If you’ve ever wondered if Greece is considered a third-world country, you’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Greece a Third World Country?
No, Greece is not considered a third world country.
Going into More Detail
Greece is not considered a third world country.
The nation’s economy has grown significantly since 1952, reaching an all-time high in 2021 with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $214.9 billion.
However, are still pockets of poverty in certain parts of the country. For example, some Greek islands remain relatively underdeveloped compared to other parts of Europe. Greece has also been struggling economically since 2008 due to its debt crisis; unemployment remains high, and poverty levels are rising in some areas due to government austerity measures implemented in response to this crisis.
Significant investments in the healthcare system have now provided access to basic medical care for all citizens. The education system is also highly regarded, with most students attending public schools until they graduate from university-level studies.
What Does It Mean to Be a Third World Country?
The term “third world country” was first used during the Cold War period in 1952 to describe countries that were not aligned with either the United States (West) or the Soviet Union (East).
These nations typically had low industrialization rates, high poverty, and a lack of resources.
Over time, the term evolved to refer to nations that have high levels of poverty, low levels of industrialization, and lack of access to basic necessities like food and healthcare.
Generally, these countries largely depend on more developed countries’ foreign aid.
Final Words
To sum up, while there may have been points in history where one could have argued that Greece was a third-world country due to its lack of economic development and access to modern resources at the time, today, that argument no longer stands up to scrutiny.
The nation’s steady economic growth and investment in public healthcare and education make it clear that Greece should no longer be considered part of the so-called “third world.” Therefore it’s safe to say that today’s answer is no—Greece is definitely not a third-world country!
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