2001 and 2011. The Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries adopted the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 - the so-called Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA).

 
 

 News

 
Flag of Mauritius
07 May 2019UNCTAD, Mauritius open fisheries regional centre of excellence
Centre will bring together experts, researchers and policymakers from least developed countries and other African and Asian countries to develop their fisheries sectors.
Goal 14
22 January 2019Learning to scale fisheries for better livelihoods
Least developed countries are finding out from Viet Nam how fisheries sector opportunities can transform their economies.
SDG 9
20 November 2018World's poorest countries must nurture dynamic businesses
UNCTAD's Least Developed Countries Report 2018 examines how the world's most disadvantaged countries can foster entrepreneurship to create jobs and help end poverty.
TDB
06 June 2018Energy is ‘golden thread’ linking development goals, says UN deputy
Amina J. Mohammed, the United Nations deputy secretary-general, said access to modern, clean energy is the common denominator underpinning most Sustainable Development Goals.
TDB 65th
06 June 2018UN deputy launches powerful tool for least developed countries
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who was instrumental in bringing about the Sustainable Development Goals, praises UNCTAD’s integrated approach to policy advice for LDCs.
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 Events and Meetings

 
 

 Documents and Publications

 
Selected Sustainable Development Trends in the least developed countries 2019 (UNCTAD/ALDC/2019/1)
12 Apr 2019, 4911.8 KB
Statistical Tables on the Least Developed Countries - 2018 (UNCTAD/LDC/2018/Stats)
17 Dec 2018, 11367.0 KB
The Least Developed Countries Report 2018 - Entrepreneurship for structural transformation: Beyond business as usual (UNCTAD/LDC/2018)
20 Nov 2018, 23488.2 KB
Handbook On Duty-Free and Quota-Free Market Access and Rules of Origin For Least Developed Countries [Part I: QUAD Countries] (UNCTAD/ALDC/2018/5 (Part I))
09 Oct 2018, 6407.7 KB
Handbook on Duty-Free and Quota-Free Market Access and Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries [Part II: Other Developed Countries and Developing Countries] (UNCTAD/ALDC/2018/5 (Part II))
09 Oct 2018, 6120.4 KB
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