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Least Developed Countries Report

UNCTAD´s Least Developed Countries Report provides a comprehensive and authoritative source of socio-economic analysis and data on the world´s most impoverished countries. The Report is intended for a broad readership of governments, policy makers, researchers and all those involved with LDCs´ development policies. Each Report contains a statistical annex, which provides basic data on the LDCs.

Series Status: 
Active
Subject: 
Economic and Social Development
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2022

The Least Developed Countries Report 2022

The Low-carbon Transition and Its Daunting Implications for Structural Transformation

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
9 Dec 2022
LDCs, which bear the least historical responsibility for climate change, are on the front lines of the climate crisis. The Report highlights the development strategies and policies which they need to enact to reach the ambitious objectives to which they have committed, and the painful trade-offs ...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2021

The Least Developed Countries Report 2021

The Least Developed Countries in the Post-covid World – Learning From 50 Years of Experience

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
22 Oct 2021
This publication takes stock of 50 years of development experience since the establishment of the LDC category in 1971. Most LDCs growth has been erratic, and they have not closed the income gap with other developing countries. This stems largely from the inefficacy of domestic and international ...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2020

The Least Developed Countries Report 2020

Productive Capacities for the New Decade

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
18 Dec 2020
“[This Report] highlights the importance of public investment for LDCs to address their short-term needs. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive support for meso-level policies for productive capacity development in the context of addressing structural constraints and building the resilien...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2019

The Least Developed Countries Report 2019

The Present and Future of External Development Finance - Old Dependence, New Challenges

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
19 Nov 2019
This report provides a comprehensive source of socio-economic analysis and data on the world's most impoverished countries. It calls for least developed countries (LDCs) to ensure that external finance from all sources is directed to national development priorities, and urges the international co...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2018

The Least Developed Countries Report 2018

Entrepreneurship for Structural Transformation - Beyond Business as Usual

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
18 Dec 2018
For Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, they need to transform the structure of their economy. This, in turn, requires entrepreneurship that innovates. The entrepreneurial landscape in LDCs is dominated by micro and small enterprises with low ch...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2017

The Least Developed Countries Report 2017

Transformational Energy Access

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
17 Jan 2018
This report focuses on the role of access to modern energy in economic structural transformation - a critical issue both for the least developed countries (LDCs) and for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report focuses on the particular circumstances, challenges and experiences of ...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2016

The Least Developed Countries Report 2016

The Path to Graduation and Beyond: Making the most of the process

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
3 Jan 2017
Graduation is the process through which least developed countries (LDCs) cease to be members of the LDC category, in recognition of their advances in development. In principle, it marks a shift from dependency to a greater degree of self-sufficiency and emergence from the development "traps" whic...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2015

The Least Developed Countries Report 2015

Transforming Rural Economies

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
4 Dec 2015
This report documents the importance of the rural sector and agriculture in least developed countries (LDCs), through employment generation and economic activity. The discussion is placed in the perspective of the post-2015 development agenda, in which rural economic transformation will be vital ...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2014

The Least Developed Countries Report 2014 - Growth with Structural Transformation: A post-2015 Development Agenda

Growth with Structural Transformation: A post-2015 Development Agenda

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
2 Jan 2015
As we reach the target date to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the LDC Report analyses the performance of the LDCs in progressing towards these goals and provides a framework for their development policies in the post-2015 period. The Report shows that there is a high degree of diff...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2013

The Least Developed Countries Report 2013 - Growth with Employment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Growth with Employment for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
15 Dec 2013
The Least Developed Countries Report 2013 analyses the employment challenge of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Demographic projections indicate that around 225 million people in LDCs will be entering the labour force until 2030. Hence, creating sufficient and decent employment opportunities...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2012

The Least Developed Countries Report 2012

Harnessing Remittances and Diaspora Knowledge for Productive Capacities

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
15 Feb 2013
This Report reviews the LDCs' recent economic performance and examines how to enhance developmental impact of remittances and tap into the knowledge pool of its citizens abroad. Given the increasing magnitude of remittances in LDCs, the Report explores both the beneficial as well as possible adve...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2011

The Least Developed Countries Report 2011

The Potential Role of South-South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
16 Oct 2012
In light of the current economic difficulties facing traditional development partners and the non-sustainable and non-inclusive nature of performance of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) over the last decade, LDC governments need new development paths to tap into dynamic growth poles in the So...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2010

The Least Developed Countries Report 2010

Towards a New International Development Architecture for LDCs

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
23 Dec 2010
This report calls for the creation of a new international development architecture (NIDA) for the LDCs aimed at: a) reversing their marginalization in the global economy and helping them in their catch-up efforts; b) supporting a pattern of accelerated economic growth and diversification to impro...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2009

The Least Developed Countries Report 2009

The State and Development Governance

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
15 Aug 2009
The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are a group of countries that have been classified by the United Nations as least developed in terms of their low GDP per capita, their weak human assets and their high degree of economic vulnerability. This Report argues that the impact of the global economic...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2008

