Global South

by | Sep 7, 2025

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The Global South is a widely used term in international relations, development studies, and political economy to refer to countries that are generally less economically developed, less industrialised, and have historically experienced colonialism, exploitation, or marginalisation in global affairs. The term is not strictly geographical, but broadly encompasses:

  • All countries in Africa
  • All countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Most countries in Asia, excluding Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Israel, which are considered part of the Global North due to their high levels of wealth, development, and integration with Western economies
  • Most countries in Oceania, excluding Australia and New Zealand

The Global South contrasts with the “Global North,” which includes the United States, Canada, Western Europe, most of Eastern Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. The Global South–Global North divide is primarily based on historical, economic, and political factors such as wealth, industrialisation, global influence, and historical patterns of power and dependency, rather than on latitude or strict geography.

Key characteristics of the Global South:

  • Lower or middle income status according to international economic metrics (e.g., World Bank classification)
  • Lower levels of industrialisation, technological development, and per capita income
  • Higher rates of poverty and social inequality
  • Greater vulnerability to the impacts of global economic shifts and climate change
  • Historical legacy of colonialism, unequal trade relationships, and external control or intervention

The term is preferred over outdated labels such as “Third World” or “developing countries” because it emphasises global power imbalances and systems of exploitation rather than a linear path of progress. Use of “Global South” in academic and policy contexts signals attention to ongoing structural inequalities in the international system, not merely economic status.

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