A developed country (English: Developed Country; French: Pays développé) (also known as a developed country) is a country that has a higher level of economic development, more advanced technology, and a higher standard of living, and is also known as an industrialized country, or a highly economically developed country (MEDC). Most of the developed countries have a high per capita GDP (per capita Gross Domestic Product), however, a high per capita GDP can also be achieved through the exploitation of natural resources, and such countries may not necessarily have more advanced technology (e.g., Saudi Arabia's exploitation of oil, Nauru's exploitation of phosphate fertilizers, etc.).
Other terms often used to denote the groups of developed countries and developing countries (also known as developing countries) are: first world/third world, North/South, industrialized/non-industrialized, developed/backward, rich/poor. Western countries are not equivalent to developed countries, although they have similar meanings.
Observers and theorists often disagree about why certain countries enjoy relatively high levels of economic development. Some believe that democracy is necessary for a modern economy to be strong. Some believe that a free-market economy is a condition for development. Others, however, believe that countries have become rich because they have exploited poorer countries in the past through imperialism and colonialism. Some believe that this exploitation is continuing through the process of globalization.
There is no established tradition in the workings of the United Nations of identifying countries or regions as developed or under development. The general perception is that Japan in Asia, the United States and Canada in North America, Australia and New Zealand in Oceania, and Europe are developed regions or areas. In international trade statistics, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is considered a developed region, while Israel is a developed country; the countries of Eastern Europe, as well as the countries of the former Soviet Union in Europe, are considered neither developed nor developing. Some consider membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (although Mexico and Turkey, which are developing countries, are also members) to be an important indicator of international recognition as a developed country. Some international organizations have also included the four little dragons of Asia in the developed countries (regions).