A light emitting diode includes an active region configured to emit light, a composite electrical contact layer, and a transparent electron blocking hole transport layer (TEBHTL). The composite electrical contact layer includes tow materials. At least one of the two materials is a metal configured to reflect a portion of the emitted light. The TEBHTL is arranged between the composite electrical contact layer and the active region. The TEBHTL has a thickness that extends at least a majority of a distance between the active region and the composite electrical contact layer. The TEBHTL has a band-gap greater than a band-gap of light emitting portions of the active region. The band-gap of the TEBHTL decreases as a function of distance from the active region to the composite electrical contact layer over a majority of the thickness of the TEBHTL.