The fifth edition of the Handbook on the Least Developed Country Category provides comprehensive information on the least developed country (LDC) category, including a description of procedures and methodologies used in the identification of these countries and the international support measures available to them. It builds upon and updates the previous edition, published in 2021. The Handbook aims at providing comprehensive and up-to-date information on the LDC category. The publication is intended for use by government officials, policymakers, researchers and others interested in the LDC category.

The category of the least developed countries (LDCs) was established in 1971 as a special group of developing countries characterized by a low income level and structural impediments to growth, and requiring special measures for dealing with those problems. The Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has been actively engaged in the establishment of the least developed country category and has since become highly recognized for its expertise in the identification of these countries. This revised edition of the Handbook on the Least Developed Country Category builds upon and updates information made available in a previous edition released in October 2015. It further underscores the Committee’s dedication to making the methods and approaches used in the identification of least developed countries known to a wider audience of stakeholders and all those interested in finding solutions to the development challenges faced by these countries.

The present Handbook contains a comprehensive explanation of the criteria, procedures and methodology used in establishing which countries are eligible for inclusion in, or recommended for graduation from, the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category. It also provides an overview of the special support measures that can be derived from having least developed country status and the implications of graduating from the list in terms of the potential loss of such measures. The Handbook aims at promoting a better understanding of the LDC category and the benefits derived from membership therein. Accordingly, the publication is intended for use by government officials, policymakers, researchers and others interested in the particular development problems and challenges faced by low-income developing countries.