Least developed country

Least Developed Country (LDC)

Least Developed Country (LDC) (pronunciation: /li:st dɪˈvɛləpt ˈkʌntri/), is a term used in the field of international development to describe a country with the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.

Etymology

The term "Least Developed Country" was first used by the United Nations in 1971 to identify those countries which are highly disadvantaged in their development process.

Definition

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a Least Developed Country is characterized by weak human and economic development. This includes low Gross National Income (GNI), weak human assets and high economic vulnerability.

Criteria

The UNDP uses three criteria to identify LDCs:

1. Low-income criterion, based on a three-year average estimate of the GNI per capita.
2. Human assets weakness, as measured through the Human Development Index (HDI).
3. Economic vulnerability, as measured through the Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI).

Related Terms

• Developing Country
• Third World Country
• Emerging Market
• Global South
• Poverty
• Economic Development

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Least developed country
• Wikipedia's article - Least developed country

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