The term "Third World" is making headlines.

Last week, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that immigrants from poor nations are a burden on the United States.

"I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover," he stated.

"Third World" is often the first term that pops into Westerners' minds when they try to characterize less well-off, troubled countries. Everyone knows what they mean — countries that are low in resources, where many people live in poverty, where health care and education systems are weak, where democracy may not be exactly flourishing.

Where did this term come from? How is it regarded in the 21st century? And are there any better alternatives?

Birth of the Third World designation

The idea of a worl

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