Underdevelopment refers to the condition or state of a country or region that has not achieved significant economic, social, and technological progress compared to other more developed areas. It is often characterized by low levels of industrialization, poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and high unemployment rates.
Related terms
Dependency Theory: This theory suggests that underdevelopment is a result of the economic dependency and exploitation of less developed countries by more powerful and wealthier nations.
Neocolonialism: Neocolonialism refers to the indirect form of imperialism where economically advanced countries maintain control over less developed nations through economic and political influence rather than direct colonization.
Global South: The term Global South represents countries located primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania that are considered less developed or developing in terms of their economy and infrastructure.