---
title: "What is third world?"  
description: "A concise explanation of the reason behind the existence of the third world"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-11-16  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3259/what-is-third-world  
category: "world war i"  
tags: ["third world", "countries", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is third world?

![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/af0889b5-2992-4c96-b82d-711b95770b48.jpeg) ![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/5ee91694-0f15-4c60-b2d8-d01bb4aad1f3.jpeg) "Third World" is the old term and problematic term used during the Cold War to categorise countries not in line with the First or Second World. ![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/2776b8c6-2254-41d4-a4e0-2362cff0b1f5.jpeg) Since the end of the Cold War, "Third World" has become controversial, generally connected with negative preconceptions about developing countries. ![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/bf28d821-ad35-4262-9a7b-a708f39c9663.jpeg) Later, many organisations and individuals are shifting to more neutral terms like "developing country" or "low- and middle-income country" (LMIC). ![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/0a2c3711-fb15-4af3-abaf-dd4dc525367d.jpeg) Fast forward to today, "Third World" is still used to describe countries with low economic development, high poverty rates, and poor infrastructure. ![What is third world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/db80e0e7-a8e9-47c7-bdfd-dc4caf2797bb/images/762e483e-43b8-4606-baf1-b57f38740914.jpeg) Still may refer to countries not considered part of the developed world and implying negative stereotypes.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3259/what-is-third-world

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