The Least Developed Countries Report 2008

Growth, Poverty and the Terms of Development Partnership

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
28 Jul 2008
This report assesses recent trends in growth and poverty in the least developed countries (LDCs), as well as changes in terms of development partnership. It discusses the fact that rapid economic growth in the LDCs has been associated with a slow rate of poverty reduction and slow progress toward...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2007

The Least Developed Countries Report 2007

Knowledge, Technological Learning and Innovation for Development

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
10 Aug 2007
The Least Developed Countries are a group of 50 countries that have been identified as “least developed” in terms of their low GDP, their weak human assets and their high degree of economic vulnerability. The 2007 edition of the Report focuses on national and international policies that promote k...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2006

The Least Developed Countries Report 2006

Developing Productive Capacities

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
28 Jul 2006
The Least Developed Countries are a group of 50 countries which have been identified as “least developed” in terms of their low GDP per capita, their weak human assets and their high degree of economic vulnerability. The 2006 Report focuses on the development of productive capacities for sustaina...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2004

The Least Developed Countries Report 2004

Linking International Trade with Poverty Reduction

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
16 Jul 2004
This annual report reviews recent economic trends in the least developed countries (LDCs), focusing on their efforts to escape the poverty trap. The 2004 edition, examines the relationship between international trade and poverty within LDC’s, and identifies national and international policies tha...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2002

The Least Developed Countries Report 2002

Escaping the Poverty Trap

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
26 Jul 2002
The Least Developed Countries Report 2002 is in two parts. The first part reviews recent economic trends and assesses the progress in the 1990s towards fulfillment of development targets contained in the Programme of Action adopted by the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Cou...
DEV PLANNING MARKET ECON

Development Planning in a Market Economy

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
14 Jun 2002
The economy of Cambodia is at a cross-road. A measure of political stability has been restored after years of turmoil. This provides an environment for determined efforts to accelerate economic development. At the same time, the country is in a process of transition from a centralized, command-or...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 2000

The Least Developed Countries Report 2000

Aid, Private Capital Flows and External Debt - The Challenge of Financing Development in the LDCs

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
10 Nov 2000
What the world's poorest countries need most is not simply debt relief, but a 'New Deal' in international development cooperation, contends UNCTAD in its Least Developed Countries 2000 Report. Almost two thirds of the 48 least developed countries (LDCs) have an external debt burden, which is unsu...
ENHANCING EFFECTIVENESS OF AID

Enhancing Effectiveness of Aid

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
21 Jul 2000
The least developed countries (LDCs) in the Asia and the Pacific region rely heavily on aid, which comprises the largest component of their external finance. However, in view of declining external assistance from official sources and structural limitations of these countries in attracting foreign...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1999

The Least Developed Countries Report 1999

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
25 Feb 2000
As the twentieth century drew to a close, it became clear that the least developed countries (LDCs) had generally failed to derive appropriate benefits from the ongoing processes of liberalization and globalization. This report examines the recent economic developments and outlook in the LDCs; re...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1998

The Least Developed Countries Report 1998

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
4 Dec 1998
The main focus of the 1998 Least Developed Countries Report, is an analysis of how different aspects of the multilateral trading system affect opportunities and constraints, for least developed countries (LDCs) to enhance their participation in the world economy. The Report examines the evolving ...
OVERCOMING INSTITUTIONAL CONSTRAIN

Overcoming Institutional Constraints to Implementing Macroeconomic Policies

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
8 May 1998
Among the constraints that have inhibited the implementation of sound macroeconomic policies, limited economic reform and deterred the pace of economic growth are those embedded within the structure and functioning of the macroeconomic institutional frameworks. This publication presents the findi...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1997

The Least Developed Countries Report 1997

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
26 Sep 1997
Intended for a broad readership of governments, policy makers, researchers and all those involved with the least developed countries (LDCs) and development policy, this in-depth Report examines economic developments in the LDCs during 1996 and discusses prospects for 1997. It's coverage also incl...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1996

The Least Developed Countries Report 1996

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
14 Jun 1996
Reviews recent socio-economic development in the least developed countries (LDCs) and the progress in the implementation of support measures. Chapters deal with such issues as possibilities of further debt-relief, role of micro-enterprises and the role of women and environmental problems in the L...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1995

The Least Developed Countries Report 1995

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
4 Oct 1996
Reviews recent socio-economic developments in the least developed countries (LDCs) and the progress in the implementation of support measures. The discussion deals with such issues as: socio-economic developments and policy reforms, agricultural performance, the manufacturing sector, transport an...
LEAST DEV CTRIES RPT 1993/94

The Least Developed Countries Report 1993 - 1994

Series:
Least Developed Countries Report
24 Jun 1994
Reviews recent socio-economic developments in the least developed countries (LDCs) and the progress in the implementation of support measures. Chapters deal with such issues as: possibilities of further debt-relief, role of micro-enterprises, role of women and environmental problems in the LDCs.