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A developed country, or advanced country,<ref name="adv1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="adv2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy, and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations. Most commonly, the criteria for evaluating the degree of economic development are the gross domestic product (GDP), gross national product (GNP), the per capita income, level of industrialization, amount of widespread infrastructure and general standard of living.<ref>Developed Economy Definition Template:Webarchive. Investopedia (16 April 2010). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref> Which criteria are to be used and which countries can be classified as being developed are subjects of debate. Different definitions of developed countries are provided by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; moreover, HDI ranking is used to reflect the composite index of life expectancy, education, and income per capita. In 2025, 40 countries fit all three criteria, while an additional 21 countries fit two out of three.
Developed countries have generally more advanced post-industrial economies, meaning the service sector provides more wealth than the industrial sector. They are contrasted with developing countries, which are in the process of industrialisation or are pre-industrial and almost entirely agrarian, some of which might fall into the category of Least Developed Countries. Template:As of, advanced economies comprise 57.3% of global GDP based on nominal values and 41.1% of global GDP based on purchasing-power parity (PPP) according to the IMF.<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Definition and criteriaEdit
Economic criteria have tended to dominate discussions. One such criterion is the income per capita; countries with the high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita would thus be described as developed countries. Another economic criterion is industrialisation; countries in which the tertiary and quaternary sectors of industry dominate would thus be described as developed. More recently, another measure, the Human Development Index (HDI), which combines an economic measure, national income, with other measures, indices for life expectancy and education has become prominent. This criterion would define developed countries as those with a very high (HDI) rating. The index, however, does not take into account several factors, such as the net wealth per capita or the relative quality of goods in a country. This situation tends to lower the ranking of some of the most advanced countries, such as the G7 members and others.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
According to the United Nations Statistics Division:
There is no established convention for the designation of "developed" and "developing" countries or areas in the United Nations system.<ref name="unstated.un.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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And it notes that:
The designations "developed" and "developing" are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process.<ref name="unstats.un.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Nevertheless, the UN Trade and Development considers that this categorization can continue to be applied:
The developed economies broadly comprise Northern America and Europe, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref name="UNCTADstat">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Similar termsEdit
Template:See also Terms linked to the concept developed country include "advanced country", "industrialized country", "more developed country" (MDC), "more economically developed country" (MEDC), "Global North country", "first world country", and "post-industrial country". The term industrialized country may be somewhat ambiguous, as industrialisation is an ongoing process that is hard to define. The first industrialized country was the United Kingdom, followed by Belgium. Later it spread further to Germany, United States, France and other Western European countries. According to some economists such as Jeffrey Sachs, however, the current divide between the developed and developing world is largely a phenomenon of the 20th century.<ref name="The End of Poverty">Template:Cite book</ref>
Mathis Wackernagel calls the binary labeling of countries as "neither descriptive nor explanatory. It is merely a thoughtless and destructive endorsement of GDP fetish. In reality, there are not two types of countries, but over 200 countries, all faced with the same laws of nature, yet each with unique features."<ref name="Ecological Footprint: Managing Our Biocapacity Budget">Template:Cite book</ref>
A 2021 analysis proposes the term emerged to describe markets, economies, or countries that have graduated from emerging market status, but have not yet reached the level equivalent to developed countries.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Multinational corporations from these emerging markets present unique patterns of overseas expansion and knowledge acquisition from foreign countries.
Economy lists by various criteriaEdit
Human Development Index (HDI)Edit
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The UN HDI is a statistical measure that gauges an economy's level of human development. While there is a strong correlation between having a high HDI score and being a prosperous economy, the UN points out that the HDI accounts for more than income or productivity. Unlike GDP per capita or per capita income, the HDI takes into account how income is turned "into education and health opportunities and therefore into higher levels of human development."
Since 1990, Norway (2001–2006, 2009–2019), Japan (1990–1991 and 1993), Canada (1992 and 1994–2000) and Iceland (2007–2008) have had the highest HDI score.
The following countries in the year 2023 are considered to be of "very high human development":<ref name="2022 components32">Template:Cite book</ref>
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WESP developed economiesEdit
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' World Economic Situation and Prospects report, the following 37 countries are classified as "developed economies" as of January 2024:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
31 countries in Europe: Template:Columns-list
two countries in Northern America: Template:Columns-list
four countries in Asia and the Pacific: Template:Columns-list
World Bank high-income economiesEdit
According to the World Bank, the following 85 sovereign states and territories across are classified as high-income economies, having a nominal GNI per capita in excess of $14,005 as of 2024:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Unsovereign Territories are denoted with an asterisk (*).
