Revies of progresg in tnplenentation et lbe country lgYellcz Introduction l. It !'aa noted uith seriqls concern that srnce the adoption in 198I of thE Subatantial Nee Proqradre of Actlon for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countries there has been a significant deterioratton in the overall socio-economic sltuation of the least develoPed countries the cauges of ehich lrere both external. and donestic. The economic crisis had a depressinq effect on the three nalor sources of foreign exchange of the least developed countries: export earnings, concessional capital floos and private transfers, ?he historlcally hiqh real ineerest rates prevailinq during the past years have increased the interest obligations on their external debt' This situation eas eorsened by verlr adverse clinatic conditions in nany least developed countries, Particularly in Africa, {hich have caused decllnes in aqricultural and food production. There has also been uneven implenentation of dooestic golicv changea that Eere required for sociat and econonic deeelopnent. 2. Thus. as a result of all these factors, after gro*ina at a lou average annual rate of close to 4 per cent in the 1970s and by 3 per cent in the first year of the present decade, the least developed countries as a group recotded a gror.th rate in gross domest ic prodrrct (GDP) in 1982 anal 1983 of only 2 per cent. since poPulaeion incEeased at the tigh rate of 2'5 per cent' in 1982 and 1983 tbeir GDP per capita declined. Provisional indicators shoe a poor picCure for 1984 in ehich the African crisis cane to a climax' affecting alnosc all African least developed countries' Preliminary estinates for 1985 point to$ards a virtuaL stagnation or decline of GDP for the qroup of least developed coontries ag a thole, ohich would nean a considerable reduction per
**Analysis**
The text discusses the socio-economic situation of least developed countries, highlighting the decline in GDP per capita, economic crisis, and external debt. It also mentions the impact of climate change and uneven implementation of domestic policies. The focus is on the overall economic and social development of these countries, making it likely that the category is related to economic development.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade