---
title: "IUCN Red List: Threatened Species Categories"
description: "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assesses extinction risk for global species, guiding conservation efforts and informing policy decisions."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/iucn-red-list"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is a global inventory that assesses the extinction risk of species against standardized quantitative criteria.
- How does the IUCN Red List differ from CITES?
- What are the nine IUCN Red List categories?
- What does Data Deficient mean, and why does it matter?
- Is the IUCN Red List legally binding on governments?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is a global inventory that assesses the extinction risk of species against standardized quantitative criteria.

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