Which Are the 12 Landlocked Countries in Asia?

Asia is home to 48 countries, with unique geographies and cultural identities. Out of 48 countries, 12 are counted as landlocked which don’t have direct access to water but play a crucial role in the regional and international dynamics. Being landlocked doesn’t mean the country has no access to large bodies of water. Many of them have freshwater lakes, rivers, or endorheic basins. Moreover, Asian landlocked countries possess distinct features and historical significance, as well as provide crossroad trade and geopolitics. In this article, we will dive into details to explore more about Asian landlocked countries.

List of the 12 Landlocked Countries in Asia

Here is the list of 12 landlocked countries in Asia.

1. Afghanistan 

2. Armenia 

3. Azerbaijan 

4. Bhutan 

5. Laos 

6. Kazakhstan 

7. Kyrgyzstan 

8. Mongolia 

9. Nepal 

10. Tajikistan 

11. Turkmenistan 

12. Uzbekistan

1. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multiethnic landlocked country, situated at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. The country was previously known as the “Heart of Asia” because of its strategic location. It is bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Uzbekistan to the north, Turkmenistan to the northwest, Iran to the west, Tajikistan to the northeast, and China to the northeast and west. This country occupies a land area of over 652,864 square kilometers. Afghanistan holds an estimated population of 43 million, as of 2023 statistics. 

Its landscape is predominantly mountainous with plains in the north and the southwest, separated by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The country’s capital and largest city is Kabul. The government system of Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic, the chief of state and the head of government is the President. However, Taliban ruled 75% of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, and regained control in 2021. For Regional Cooperation, the country is a member of the South Asian Association. The nearest coast from it lies along the Arabian Sea, about 300 miles to the south. The isolation and volatile political history of Afghanistan make it the world’s poorest country.

In 2021, around 20.7% GDP contraction was recorded in Afghanistan. Moreover, the country’s economy contracted further by 6.2% in 2022. The trade balance of this landlocked country showed a deficit of 5.16 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Afghanistan’s GDP per capita was estimated as 355.78 USD, in the year of 2021.  

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2. Armenia

In the South Caucasus region of the Caucasus, Armenia is an Asian landlocked country. Geographically, it lies in West Asia within the Armenian Plateau. The country is bounded by Georgia and Azerbaijan to the north and east, whereas on the south and west by Iran, Azerbaijan’s exclave Nakhchivan, and Turkey. It covers a land area of about 29,743 square kilometers with a total population of 2.78 million. 

Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. Its capital city is also a financial center. The country’s terrain is mostly mountainous along with fast-flowing rivers and breathtaking forests. The climate condition in Armenia is highland continental, with hot summers, and cold winters. At Mount Aragats, its land rises to 13,420 ft above sea level. Armenia is a Parliamentary Democratic Republic. In the country, the executive and head of the government is Prime Minister while the state’s head is President.

Armenia’s trade balance was recorded as $-0.19B in 2022, a 82% decline from 2021, and $-1.09B for 2021, 13.38% decline from 2020. Its GDP per capita was estimated as 7,018.05 USD in 2022. 

3. Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is situated at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. The country is a part of the South Caucasus region. It is covered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia’s Republic of Dagestan to the north, Iran to the south, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Georgia to the northwest. Azerbaijan holds 10.14 million people and is spread over 86,600 square kilometers of land. 

This Asian landlocked country has a coastline of 173 km on the Caspian Sea but no access to open sea. The capital city of Azerbaijan is Baku. Its landscape comprises lowlands, beautiful terrains, mountain ranges, and several canals. The country’s government remains involved in the structural economic system to boost its economy. Azerbaijan is considered as an upper-middle income nation for possessing a high level of economic development and literacy. Its economy relies on oil and gas, accounting for 90% of all exports. In 2022, the GDP per capita of Azerbaijan was recorded as 7,762.07 USD.  

4. Bhutan 

Bhutan is nestled deep in the Himalayas between the two powerful countries, China and India, also officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan. The country can be divided into three regions from north to south, the Great Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Duars Plain. It covers a land area of 38,394 square kilometers while holding over 727,145 people. Bhutan ranks 133 in the world based on land area, while 160th in population. Thimphu is the capital city. 

