Fourth World

noun

the world's most poverty-stricken nations, especially in Africa and Asia, marked by very low GNP per capita and great dependence upon foreign economic aid.
Compare First World, Second World, Third World.

Origin of Fourth World

First recorded in 1970–75

British Dictionary definitions for fourth world

Fourth World

noun

the poorest countries in the most undeveloped parts of the world in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
the poorest people in developed countries