Third World Countries

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Table

Introduction

“Third World” is a term that was used during the Cold War to describe countries that were not aligned with either the capitalist First World or the communist Second World. The term has since fallen out of use as it was deemed derogatory and simplistic.

Nonetheless, some countries that were historically referred to as “Third World” include Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, China, Congo, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Countries in the Third World

CountryThird Word CountryHuman Development IndexHDI Tier
AfghanistanYes0.48 Low Human Development
AngolaYes0.59 Medium Human Development
BangladeshYes0.66 Medium Human Development
BeninYes0.53 Low Human Development
BhutanYes0.67 Medium Human Development
Burkina FasoYes0.45 Low Human Development
BurundiYes0.43 Low Human Development
CambodiaYes0.59 Medium Human Development
CameroonYes0.58 Medium Human Development
Cape VerdeYes0.66 Medium Human Development
Central African RepublicYes0.4 Low Human Development
ChadYes0.39 Low Human Development
ComorosYes0.56 Medium Human Development
Democratic Republic of the CongoYes0.48 Low Human Development
DjiboutiYes0.51 Low Human Development
East TimorYes0.61 Medium Human Development
El SalvadorYes0.68 Medium Human Development
Equatorial GuineaYes0.6 Medium Human Development
EritreaYes0.49 Low Human Development
EthiopiaYes0.5 Low Human Development
Federated States of MicronesiaYes0.63 Medium Human Development
GhanaYes0.63 Medium Human Development
GuatemalaYes0.63 Medium Human Development
GuineaYes0.47 Low Human Development
Guinea-BissauYes0.48 Low Human Development
HaitiYes0.54 Low Human Development
HondurasYes0.62 Medium Human Development
IndiaYes0.63 Medium Human Development
Ivory CoastYes0.55 Medium Human Development
KenyaYes0.58 Medium Human Development
KiribatiYes0.62 Medium Human Development
LaosYes0.61 Medium Human Development
LesothoYes0.51 Low Human Development
LiberiaYes0.48 Low Human Development
MadagascarYes0.5 Low Human Development
MalawiYes0.51 Low Human Development
MaliYes0.43 Low Human Development
Marshall IslandsYes0.64 Medium Human Development
MauritaniaYes0.56 Medium Human Development
MozambiqueYes0.45 Low Human Development
MyanmarYes0.59 Medium Human Development
NamibiaYes0.62 Medium Human Development
NepalYes0.6 Medium Human Development
NicaraguaYes0.67 Medium Human Development
NigerYes0.4 Low Human Development
NigeriaYes0.54 Low Human Development
PakistanYes0.54 Low Human Development
Papua New GuineaYes0.56 Medium Human Development
Republic of the CongoYes0.57 Medium Human Development
RwandaYes0.53 Low Human Development
SenegalYes0.51 Low Human Development
Sierra LeoneYes0.48 Low Human Development
Solomon IslandsYes0.56 Medium Human Development
South SudanYes0.39 Low Human Development
SudanYes0.51 Low Human Development
SyriaYes0.58 Medium Human Development
São Tomé and PríncipeYes0.62 Medium Human Development
TanzaniaYes0.55 Low Human Development
The GambiaYes0.5 Low Human Development
TogoYes0.54 Low Human Development
TuvaluYes0.64 Medium Human Development
UgandaYes0.53 Low Human Development
VanuatuYes0.61 Medium Human Development
YemenYes0.46 Low Human Development
ZambiaYes0.57 Medium Human Development
ZimbabweYes0.59 Medium Human Development
EswatiniYes0.6 Medium Human Development

Third World Countries vs Developing Countries

It’s important to note that the term “Third World countries” is a controversial term because it is often used to categorize nations based on their economic, social, and political status. The term has its origins in the Cold War era when countries were classified as either capitalist first-world nations, communist second-world nations, or non-aligned third-world nations. However, since then, the term has taken on a negative connotation and is seen as stigmatizing and demeaning to developing countries. It reinforces the idea of a hierarchy of nations, with developed countries at the top and developing countries at the bottom. Instead of using the term “Third World,” it is preferred to use terms like “developing countries,” “less developed countries,” or “low- and middle-income countries” to avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes and to acknowledge the diversity and complexity of these nations.

