LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
About LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face distinct structural challenges that can constrain meaningful connectivity, access to digital services and opportunities for digital value creation.
Our mission
Our mission is to foster partnerships and advance policies and solutions that enable LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to harness the full potential of digital technologies for sustainable development. Through ITU’s expertise and collaborative action, we work to make connectivity a catalyst for opportunity, resilience, economic transformation and social progress.
ITU mainstreams the needs of the world’s most vulnerable countries across its work, while providing targeted assistance in areas such as digital infrastructure and networks, policy and regulation, capacity development and emergency telecommunications. Through these efforts, ITU supports LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to participate fully in an increasingly digital world
Country Categories
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Some 44 countries are categorized as LDCs. Of these, 28 LDCs are located in Africa, six in Arab States, ten in Asia & Pacific, and one in the Americas.
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
Some 32 countries are categorized as LLDCs. Of these, 15 LLDCs are located in Africa, five in Asia and the Pacific, seven in CIS, two in Europe, and two in the Americas. Also, 16 LLDCs are classified as LDCs.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Among SIDS are 36 ITU Member States in addition to 21 economies. Five ITU Member SIDS are located in Africa, 1 in Arab States, 14 in Asia and the Pacific and 16 in the Americas. Eight SIDS are also classified as LDCs.
