Developing World

The term developing world refers to countries that are poorer, less industrialized, and less technologically advanced than western Europe and North America. The label “developing” is contested, as are the criteria for its application. Similarly, what counts as poverty, what causes it, and what might lessen it are controversial. What is beyond question is that in much of the world the suffering caused by poverty, disease, and violence is profound.

According to the World Bank, in 2005, 1.1 billion people lived in extreme poverty, defined as less than $1 per day; 2.6 billion were living on less than $2 per day. Approximately 3 million people die each year from AIDS; 60 million people live with HIV infection, and there are 6 million new AIDS orphans each ...