Third World Countries

Third world countries are often characterized by their low levels of economic development, political instability, and poor infrastructure. These countries are typically located in regions of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and are frequently associated with poverty, undernourishment, and disease. While there is no single definition of what constitutes a third world country, the term is generally used to describe nations that are struggling to catch up with the more prosperous and developed nations of the world.

One of the main challenges facing third world countries is the issue of poverty. These nations often lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to provide their citizens with basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Poverty in these countries is often compounded by issues such as conflict, corruption, and weak governance, which can make it difficult for these nations to develop and grow economically. Despite these challenges, many third world countries have made significant strides in recent years, with some experiencing steady economic growth and improving living standards.

Another key issue facing third world countries is the lack of access to education and healthcare. Many of these nations struggle to provide their citizens with basic education and healthcare services, which can have a long-term impact on their ability to break the cycle of poverty.
Additionally, access to clean water and sanitation remains a major challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Countries by HDI

Afghanistan

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#12

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Afghanistan is a developing nation that was formally classified as a third world country during the Cold War. It has faced significant challenges related to political instability, poverty, and insecurity in the past, including decades of conflict and the recent Taliban takeover. The country's economy has been largely dependent on agriculture and the illegal drug trade, with limited infrastructure and low levels of education and healthcare access. The recent Taliban takeover has further complicated Afghanistan's path towards development, with many concerns around human rights and the prospects for peace and stability in the country. While the future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, the country will need to address a range of economic, social, and political challenges in order to move towards greater stability and development in the years ahead.

Angola

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#44

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Bangladesh

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#63

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Benin

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#25

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Bhutan

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#65

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Burkina Faso

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#8

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Burundi

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#5

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Cambodia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#45

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Cameroon

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#41

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Cape Verde

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#64

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Central African Republic

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#4

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Chad

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#2

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Comoros

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#35

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#13

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Djibouti

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#21

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

East Timor

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#50

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

El Salvador

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#67

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

El Salvador is a Central American country that was considered a third world country during the Cold War. Today, it is classified as a developing nation and has made significant progress in economic and social development over the past decades. However, El Salvador still faces challenges such as inequality, poverty, and crime rates that hinder its development. The country is also vulnerable to natural disasters, which can have severe consequences on its economy and population.

Equatorial Guinea

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#47

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Eritrea

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#16

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Eswatini

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#48

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Ethiopia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#17

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Ethiopia was a third world country during the Cold War. The country's economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, which was often affected by droughts and other environmental factors. In addition, Ethiopia was plagued by political instability, civil unrest, and conflict with neighboring countries. However, since the end of the Cold War, Ethiopia has made significant progress in terms of economic development and political stability. The country has diversified its economy and made strides in areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Federated States of Micronesia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#58

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Ghana

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#59

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Guatemala

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#57

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Guatemala is a country located in Central America that was categorized as a third world country during the Cold War. Today, Guatemala is considered a developing nation and has made progress in areas such as economic growth and poverty reduction. However, the country still faces significant challenges, including high levels of inequality, violence, and corruption. Guatemala has a large indigenous population that has historically faced discrimination and exclusion from political and economic participation. Additionally, the country is prone to natural disasters, which can have a severe impact on its economy and society.

