Is Ireland a third world country?

Answer 1

No, Ireland is very much a 1st world country, with good infrastructure, a sound manufacturing base, an excellent education system, an adequate health service, good old age allowances and provision etc, but we are up to our eyes in debt caused by reckless banking practices and supervision, and poor political leadership.

Interestingly, under the original definition, it is third world. Third World originally referred to countries that were not aligned with the US, Britain and its allies (first world) or with Russia and its allies (second world) during the cold war. As Ireland was and still is neutral, it would be third world. Many of the worlds poorest countries also did not have alliances with the first world or second world countries. Third world became particularly associated with them and the term then became synonymous with poor countries. On that basis, Ireland is not a third world country.

Answer 2

By all definitions the United Kingdom is a first world country. That means in terms of political rights and civil liberties, in terms of gross national income, in terms of human development, in terms of poverty and in terms of press freedom

Answer 3

Europe is not a country. It is a continent consisting of many countries. None of these countries would be considered as being third world countries.