An attempt was made to identify the development status of all countries that produce mineral raw materials. The different producer countries were classified according to international standards considering in particular UNCTAD and IIASA classifications. The classification has been adopted for statistical convenience only.
Important note: The designations "developing" and "developed" are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process. Where the designations "economy" or "country" appear in tables, they cover countries, territories, cities and areas.
Developed, developing countries:
According to OECD GLOSSARY OF STATISTICAL TERMS
There is no established convention for the designation of "developed" and "developing" countries or areas in the United Nations system. In common practice, Japan and Korea South in Asia, Canada and the United States in northern America, Australia and New Zealand in Oceania and Europe are considered "developed" regions or areas. In international trade statistics, the Southern African Customs Union is also treated as developed region and Israel as a developed country; countries emerging from the former Yugoslavia are treated as developed countries; countries of Eastern Europe and former USSR countries in Europe are treated as developed countries; and former USSR countries in Asia are treated as developing countries. For detailed list of developed and developing countries see
https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm
Source: United Nations. Standard country or Area Codes for Statistical Use. Series M, No. 49, Rev. 4 (United Nations publication, Sales No. M.98.XVII.9).
Least Developed Countries:
According to OECD GLOSSARY OF STATISTICAL TERMS
According to the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Committee for Development Policy, countries listed below are included in the list of the least developed countries (year in brackets indicates the inclusion in the group):
Africa: Angola (1994), Benin (1971), Burkina Faso (1971), Burundi (1971), Central African Republic (1975), Chad (1971), Comoros (1977), Congo, D.R. (1991), Djibouti (1982), Eritrea (1994), Ethiopia (1971), Gambia (1975), Guinea (1971), Guinea-Bissau (1981), Lesotho (1971), Liberia (1990), Madagascar (1991), Malawi (1971), Mali (1971), Mauritania (1986), Mozambique (1988), Niger (1971), Rwanda (1971), Sao Tome and Principe (1982), Senegal (2000), Sierra Leone (1982), Somalia (1971), South Sudan (2012), Sudan (1971), Tanzania (1971), Togo (1982), Uganda (1971), Zambia (1991)
Asia and the Pacific: Afghanistan (1971), Bangladesh (1975), Bhutan (1971), Cambodia (1991), Kiribati (1986), Laos P.D.R. (1971), Myanmar (1987), Nepal (1971), Solomon Islands (1991), East Timor (2003), Tuvalu (1986), Yemen (1971)
Latin America and the Caribbean: Haiti (1971)
Source: United Nations. Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS). United Nations Internet site https://www.un.org/ohrlls
Economies in Transition:
According to UNCTAD HANDBOOK OF STATISTICS (2021) the category "Economies in Transition" is no longer used. As of 2022 Asean countries of this former category are treated as developing countries and European countries are treated as developed countries.
Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Europe: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Ukraine
