Developed nations

Developed nations refers to those countries that have achieved (currently or historically) a high degree of industrialization, and which enjoy the higher standards of living in the world today. There is a strong correlation between countries having this type of status and their possessing strong democratic institutions.

Countries not belonging in this category are sometimes euphemistically called "developing nations" or underdeveloped nations. Other terms sometimes used are first world/third world (the second world was reserved for Communist countries) or industrialized countries/non-industrialized countries. The term "Western countries" also somewhat refers to developed countries, but not completely.

Countries clearly assigned to this category include:

• Canada
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Norway
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia
• New Zealand