Guinea

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#10

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Guinea-Bissau

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#15

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Haiti

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#28

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Haiti is a Caribbean nation that was classified as a third world country during the Cold War. Today, Haiti is considered one of the least developed countries in the world, and is still facing significant challenges such as political instability, extreme poverty, environmental degradation, and natural disasters. The country has a troubled history of political instability, with numerous coups and political crises that have hindered economic growth and social development. The 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 have also left a lasting impact on the country's infrastructure and economy. Haiti has made some progress in recent years in terms of improving access to education and healthcare, but much work remains to be done to overcome the country's numerous challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Honduras

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#55

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

During the Cold War, Honduras was part of the group of countries referred to as the Third World. Today, it is classified as a developing country, with a mixed economy that is heavily reliant on agriculture and manufacturing. The country has made progress in reducing poverty and improving its human development indicators, but it still faces challenges such as inequality, political instability, and high levels of violence and crime.

India

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#60

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

India was commonly categorized as a third world country during the Cold War, due in part to its position as a non-aligned nation in the global power struggle. However, since then, India has undergone significant economic and social changes, and is now considered to be a rapidly developing nation with one of the world's fastest-growing economies. The country has made strides in reducing poverty, improving healthcare, and expanding access to education, and has emerged as a major player in industries such as information technology, manufacturing, and services. Despite these advancements, India still faces challenges related to income inequality, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability, among other issues. Nevertheless, India's growing middle class and dynamic entrepreneurial culture continue to drive economic growth and innovation, positioning the country as a key player in the global economy.

Ivory Coast

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#33

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Kenya

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#40

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Kiribati

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#56

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Laos

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#51

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Lesotho

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#24

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Liberia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#14

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Madagascar

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#19

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Malawi

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#23

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Mali

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#6

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Marshall Islands

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#61

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Mauritania

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#34

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Mozambique

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#7

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Myanmar

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#43

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Namibia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#53

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Nepal

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#49

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Nicaragua

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#66

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Niger

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#3

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Nigeria

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#29

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Nigeria was considered a third world country during the Cold War. Today, it is the largest economy in Africa and classified as a developing nation by the World Bank. The country has a rapidly growing population and is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas. However, Nigeria faces a number of challenges that can hinder development, such as corruption, political instability, poverty, and a lack of basic infrastructure. The government has implemented various policies and initiatives to address these issues, such as expanding access to education and healthcare, improving infrastructure, and increasing investment in agriculture and manufacturing. Nigeria is also working to diversify its economy beyond its reliance on oil exports and promote entrepreneurship and innovation. While progress has been made in some areas, Nigeria still faces significant challenges related to inequality, security, and environmental sustainability, which must be addressed in order to achieve sustained economic growth and development.

Pakistan

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#31

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Pakistan was a member of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War and was therefore considered a Third World country. Today, Pakistan is classified as a developing country, with a rapidly growing economy that is heavily reliant on agriculture and textiles. Despite its recent economic growth, however, Pakistan still faces challenges such as poverty, corruption, and political instability.

Papua New Guinea

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#36

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Republic of the Congo

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#39

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Rwanda

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#27

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

São Tomé and Príncipe

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#54

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Senegal

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#22

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Sierra Leone

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#11

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Solomon Islands

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#37

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

South Sudan

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#1

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Sudan

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#20

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Syria

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#42

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Tanzania

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#32

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

The Gambia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#18

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Togo

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#30

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Tuvalu

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#62

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Uganda

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#26

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Vanuatu

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#52

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Yemen

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#9

HDI Tier

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Low Human Development

Zambia

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#38

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

Zimbabwe

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Third Word Country

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Yes

Ranked in the World

#46

HDI Tier

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Medium Human Development

FAQs

What is a third world country ?

A third world country is a term used to describe countries that were not aligned with either the capitalist First World or the communist Second World during the Cold War. These countries tend to be located in regions of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and are often characterized by their low levels of economic development, political instability, and poor infrastructure.

Is Mexico a third world country ?

During the Cold War era, Mexico was commonly categorized as a third world country due to its position as a non-aligned nation in the global power struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, Mexico is considered to be a developing nation, with a diversified economy and a growing middle class.

Is India a third world country ?

India was classified as a third world country during the Cold War, but today it is considered to be a rapidly developing nation, with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a rapidly expanding middle class.

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