An underdeveloped country is one that has not reached certain economic, cultural and social levels, among others. For a long time these countries were known as third world or third world countries or even fourth world. On the contrary, a developed or first world country is a country in which the standards of living, or of human development, are high. Difference between Underdeveloped and Developed Country
In the middle between these two classifications can be found developing countries. A developing country is one that, starting from underdevelopment, has managed to make its economy develop, fostering the economic growth of both its industry and its inhabitants.
In reality, it is difficult to try to define each of these concepts because there is no consensus on the levels that should be taken as a reference when classifying. However, there is a series of indicators that serve to give the guidelines (and rubrics) to take into account. One of these is the Human Development Index. This considers aspects such as wealth, levels of health and education of the inhabitants of a country, among others. The International Monetary Fund also has a couple of margins that consider, for example, per capita to differentiate a developed country from an underdeveloped one. Difference between Underdeveloped and Developed Country
Developed country | Underdeveloped country | |
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| Definition | By developed country is understood any country that has a high level of human development or life. A developed country is one in which its inhabitants (all or the vast majority at least) lead a healthy and free life, at the same time that they operate within a safe environment. General development conditions are benign. Living standards within a developed country are high. There is economic, social, industrial, humanistic growth, etc. | On the contrary, an underdeveloped country is one that lacks services, goods and, in general, mechanisms that help to effectively improve its productivity. An underdeveloped country cannot provide the majority of its inhabitants with stable economic and social well-being. Underdevelopment is often understood as a synonym for poverty. Although this is not entirely incorrect, the truth is that underdevelopment involves more aspects than the economic one. |
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| Examples | United States, Canada, Uruguay, Germany, France, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Japan, Finland, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, etc. Difference between Underdeveloped and Developed Country | Haiti, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda, Afghanistan, Turkey, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Honduras, Venezuela, Bolivia, etc. |