Its impressive landscapes consist of monasteries and fortresses, covering fertile valleys of the Himalayas, interconnected bridges, plains, and plateaus. The country is a constitutional monarchy with a king as the state’s head and a prime minister as the head of government. The Thimphu valleys and Paro town are considered the political nucleus of Bhutan. This Asian landlocked country is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

As of 2021 statistics, Bhutan’s GDP per capita was recorded as 3,560.20 USD. However, it is predicted to be $12,776 International Dollars at the end of 2024. The annual growth rate of the economy has been increasing by 5.3% since the last four years. The country’s trade to GDP ratio was 0.00% for 2022, a 78% decline from 2021. 

5. Laos 

Laos stands out as the only landlocked country in South Asia. It is officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Cambodia to the southeast, Vietnam to the east, and Thailand to the west and southwest. The country spreads over an area of 236,800 square kilometers. More than 7.4 million people live here. 

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos and lies in the northeast of the Mekong River. It has a membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia Pacific Trade Agreement, and East Asia Summit. The country’s landscape contains mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries.

Laos’ economy relies largely on Foreign direct investment to attract capital from overseas. The combined trade value of the country’s imports and exports were estimated around 15.5 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 3.5% from 2022. Its GDP per capita was recorded at 2659.72 U.S. dollars in 2023.

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6. Kazakhstan 

Kazakhstan is considered as the largest landlocked country in the world, situated in Central Asia. It borders Uzbekistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the southwest, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, Russia to the north, and the coastline of the Caspian Sea to the west. The country is extended over 2,724,900 square kilometers and is declared the world’s ninth-largest country by landmass. Astana is its capital city, whereas Almaty city is the commercial and cultural hub. 

The country’s population density is low, holding 20 million people. Kazakhstan consists of plains and hilly plateaus which make up nearly half, lowlands which account for one-third huge expanse, and low mountainous range of about one-fifth of its highest point. Two uplands such as Aral Karakum, and Greater Barsuki desserts made the country’s landscape more diverse.   

Kazakhstan has an export-oriented economy, which is dependent on oil and related products. The country’s GDP growth rate was 3.20% for 2022, a decline of 1.1% from 2021. Its GDP per capita was recorded as 11,492.03 USD, in 2022. 

7. Kyrgyzstan 

Kyrgyzstan is one of the Asian landlocked countries. It lies in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges, in Central Asia. Bishkek is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. The country is bordered by Uzbekistan to the west, Kazakhstan to the north, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east and southeast. The current population of Kyrgyzstan is about 6.975 million. It covers an area of over 199,900 square kilometers. 

The country’s landscape consists of the rugged mountain-and-basin structure, the high alpine plateau, separated from Fergana Valley by the Fergana range. Bishkek is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. The country is enriched with natural resources of gold, rare earth metals, exploitable coal, oil, gas, and other deposits such as nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc.

Kyrgyzstan’s GDP was recorded as $44 billion, at the end of 2023. The country’s economy has grown about 6.2% in 2023, following a 9% expansion in 2022. Its GDP per capita was 1,655.07 USD in 2022. 

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8. Mongolia 

Mongolia is also a landlocked country in East Asia. It is bounded by China to the South, and Russia to the north. Mongolia spreads over an area of 1,564,116 square kilometers. The total population of the country is estimated at 3.5 million. Mongolia can be divided into three major topographic zones including, the mountain chains, the basin areas, and the enormous upland plateaus belt. The population density makes it the world’s most sparsely populated sovereign state. 

Mongolia’s capital and largest city is known as Ulaanbaatar, where half of the population lives together. Most of the country’s landscape is covered by grassy steppes, mountains from north to west, and the Gobi desert to the south. In the country, a semi-presidential multi-party representative democracy exists, where the prime minister holds the head position of the cabinet and government. People of Mongolia experience a continental climate with short winters, and hot summers.

According to the 2024 index, Mongolia’s economy is considered as moderately free. Its trade to GDP ratio was estimated as 136.13% for 2022, an increase of 17.23% from 2021. The country’s GDP per capita was recorded at 5,045.50 USD in 2022. 

9. Nepal 

Nepal is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. It is a landlocked country in South Asia, mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also covers parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The country is bordered by China to the north, and India to the south, east, and west. Nepal covers a land area of 147, 181 square kilometers. According to 2022 statistics, the total population of the country was recorded at about 30.55 million. 

