developing country: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “developing country” mean?
A nation with a relatively low level of industrialization, infrastructure, and standard of living compared to developed nations, but with a growing economy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nation with a relatively low level of industrialization, infrastructure, and standard of living compared to developed nations, but with a growing economy.
The term also encompasses nations undergoing rapid socio-economic transformation, often with significant disparities in wealth, education, and access to services. It is often used as a more neutral or positive alternative to historical terms like "third world country" or "underdeveloped nation".
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. The abbreviation 'LDC' (Less Developed Country) is common in both, while 'Third World' is increasingly seen as outdated.
Connotations
Neutral to formal in both varieties. Can sometimes carry paternalistic or simplistic connotations if used without context.
Frequency
Equally frequent in economic, political, and journalistic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “developing country” in a Sentence
[developing country] + verb (exports, imports, struggles, receives)preposition + [developing country] (in a developing country, for developing countries)adjective + [developing country] (small/large/particular developing country)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “developing country” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region is developing rapidly.
- We aim to develop sustainable partnerships.
American English
- The country is developing its tech sector.
- They developed a new aid model.
adverb
British English
- The economy is developing quickly.
- She spoke developingly about the project's potential. (RARE)
American English
- The city is developing rapidly.
- The situation is developing favorably. (Note: 'developingly' is extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- A developing nation's needs are complex.
- The developing world faces unique challenges.
American English
- Developing markets offer high returns.
- A developing economy requires investment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to markets with high growth potential but also higher risk. 'Our firm is expanding its operations in several key developing countries.'
Academic
Used in economics, political science, and development studies with specific criteria (HDI, GDP). 'The study compares fiscal policy in ten developing countries.'
Everyday
Used in news discussions about aid, climate, or global issues. 'The charity sends doctors to work in developing countries.'
Technical
May be categorized further by institutions (e.g., World Bank's 'low-income economies', UN's 'Least Developed Countries' list).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “developing country”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “developing country”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “developing country”
- Using 'underdeveloped' as a direct synonym (it is often seen as negative).
- Treating it as a fixed, permanent category for any non-Western nation.
- Incorrect plural: 'developing countries' (not 'developing countrys').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the standard, most neutral current term in formal and academic contexts, preferred over older terms like 'underdeveloped' or 'third world'.
They overlap significantly. 'Emerging market' is a finance/business term focusing on investment potential and market liberalization. 'Developing country' is a broader socio-economic term. A country can be both.
Yes, this is often called 'graduation'. For example, South Korea, Singapore, and Chile were once widely described as developing countries but are now typically classified as developed or advanced economies.
In different contexts: 'low and middle-income country' (World Bank), 'Least Developed Country' (LDC - UN), 'Global South nation' (political context), or more specific terms like 'industrializing economy'.
A nation with a relatively low level of industrialization, infrastructure, and standard of living compared to developed nations, but with a growing economy.
Developing country is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Developing country: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈveləpɪŋ ˈkʌntri/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈveləpɪŋ ˈkʌntri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The developing world”
- “On the development path”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a country building (DEVELoping) many new buildings and roads—it's still in the process, so it's a DEVELOPING country.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS A JOURNEY / PATH (e.g., 'on the road to development', 'a country's development path').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic typically associated with a 'developing country'?