In political discourse, the term "third world" generally refers to nations that are less economically developed, often characterized by poverty, political instability, and limited access to essential services. Initially, this classification emerged during the Cold War to describe countries aligned with neither the Western bloc nor the Eastern bloc. Today, the term has evolved, with a focus on developing nations facing challenges related to economic growth, health care, and education. While still commonly used, the term can carry negative connotations and is increasingly replaced by terms like "developing" or "Global South."