UN46 

Special Report: Development Economics

Least Developed Countries: A Comprehensive Economic Overview

Analysis of 46 nations facing the world's most severe structural impediments to sustainable development, representing 1.2 billion people and spanning four continents.

Analysis by The Meridian Research Team
Updated: October 2025
18 minute read
Executive Summary

The United Nations currently designates 46 countries as Least Developed Countries (LDCs), representing the world's poorest and most economically vulnerable nations. These countries face severe structural challenges including low income, weak human assets, and high economic vulnerability. With a combined population exceeding 1.2 billion people, LDCs account for approximately 14% of the global population yet contribute less than 2% of global GDP. Average GDP per capita across LDCs remains below $1,300, compared to the global average of approximately $12,000.

46
Countries
UN-designated LDCs across 4 continents
1.2bn
Population
14% of global population
$1.3tn
Combined GDP
Just 1.8% of world economy
$1,080
GDP per capita
Average across all 46 LDCs

Country Dossiers

In-depth economic and political analysis—data-driven intelligence on nations shaping the Global South

Regional Distribution and Economic Profiles

LDCs are concentrated primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa (33 countries), with additional representation in Asia (9 countries), Pacific (3 countries), and the Caribbean (1 country). This geographical distribution reflects persistent structural challenges in specific regions, shaped by historical factors, geographical constraints, and limited economic diversification.

Africa

33 countries
643m people
$725bn combined GDP
Country Population GDP per capita Life Expectancy Primary Export
Angola 36.7m $2,042 61 years Oil, diamonds
Benin 13.7m $1,367 62 years Cotton
Burkina Faso 23.3m $876 62 years Gold, cotton
Burundi 13.2m $237 62 years Coffee, tea
Central African Rep. 5.6m $511 53 years Diamonds, timber
Chad 18.3m $609 54 years Oil
Comoros 0.9m $1,578 64 years Vanilla, cloves
Dem. Rep. Congo 102.3m $586 60 years Cobalt, copper
Djibouti 1.1m $3,414 67 years Port services
Eritrea 3.7m $625 66 years Mining
Ethiopia 126.5m $1,020 66 years Coffee
Gambia 2.8m $772 62 years Groundnuts
Guinea 14.2m $1,215 61 years Bauxite
Guinea-Bissau 2.2m $852 58 years Cashews
Lesotho 2.3m $1,118 54 years Textiles
Liberia 5.4m $677 64 years Rubber, gold
Madagascar 30.3m $515 67 years Vanilla
Malawi 20.4m $643 64 years Tobacco
Mali 23.3m $876 59 years Gold
Mauritania 4.9m $1,673 64 years Iron ore
Mozambique 33.9m $507 60 years Aluminum, coal
Niger 27.2m $590 62 years Uranium
Rwanda 14.1m $966 69 years Coffee, tea
São Tomé & Príncipe 0.2m $2,290 70 years Cocoa
Senegal 18.0m $1,607 68 years Fish, groundnuts
Sierra Leone 8.8m $527 60 years Diamonds, iron ore
Somalia 18.1m $461 58 years Livestock
South Sudan 11.9m $237 58 years Oil
Sudan 48.1m $752 65 years Gold, livestock
Tanzania 67.4m $1,192 66 years Gold, tourism
Togo 9.0m $1,046 61 years Phosphates
Uganda 48.6m $1,046 63 years Coffee
Zambia 20.6m $1,212 63 years Copper

Asia

9 countries
354m people
$426bn combined GDP
Country Population GDP per capita Life Expectancy Primary Export
Afghanistan 42.2m $368 64 years Drugs, minerals
Bangladesh 173.6m $2,457 72 years Garments
Bhutan 0.8m $3,122 71 years Hydropower
Cambodia 17.3m $1,785 69 years Garments
Laos 7.6m $2,134 68 years Copper, electricity
Myanmar 55.2m $1,207 67 years Natural gas
Nepal 30.9m $1,336 71 years Textiles
Timor-Leste 1.4m $1,381 69 years Oil & gas
Yemen 34.4m $647 66 years Oil

Pacific

3 countries
0.8m people
$14bn combined GDP
Country Population GDP per capita Life Expectancy Primary Export
Kiribati 0.1m $1,823 67 years Fish
Solomon Islands 0.7m $2,416 73 years Timber, fish
Tuvalu 0.01m $4,867 67 years Fish, .tv domain

Caribbean

1 country
11.7m people
$20bn combined GDP
Country Population GDP per capita Life Expectancy Primary Export
Haiti 11.7m $1,748 64 years Textiles, mangoes
Sources & Methodology

Data compiled from national statistical offices, World Bank World Development Indicators, IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2024), UN DESA, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and ECLAC. GDP per capita figures in current USD. Life expectancy represents latest available estimates. Population data from UN Population Division (2024 revision). Export classifications based on trade data from national customs authorities and UNCTAD. All figures verified against multiple sources where available.