{"id":2389,"date":"2021-05-21T15:04:59","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T15:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/?p=2389"},"modified":"2023-12-25T12:52:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-25T12:52:13","slug":"is-turkey-a-first-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/is-turkey-a-first-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Turkey a First World and Not a Third World Country? Explained by a Turkish"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, I will explain classical definitions of first, second, and third-world descriptions and give information about how developed Turkey is compared to other first-world and third-world countries<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First world country was a term coined during the Cold War Era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the understanding of the time, the USA and its NATO allies were First World Countries. The Soviet Bloc formed the Second World countries, and Third World countries were the non-aligned countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey has been a US ally and NATO member since 1952. After the Second World War, Turkey has always aligned with Western countries and was never aligned with the Soviet Bloc. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey is a first-world country with a functioning democracy, a capitalist economy, and a high standard of living. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Turkey is today one of the less developed first-world countries, Turkey is far more developed than third world countries. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey is definitely not a third-world country because Turkish people enjoy high life expectancy, education, income per capita, and high human development, similar to less rich first-world countries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, Turkey was never classified as a second or third-world country according to the Cold War or modern-day definition of the term.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, Turkey’s situation is similar to football teams playing teams playing in the top league but has not been a champion for decades, but not falling to the lower tier league either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me explain further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Modern Definition of First World and Turkey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today’s definition of a first-world country includes NATO countries, US allies with advanced economies and liberal values, and EU members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shared values of today\u2019s first-world countries are democracies with developed economies based on liberal principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey is also a part of the modern liberal world and a founding member of many institutions like the OECD, the European Council, and the G20.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.1 Human Development Index Turkey vs First and Third World Countries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the UN\u2019s Human Development Index (HDI)<\/a>, Turkey enjoys a very high HDI score on par with developed countries. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Development Index is an analysis that takes mainly 3 factors. These are<\/p>\n\n\n\n