Which category does a failed state belong to?

A failed state is categorized as a state actor, as it retains formal state structures such as governments, territories, and populations, but it lacks the ability to effectively govern and maintain order. The term refers to a country that experiences a breakdown in social, political, and economic stability, leading to a loss of control over its territory and a diminished capacity to provide services to its citizens. This classification emphasizes the significance of the state's lack of functionality rather than its existence as a formal state.

Since failed states are still considered state actors, they differ from non-state actors, which include entities like international organizations, NGOs, and terrorist groups that operate outside the framework of sovereign states. Core states and transition states refer to other categories within international relations that denote stability and development potential, contrasting with the characteristics of failed states.