Sources: UN-OHRLLS, UNCTAD, World Bank (2023-2024 data).
Under the , a landlocked state is defined as one with no sea-coast. This includes countries bordering "landlocked seas" like the Caspian Sea (e.g., Kazakhstan), as these bodies of water do not provide direct access to the world’s oceans. About Landlocked Developing Countries - the United Nations un landlocked countries
Despite progress under the Vienna Programme (e.g., improved customs in East Africa), no LLDC has fully overcome its geographical disadvantage without strong regional integration. The UN continues to advocate for legally binding transit agreements and increased aid-for-trade flows. Sources: UN-OHRLLS, UNCTAD, World Bank (2023-2024 data)
The UN recognizes that lacking territorial sea access creates structural disadvantages: About Landlocked Developing Countries - the United Nations
Landlocked status directly hinders progress on:
| Region | Countries (Examples) | Key Transit Neighbors | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | (16) | Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe | South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania | | Asia (12) | Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan | China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam | | Europe (14) | Austria, Belarus, Czechia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland | Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Ukraine | | South America (2) | Bolivia, Paraguay | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru |