Demographic outlook for the landlocked developing countries

Nearly 640 million people worldwide lived in countries or territories that lack territorial access to the sea in 2023. Most of them, 577 million, resided in landlocked countries located in the less-developed regions of the world, accounting for 7 per cent of the global population in 2023. About two thirds of the population of these landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) lived in Africa and almost one third in Asia. The remaining 4 per cent were located in South America (3 per cent) and Europe (1 per cent). Ethiopia, with more than one third of the African LLDC population, is the most populous country among LLDCs, followed by Uganda. Afghanistan is the largest LLDC in Asia, followed by Uzbekistan and Nepal. The Republic of Moldova and the Plurinational State of Bolivia are the countries with the largest LLDC populations in Europe and South America, respectively (map 3.1).

Sustainable Development Goals:

No Poverty

Zero Hunger

Decent Work and Economic Growth