Egypt is one of the world’s ancient countries; one of the earliest civilizations that contributed to the evolution of the human species. Some find it puzzling why there is a dispute over whether or not it is a First- or Second-World nation.
Numerous superlatives can be used to describe Egypt; Egypt has a population of 100 million individuals and a land area of 1,004,040 km2. Egypt has the greatest population in North Africa, the Arab World, and the Middle East. It is the third most populous country in Africa and the fourteenth most populous in the globe.
Egypt is a nation with a varied topography, an exquisite culture, and an intriguing past.
Is Egypt A First World Country?
Egypt is categorized as a developing nation. This is a somewhat unique classification among countries of the second world; it indicates that the country is on the verge of exiting that category and becoming a first-world nation. For a greater understanding of this classification, it is essential to understand its origins and history.
The Origins Of First World Countries
Prior to the outbreak of the Cold War, the term “First World” countries was not commonly used. It gained immense popularity during that conflict, and its meaning was entirely political. During that era, First World countries were nations that supported the United States in its war against the Soviet Union and its allies.
It is generally accepted that the Cold War was an ideological conflict between the forces of capitalism and communism. The United States championed the cause of Capitalists, while the Soviet Union championed the cause of Communists.
First World nations included the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. These nations had capitalist economies, democratic political structures, and liberated societies.
On the opposite side of the political divide were nations that supported the Soviet Union and its allies; these were known as the Second World nations and included the Soviet Union, Cuba, Romania, and Bulgaria.
First World Countries Today
First-World nations include the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and a number of Western European nations. These nations have capitalist economies, but capitalism is not a requirement for inclusion. After the end of the Cold War, the phrase had to be assigned a new meaning, despite its widespread use.
The modern definition of “First World” is “developed countries,” “industrialized nations,” or simply “rich countries.” Countries that fall into this category typically have highly stable political systems, industrialized industries, and well-off citizens.
They frequently have high energy requirements, resulting in large carbon footprints. High rates of literacy, high scores on the human development index, and high demand for their visas and passports are also characteristics of wealthy nations.
Not every nation fits this classification; some of the economic pyramid’s levels are discussed below.
Second World Countries
Second World Countries are impoverished nations. Obviously, they must have industry, but not on the same magnitude as developed nations.
Some Second World countries are located in Asia, North Africa, and Southern Africa. The majority of Second World countries are located in eastern Europe.
Egypt is located in North Africa and is a country of the Third World. It is designated as a “Developing Nation,” a special designation granted to promising nations of the Second World. This designation indicates that the countries in question are suitable for investment and that investors will not lose money if they invest in the economy.
Countries of the Second World struggle with destitution, but the presence of industry ensures that their citizens have formal or informal employment. Second-world countries have industries, but they do not pay as well, so their citizens may not experience the same comforts as those in more developed nations.
Third World Countries
Third World Countries have the least quantity of infrastructure and have the least developed economies. Typically, these nations have social and political systems that are unstable and easily ignite. Typically, these nations are located in West and Central Africa.
The citizens of Third World countries are the impoverished; some of them rely on foreign aid. Even when industries are established in these countries, the population is too impoverished to purchase the goods, resulting in the industries’ rapid demise.
As with most nations, Third World nations may endure by extracting minerals from the earth.
Egypt As A Developing Country
Egypt is a developing country due to its rapid economic growth over the past decade; only a decade ago, it was considered a Third World nation, but it is now in contention for First World status. The GDP per capita of Egypt is estimated to be 3,698.83 USD, which hardly qualifies as an affluent economy.
However, analysis of the graph reveals that Egypt’s GDP per capita is expanding at a consistent rate. This consistent growth is what attracts investors to Egypt, as they believe that if they invest now, they will be able to enter a young market and enjoy great rewards as it matures.
Agriculture, Media, Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism are some of Egypt’s most important economic sectors. Additionally, the tens of thousands of Egyptians who labor abroad contribute to the country’s economy.
Egypt earns a substantial amount of money from its infrastructure, which includes the Suez Canal, an impressive road network, and an equally impressive rail system. The pyramids, necropolis, and sphinx are a type of infrastructure; they were constructed by ancient Egyptians, but now function as revenue-generating machines.
Conclusion
Egypt is classified as a developing nation, which indicates that it will soon join the First World. Egypt is a nation whose foundation has been laid by generations of visionaries. The infrastructure on which the nation’s revenue relies attest to this fact. Corruption and the country’s poor human rights record impede the nation’s development.