This is a weird question, buuut I would argue no.

What is a Third World Country?

Wikipedia says:

The term “Third World” arose during the Cold War and it was used to define countries that remained non-aligned with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact. The United States, Canada and their allies represented the “First World”, while the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam and their allies represented the “Second World”.

Based on this old definition, Romania was a second world country. But now it is in Nato, so technically speaking, it is a first-world country.

Corporate Institute of Finance says:

The modern definition of “Third World” is used to classify countries that are poor or developing. Countries that are part of the “third world” are generally characterized by high rates of poverty, economic and/or political instability, and high mortality rates.

Rates of poverty

In 2020, 10% of the country was below the poverty line. Statistically, ok comparable to Spain or Italy.

Economical and/or political instability

2024 Romania has the highest inflation in the EU 7% which is not very stable but not crazy. You can check this website: https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/inflation-rate

High mortality rate

Not going to lie, it was quite high in 2021, 5th from all the countries on the list but it would be nice to see this year how it is doing.

Source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CDRT.IN?most_recent_value_desc=true

Is Romania a third world country?

It is still developing, inflation is a bit on the higher end, and the death rate is high due to many doctors leaving but similar poverty to other developed countries. Basically, we are one of the poorest countries in the EU but decent compared to glabal standards.

Google frequently asked questions: Are Romanians slavs? Is Romania slavic?

Google frequently asked questions about Romania – Is Romania in…?

Image by frimufilms on Freepik

4 responses to “Google Frequently asked questions: Is Romania a third world country?”

  1. When people use the term “third world country” they mean a relativiely poor country, which as you say, is not what the term means. Sweden (my native country) was non-aligned (still is, but not for long) and was thus a “third world country” despite having a high GDP per capita. For a few years Sweden had the highest GDP per capita of any country in the world. But it was/is still a “third world country”. I’ve been to Romania and it is not a poor country either.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wasn’t even sure how to answer this question, I didn;t know if I should publish it as it feels so ambiguous…

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      1. Well I think the post was great and I think you answered very well. I was just chiming in with you with a comment.

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  2. The more that Romania distances itself from its former Soviet bloc status, in my view the less I view it as Third World. Why are so many doctors leaving?

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