Bangladesh receives UN recommendation for graduation from LDC status after fulfilling the LDC graduation criteria for the second consecutive time.
Frequently Asked Questions2020-11-09T05:24:47+00:00
Who are LDCs?2020-11-07T07:17:31+00:00

Least Developed Countries or LDCs are those countries which are below the threshold of Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, Human assets Index (HAI) and Economic vulnerability index (EVI) set by the United Nations. LDCs are usually low-income countries confronting severe structural impediments to sustainable development.

When the LDC Group was created?2020-11-07T07:18:00+00:00

The first group of LDCs was listed by the United Nations in its resolution 2768 (XXVI) of 18 November 1971.

How Many LDCs are there?2020-11-07T07:05:10+00:00

Currently, there are 47 countries on the list of LDCs.

When Bangladesh was first listed as an LDC?2020-11-07T07:16:19+00:00

Bangladesh was first listed as an LDC back in 1975.

What are the criteria for identification of LDCs?2020-11-07T07:33:46+00:00

The identification of LDCs is currently based on three criteria:
(a) GNI per capita
(b) Human assets index (HAI)
(c) Economic vulnerability index (EVI)

How a country can be eligible for graduation?2020-11-07T08:05:24+00:00

To be eligible for graduation, a country must meet graduation thresholds for at least two of the aforementioned three criteria, or its GNI per capita must exceed at least twice the threshold level.

To be recommended for graduation, a country must be found eligible at two successive triennial
reviews by the CDP.

The Committee for Development Policy (CDP), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is mandated to review the category of LDCs every three years and monitor their progress after graduation from the category.

How many countries have graduated so far?2020-11-07T08:06:41+00:00
So far, only five countries have graduated from LDC status:

  • Botswana (1994)
  • Cabo Verde (2007)
  • The Maldives (2011)
  • Samoa (2014)
  • Equatorial Guinea (2017)
How Bangladesh met the graduation criteria?2020-11-07T08:10:02+00:00

In recent years, Bangladesh has been widely recognized as a remarkable achiever in the field of socioeconomic development. As a result, Bangladesh has been able to formally meet all the criteria for graduation for the first time in the CDP’s latest triennial review held on March 12-16, 2018.

What are the Differences Between LDC and Middle-Income Country Categories?2020-11-07T08:12:08+00:00

What’s next for Bangladesh?2020-11-07T08:15:13+00:00

What would happen after Bangladesh graduates?2020-11-07T08:48:09+00:00
Graduation from LDC status may result in:

  • Better country image, self-reliance and self-dignity at the global stage
  • Better credit rating for the country and wider credit access to the global financial market
  • Greater investment opportunities including increased foreign direct investment and greater access to non-traditional financing
  • Greater access to global job market
  • Greater voice in the regional and global decision making
How Bangladesh is preparing for graduation?2020-11-07T08:49:31+00:00
  • A National Task Force (NTF) has been formed to steer and guide the process of graduation
  • UNDESA and UNCTAD have undertaken a pilot project for conducting the Early Impact Assessment and Vulnerability Profile for Bangladesh upon the request of the government.
  • A core group has been formed to review developments including various studies related to graduation as well as to support the NTF
  • ERD has initiated a project titled ‘Smooth and Sustainable Graduation Project’ to provide technical support in facilitating sustainable graduation
  • South Center in Geneva is conducting a research on the potential impact of graduation on Bangladesh’s pharmaceuticals industry
  • Bangladesh is playing a leading role in voicing the common concerns of the graduating LDCs in the international arena.
  • A range of local and national level campaign programs are being organized to raise awareness about graduation at the grassroot level with relevant key stakeholders
How the Global Community can Support Sustainable Graduation?2020-11-07T09:40:13+00:00
  • Sustainable graduation is closely interlinked with SDGs
  • LDCs are also hardest hit by the impacts of climate change
  • Existing LDC-specific International Support Measures (ISMs), easy access to technology and knowledge need to be continued until SDG implementation by 2030
  • A new innovative incentive package in addition to the existing ISMs needs to be developed for attaining the SDGs by 2030
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