LDCS

Question 1

Q1: What is a Least Developed Country (LDC)?

Answer 1

A: An LDC is a country identified by the UN as having extremely low income, weak human development (education, healthcare), and high vulnerability to economic and environmental shocks.

Question 2

Q2: How many LDCs are there and where are most of them located?

Answer 2

A: There are 44 LDCs, with 33 in Africa. Together, they represent 12% of the world’s population, but only 2% of global GDP and 1% of global trade.

Question 3

Q3: Why is the DRC considered one of the clearest examples of an LDC?

Answer 3

A: Despite massive mineral wealth, the DRC remains underdeveloped due to infrastructure failure, a violent colonial legacy, corruption, conflict, unequal trade, and commodity dependence.

Question 4

Q4: How does poor infrastructure limit development in the DRC?

Answer 4

A: The DRC has very few paved roads, and only 4 of 26 provinces are connected to the capital. This isolates regions, limits trade, and makes governance difficult.

Question 5

Q5: How has colonialism affected the DRC’s development?

Answer 5

A: Belgian colonial rule caused mass death and destruction, leaving the DRC with no trained professionals at independence and weak institutions. Post-independence kleptocracy worsened this.

Question 6

Q6: What role has corruption played in the DRC’s poverty?

Answer 6

A: Between 2007 and 2012, only 2.5% of $41 billion from mining revenue went to the state due to tax dodging and smuggling, undermining public services and state authority.

Question 7

Q7: How has conflict affected the DRC?

Answer 7

A: The DRC experienced Africa’s deadliest war (1998–2003), with 6 million deaths. Ongoing violence linked to mineral control continues to destabilise the country.

Question 8

Q8: Why are trade relations in the DRC considered unequal?

Answer 8

A: The DRC exports raw minerals that are processed and profited from by foreign TNCs. Local people see very little benefit from these exports.

Question 9

Q9: What is commodity dependence and how does it affect the DRC?

Answer 9

A: When a country relies almost entirely on raw material exports. In the DRC, over 99% of exports are raw materials, making the economy vulnerable to global price changes

Question 10

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Q10: What strategy has helped LDCs like Bangladesh and Ethiopia reduce poverty?

Answer 10

A: Economic diversification—especially through textile manufacturing—has created jobs, increased exports, and reduced poverty.

Question 11

Q11: How has investment in people helped LDCs develop?

Answer 11

A: Countries like Rwanda, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have invested in healthcare and education, building stronger human capital for long-term growth.

Question 12

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Q12: What role has renewable energy played in LDC development?

Answer 12

A: Bhutan and Laos developed hydropower, achieving energy independence and exporting electricity, helping diversify their economies.

Question 13

Q13: How has tourism supported development in some LDCs?

Answer 13

A: Countries like Bhutan have used eco-tourism to boost income while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.

Question 14

Q14: Which country successfully controlled its natural resources to fuel development?

Answer 14

A: Botswana—formerly an LDC—used good governance to retain profits from diamonds and invest them in national development.

Question 15

Q15: What strategies have proven less beneficial for LDCs?

Answer 15

A:
• Over-reliance on commodity exports
• Allowing foreign companies to dominate resource extraction
→ These strategies often trap countries in poverty and conflict.