Landlocked developing countries

Landlocked developing countries, or LLDCs, are special groups of nations that do not touch the ocean. These countries are growing but face big challenges because they are far from the sea. Many of these places are among the poorest in the world.

Most LLDCs are in Africa, Asia, and South America. For example, Uganda and Bolivia are both landlocked and developing. In Europe, landlocked countries often do better because they are close to big markets.

Because these countries do not have a coast, trade can be harder and more expensive. Goods must travel far over land, which costs about double what it would for countries near the ocean. This makes it tricky for LLDCs to grow as fast as others.

The United Nations has a special office to help these countries. This office works to make trade easier and improve roads and railways. Meetings like the Almaty Ministerial Conference bring countries together to find solutions. In 2025, a big meeting in Turkmenistan made a plan called the Awan Programme to help LLDCs grow until 2034.

Landlocked developing countries

Landlocked Developing Countries

Africa (16 countries)

Asia (12 countries)

Europe (2 countries)

South America (2 countries)

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