ENGLISH
REFERENCE

developing countries

compound.
B1 Intermediate Oxford

compound. nations with less money, fewer factories, and lower levels of technology than richer countries. You often use this to talk about places that are still building their economy and services.

compound. a collective noun phrase referring to sovereign states with a less developed industrial base and a lower Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries. The term is often used in economic and geopolitical contexts to describe nations transitioning from agrarian to industrial economies.


SIMPLE

Many developing countries need better access to clean water.

CONTEXTUAL

The international charity provides medical supplies and training to doctors in developing countries across Africa and Asia.

COMPLEX

Economists argue that rapid urbanisation in developing countries presents both significant challenges for infrastructure and unique opportunities for market expansion.

Usage

usually plural; it is considered more polite and accurate than the older term 'Third World'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'developed countries' and 'emerging markets'; note that while 'developing' is a participle, the phrase functions as a fixed compound noun in academic and news registers.

Pitfall

developed countries (when meaning poor nations)developing countriesthe '-ing' ending describes the process of growth, while '-ed' describes nations that are already wealthy and industrialised.

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