Least Developed Countries (
LDCs or
Fourth World countries) are
countries which according to the
United Nations exhibit the lowest indicators of
socioeconomic development, with the lowest
Human Development Index ratings of
all countries in the world. A country is classified as a Least Developed Country if it meets three criteria
[1] based on
Countries may "graduate" out of the LDC classification when indicators exceed these criteria. The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States coordinates UN support and provides advocacy services for Least Developed Countries.
The classification currently (as of April 16, 2008) applies to 49 countries.[2]
In 2007, the United Nations graduated Cape Verde from the category of Least Developed Countries. This is only the second time it has happened to a country.[3] The first country to graduate from LDC status was Botswana in 1994. Samoa may become the third country to graduate in this manner [4], with a decision on this issue scheduled for 2008.
