Criteria for Classification

(division not relevant for organization)

No explicit criteria. Membership in the organization is equivalent to self-identifying as a developing country.

Follows UN-DESA 

(division not relevant for organization)

(division not relevant for organization)

“The main criteria used by the WEO to classify the world into advanced economies and emerging market and developing economies are (1) per capita income level, (2) export diversification—so oil exporters that have high per capita GDP would not make the advanced classification because around 70% of its exports are oil, and (3) degree of integration into the global financial system. In the first criteria, we look at an average over a number of years given that volatility (due to say oil production) can have a marked year-to-year effect. For the first criterion, the data source is the WEO database; for the second criterion, it is the UN COMTRADE database; and for the last criterion, it is the IMF’s Balance of Payments Statistics Database. Note, however, that these are not the only factors considered in deciding the classification of countries. As it says in the WEO Statistical Appendix, "This classification is not based on strict criteria, economic or otherwise, and it has evolved over time. The objective is to facilitate analysis by providing a reasonably meaningful method of organizing data." Reclassification only happens when something marked changes or the case for change in terms of the three criteria above becomes overwhelming.”

Follows UN-M49

The OECD does not (officially) present itself as being an organization representing ‘developed’ countries, nor is membership tied to particular 'development'-related measures (ex: GDP, GDP per capita). 

Eligibility to receive ODA can serve as a proxy for "developing countries": “all low- and middle- income countries based on gross national income per capita as published by the World Bank, except for G8 members, EU members, and countries with a firm date for entry into the EU. Membership of the OECD or the DAC does not affect eligibility to receive ODA. Several OECD members have been on the DAC List for many years and continue to receive ODA. Currently, no DAC members are on the list, but the DAC has made clear that leaving the list is not a requirement for DAC membership. Likewise, the provision of statistics to the DAC Secretariat has no bearing on a country's eligibility to receive ODA.”

(division not relevant for organization)

“For analytical purposes, the WESP [World Economic Situation and Prospects] developed classifies all countries of the world into one of three broad categories: developed economies, economies in transition and developing economies. The composition of these analytical groupings, specified in tables A, B and C, is intended to reflect basic economic country conditions, and are not strictly aligned with the regional classifications defined by the Statistics Division of UN DESA known as M49. ... Several countries (in particular the economies in transition) have characteristics that could place them in more than one category; however, for purposes of analysis, the groupings have been made mutually exclusive. Within each broad category, some subgroups are defined based either on geographical location or on ad hoc criteria, such as the subgroup of “major developed economies”, which is based on the membership of the Group of Seven.”​​

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"Designations such as “developed,” “developing", “industrialized”, “frontrunner”, “follower”, “latecomer” and “laggard” are intended for statistical  convenience and do not  necessarily express a judgment  about the state reached by a particular country or area in the development process."

"Industrialized economies include economies with adjusted manufacturing value added (MVA) per capita higher than $2,500 (international PPP) or a gross domestic product higher than $20,000. Emerging industrial economies include economies with adjusted MVA per capita ranging between $1,000 (international PPP) and $2,500 or whose share of the world MVA is higher than 0.5 percent. The list of least developed countries is based on decisions of the United Nations General Assembly. All remaining economies are included in the group “other developing economies.”

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Self-declaratory. “There are no WTO definitions of “developed” and “developing” countries. Members announce for themselves whether they are “developed” or “developing” countries. However, other members can challenge the decision of a member to make use of provisions available to developing countries”

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No direct and specific criteria have been used for the purpose of the treaty. Instead, according to Art. 20, para. 2 of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention was required to establish a list of developed country Parties and other Parties which voluntarily assume the obligations of the developed country Parties. At its 1st COP meeting it adopted a list of developed country Parties, which has been implemented since then. As and when any ambiguity arises in establishing a certain country as developing country or even as least developed country, the Secretariat uses the list from UN’s DESA.

Adopts UN-DESA

Identical to CBD

Identical to CBD

The Montreal Protocol details which countries are developing based on its Art.5 Special situation of developing countries: “1. Any Party that is a developing country and whose annual calculated level of consumption of the controlled substances in Annex A is less than 0.3 kilograms per capita on the date of the entry into force of the Protocol for it, or any time thereafter until 1 January 1999, shall, in order to meet its basic domestic needs, be entitled to delay for ten years its compliance with the control measures set out in Articles 2A to 2E, provided that any further amendments to the adjustments or Amendment adopted at the Second Meeting of the Parties in London, 29 June 1990, shall apply to the Parties operating under this paragraph after the review provided for in paragraph 8 of this Article has taken place and shall be based on the conclusions of that review. (…)”

Adopts UN-DESA

Identical to CBD

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