The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact.

Detailed list of countries that classify as Third World countries, including history and definition of the term Third World and its related terms, First World and Second World.

When the term was introduced, the Third World principally consisted of the developing world, the former colonies of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. With the end of the Cold War and the …

Sep 25, 2025 · Alfred Sauvy coined "Third World" to describe nations not aligned with the First World (capitalist) or Second World (communist) during the Cold War. Today, nations are more …

When people talk about the poorest or underdeveloped countries of the world, they often refer to them with the general term Third World, and they think everybody knows what they are talking …

Sep 23, 2016 · Why are countries classified as First, Second or Third World? People often use the term “Third World” as shorthand for poor or developing nations. By contrast, wealthier …

Dec 1, 2025 · Third World Countries: A total of 44 countries in the world are considered third-world countries or least developed countries in 2025. This article is based on the classification …

Sep 30, 2021 · When you hear the term “third world” you probably think of poor countries. But “third world” was originally a term used during the Cold War. It denoted countries that were not …

Dec 25, 2024 · When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, “Third World” took on a new meaning. These days, people use it to describe countries that are less developed or still working their …

What is a third world country? The phrase “Third World” was first introduced in the 1950s as a way to describe nations that were not aligned with either the United States and its allies (the …