How many countries are landlocked?

A landlocked country is a country entirely enclosed by land, or whose coastlines lie on endorheic basins (which do not drain into a sea). Being landlocked presents a unique set of challenges for these nations, particularly in terms of trade, transport, and access to resources like fisheries and maritime industries.

Number of Landlocked Countries

As of 2024, there are 45 fully landlocked countries in the world. These countries are spread across various continents, but the majority are located in Africa and Europe. Notably, there are also 5 partially recognized states or de facto countries that are landlocked, bringing the total number to 50 when these territories are included.

Distribution by Continent

The landlocked countries are distributed across continents as follows:

1. Africa has the highest number of landlocked countries, with 16 nations.
2. Europe comes next, with 14 landlocked countries.
3. Asia has 12 landlocked countries.
4. South America has only 2 landlocked countries.
5. North America has just 1 landlocked country.
6. Oceania has no landlocked countries.

Challenges Faced by Landlocked Countries

1. Economic Disadvantages

Being landlocked can create significant economic challenges, particularly because these countries lack direct access to sea ports. This absence results in increased transportation costs for exports and imports, as goods must be transported through neighboring countries to reach maritime ports. A study by the United Nations in 2023 found that landlocked countries generally have 20% higher trade costs compared to coastal nations.

2. Dependence on Neighbors

Landlocked countries depend heavily on their neighbors for trade and connectivity to the rest of the world. For instance, Bolivia, landlocked since losing its coastline in the War of the Pacific in 1884, relies on Chilean ports for access to the Pacific Ocean. This dependence often leaves landlocked nations vulnerable to diplomatic or trade disputes.

3. Limited Access to Resources

Countries that are landlocked do not have access to significant marine resources, such as fisheries or offshore oil. This can limit economic diversification and development. Countries like Mongolia and Kazakhstan must rely more heavily on their mineral and natural resource reserves due to their lack of coastal access.

4. Infrastructure Challenges

Because of the geographical constraints, landlocked countries often need to invest heavily in infrastructure such as roads, railways, and logistics hubs to facilitate trade. For instance, Ethiopia, one of Africa’s landlocked nations, has invested in rail and road infrastructure to access ports in neighboring Djibouti.

Some Notable Landlocked Countries

• Switzerland: Despite being landlocked, Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Its central location in Europe and robust transport networks allow it to maintain significant economic activity, particularly in finance and trade.
• Uzbekistan: One of the only double landlocked countries in the world, Uzbekistan is surrounded by other landlocked countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan). This geographical limitation adds complexity to trade logistics.
• Kazakhstan: The largest landlocked country by area, Kazakhstan has leveraged its oil and natural gas reserves to maintain a relatively strong economy. Although it lacks a coastline, it is an important hub for trade routes, including the Belt and Road Initiative.

Double Landlocked Countries

Only two countries in the world are double landlocked, meaning they are surrounded entirely by landlocked countries. These are:

1. Liechtenstein: Situated between Switzerland and Austria, both of which are landlocked.
2. Uzbekistan: Surrounded by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.

Being double landlocked further exacerbates the logistical challenges faced in trade and transport. Goods must pass through at least two other countries to reach a coastline.

Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)

The United Nations classifies 32 of the world’s landlocked countries as Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). These nations face particularly high levels of economic hardship due to their lack of direct sea access, limited infrastructure, and lower levels of economic development. Many of these countries are located in Africa and Central Asia. The Vienna Programme of Action (2014-2024) by the UN aims to address the specific needs of these countries by improving trade facilitation, transport infrastructure, and regional cooperation.

Some Landlocked Countries with Special Access to the Sea

Some landlocked countries have secured special agreements with coastal neighbors for access to the sea. For example:

• Lesotho, entirely surrounded by South Africa, uses South Africa’s ports for trade.
• Nepal relies on India for port access, with specific transit agreements in place.
• Rwanda has agreements with Kenya for using the port of Mombasa.

These agreements help landlocked countries reduce the costs and logistical challenges of trading internationally, though they still face dependency on their neighbors’ infrastructure and political stability.

The Unique Case of Bolivia

Bolivia is a unique example of a landlocked country that lost its coastline in war. After the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), Bolivia lost its access to the Pacific Ocean to Chile. This has had lasting effects on Bolivia’s economy, particularly in terms of limiting its export capabilities. Despite being landlocked, Bolivia has a navy, which patrols its inland rivers and Lake Titicaca, in part as a symbol of its unresolved historical grievance.

Trade Routes and International Cooperation

To overcome their geographical limitations, many landlocked countries participate in international trade routes and organizations. The Trans-African Highway Network is one example of efforts to improve transportation across Africa, benefiting countries like Uganda, Mali, and Zambia. Similarly, initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative in Asia and Europe are designed to facilitate trade through better rail and road connections, helping landlocked nations such as Kazakhstan and Mongolia become central transit hubs.

Landlocked countries face a unique set of challenges, including economic disadvantages, dependency on neighbors, and infrastructure limitations. However, many have found ways to overcome these challenges through international cooperation, infrastructure development, and strategic economic policies. Understanding the realities of being landlocked provides insight into the complexities of global trade, geography, and economic development.