Development Assistance Committee membersEdit
There are 29 OECD member countries and the European Union—in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC),<ref name="DAC">Peer reviews of DAC members – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Template:Webarchive. Oecd.org. Retrieved 22 October 2013.</ref> a group of the world's major donor countries that discusses issues surrounding development aid and poverty reduction in developing countries.<ref name="dac_dat">DAC website >> "The DAC in Dates" Template:Webarchive, On the DAC's self-description, see the introductory letter. On other events, refer to the relevant section by date.</ref> The following OECD member countries are DAC members:
25 countries in Europe: Template:Columns-list
two countries in the Americas: Template:Columns-list
two countries in Asia: Template:Columns-list
two countries in Oceania: Template:Columns-list
IMF advanced economiesEdit
According to the International Monetary Fund, 41 countries and territories are officially listed as "advanced economies",<ref name="IMF1" /><ref name="IMF2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with the addition of 7 microstates and dependencies modified by the CIA which were omitted from the IMF version:<ref name="cia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
29 countries and dependencies in Europe classified by the IMF, 6 others given by the CIA: Template:Columns-list
seven countries and territories in Asia: Template:Columns-list
three countries and territories in the Americas classified by the IMF, one territory given by the CIA : Template:Columns-list
two countries in Oceania: Template:Columns-list
d The CIA has modified an older version of the IMF's list of 38 Advanced Economies, noting that the IMF's Advanced Economies list "would presumably also cover the following nine smaller countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Holy See, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino[...]". San Marino (2012) and Andorra (2021) were later included in the IMF's list.<ref name=cia />
Paris Club membersEdit
There are 22 permanent members in the Paris Club (Template:Langx), a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.
15 countries in Europe: Template:Columns-list
three countries in the Americas: Template:Columns-list
three countries in Asia: Template:Columns-list
one country in Oceania: Template:Columns-list
Comparative table (2025)Edit
Comparative table of countries with a "very high" human development (0.800 or higher), according to UNDP; "advanced" economies, according to the IMF; "high-income" economies, according to the World Bank.
| Template:Big | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref>!! IMF<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref>!! WB<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 2023 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2007 | Yes since 2023 | Yes since 2017 | |
| 2021 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2021 | Yes since 2012 | Yes since 2000 | |
| 2020 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2003 | Yes since 2020 | Yes since 1990 | |
| 2015 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2005 | Yes since 2015 | Yes since 2012 | |
| 2014 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2005 | Yes since 2014 | Yes since 2012 | |
| 2011 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2003 | Yes since 2011 | Yes since 2006 | |
| 2009 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2006 | Yes since 2009 | Yes since 2007 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2001 | Yes since 2009 | Yes since 2006 | |
| 2008 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2003 | Yes since 2008 | Yes since 2002 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2000 | Yes since 2008 | Yes since 1990 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Yes since 2008 | Yes before 1990 |
| 2007 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1998 | Yes since 2007 | Yes since 1997 | |
| 2005 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2005 | Yes since 1989<ref name="IMF1989">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Yes since 1994 |
| 2001 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2001 | Yes since 1989<ref name="IMF1989" /> | Yes since 1996 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1999 | Yes since 1997<ref name="IMF1997">Template:Cite book</ref> | Yes since 2001 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2001 | Yes since 2001 | Yes since 1988 | |
| 1999 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1999 | Yes since 1997<ref name="IMF1997" /> | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1997 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1991 | Yes since 1997<ref name="IMF1997"/> | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | N/ATemplate:Refn | Yes since 1997<ref name="IMF1997" /> | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1996 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1996 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1995 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1995 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1995 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1994 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1994 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1993 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1993 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1992 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1992 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1992 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1992 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1991 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1991 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| 1987 | ||||
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes before 1990 | Yes since 1945 | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Big | ||||
| Countries | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
IMF<ref name=":1" /> | WB<ref name=":2" /> |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2013 | No | Yes since 2023 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2014 | No | Yes since 2012 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2007 | No | Yes since 2012 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2021 | No | Yes since 2006 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2013 | No | Yes since 2021 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2019 | No | Yes since 2021 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2016 | No | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2005 | No | Yes since 2014 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2003 | No | Yes since 2009 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2014 | No | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2012 | No | Yes since 2001 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2012 | No | Yes since 2007 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2010 | No | Yes since 2004 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2004 | No | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1999 | No | Yes since 1990 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 1996 | No | Yes since 1987 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2011 | No | Yes since 2012 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2022 | No | Yes since 2014 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2007 | No | Yes since 2012 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2016 | No | Yes since 2006 | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2021 | No | Yes since 2023 | |
| Template:Big | ||||
| Countries | HDI<ref name="UNDP2024">Template:Cite book</ref> | IMF<ref name=":1" /> | WB<ref name=":2" /> | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2019 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2019 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2006 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2013 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2015 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2016 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2015 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2019 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2012 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2025 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2025 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2025 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2025 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | Yes since 2025 | No | No | |
| Template:Flag2 | No | No | Yes since 2022 | |
| Template:Flag2 | No | No | Yes since 2019 | |
| Template:Flag2 | No | No | Yes since 2023 | |
See alsoEdit
- Digital divide
- First World privilege
- Globalization
- G7
- List of countries by wealth per adult
- Developed market
- D-10 Strategy Forum
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Wikiquote-inline
- IMF (advanced economies)
- The World Factbook Template:Webarchive (developed countries)
- United Nations Statistics Division (definition)
- List of countries, United Nations Statistics Division (developed regions)
- World Bank (high-income economies)
Template:GDP country lists Template:Global economic classifications Template:Quality of life country lists Template:Authority control