The Siliguri Corridor separates it from Bangladesh, while the Indian State of Sikkim has parted it narrowly from Bhutan. Kathmandu is Nepal’s largest and capital city. This Asian country is a multilingual, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural state. However, the official language of the people is Nepali. 

The country implements a multi-party system, in which the prime minister is the head of government, and the president holds the position of state’s head. The landscape of Nepal consists of subalpine forested hills, fertile plains, and the world’s tallest mountain, famous as Mount Everest.

As of 2022 statistics, the country’s GDP per capita was 1,336.55 USD. The trade growth of Nepal is recorded as 34.93%, compared to a world growth of 12.59%. However, the country had a staggering trade imbalance of NPR 1.454 trillion from 2022 to 2023. 

10. Tajikistan 

Tajikistan is a landlocked country, located in the heart of Central Asia. Dushanbe is its capital and most populated city. Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, China to the east, and Kyrgyzstan to the north. The Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan separates it from Pakistan. 

While spanning over an area of 143,100 square kilometers, Tajikistan’s population was recorded as 9.953 million people in 2022. The capital city of Tajikistan is Dushanbe. Its landscape consists of a mountain of the Pamir range, lowlands of the north, as well as Vakhsh and Kufarnihon valleys of the south.

In 2023, the economy of Tajikistan grew by 8.3%. Its GDP per capita was recorded as 1,054.19 USD, as of 2022 statistics. The country registered a trade-to-GDP ratio of 80.3% in the year of 2021. 

11. Turkmenistan 

Turkmenistan is also considered a landlocked country, in Central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Afghanistan to the east, the Caspian Sea to the west, Iran to the south and southwest, and Uzbekistan to the north, east, and northeast. With a total population of 7 million, it ranks 35th among the most-populous countries in the world. 

Turkmenistan expanded over the land of about 491, 210 square kilometers. The country most part is covered by the Karakum desert, bounded by the Paropamyz Plateau, the Ustyurt Plateau to the north, the Kopet Dag Range to the south, the Koytendag Range to the east, and the Caspian Sea to the west.

The balance of trade in Turkmenistan has averaged 2209.58 million USD from 1992 to 2022. Its GDP per capita was recorded as 8,792.55 USD, as of 2022 statistics. The country’s economy remains dominated by state-owned monopolies, based on intensive agriculture, oil resources, and reserves of natural gas. 

12. Uzbekistan

The Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country, surrounded by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. It is one of the two doubly landlocked countries on Earth. Uzbekistan spreads up to 448,900 square kilometers while holding a population of 35.65 million. Its capital and largest city is Tashkent. Out of the country’s total land, 80% occupies plains, deserts, and lowland areas.   

Natural resources and energy are the main source of this country’s economy. As of 2022 statistics, the recorded GDP per capita was 2,255.15 USD. The trade balance of Uzbekistan was $-13.70B for 2022, an increase of 19.32% from 2021. 

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Conclusion

Landlocked countries have no territories with direct access to the ocean. The nation with no border to the ocean indirectly gains access by allying with a neighboring nation that isn’t landlocked.

Asia is the largest continent across the globe. The world’s map consists of 197 countries, of which 48 are Asian. It is a land of diverse nations, having different geographical identities, vibrant cultures, and rich histories. There are 12 countries in the continent, which have no coastline as they are landlocked. From Afghanistan to Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Uzbekistan, each country comprises a unique modernity and heritage. Besides their geographical restrictions, these Asia landlocked countries are playing an important role in geopolitics and regional dynamics.

FAQ’s

What are the Benefits of a Landlocked Country?

The greatest benefit for a landlocked country is, sheltered from harsh water conditions and natural hazards such as flooding, hurricanes, and tsunami.

Which is The Biggest Landlocked Country in Asia?

Kazakhstan is the biggest as well as an important country in Asia. It has many natural resources including gas, minerals, and oil.

Is There a Country in Asia That is Doubly Landlocked? 

Yes. There are two countries in the world which are doubly landlocked. Uzbekistan, an Asian country, is one of them while the other is Liechtenstein.

Which Country Is Most Educated in Asia?

According to the 2024 statistics, South Korea has a literacy rate of 97.9%, considered as the most educated country in Asia. 

What Is The Right of the Landlocked Country?

Under the United States Convention on the Law of Seas (UNCLOS), landlocked countries are facilitated with access to water via the transit state.