Global South

American  

[gloh-buhl south] / ˈgloʊ bəl ˈsaʊθ /

Or global south

noun

1. the low- or middle-income countries located in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania; Third World.

   The article argues that poverty in the Global South stems from European exploitation of its natural resources.

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Etymology

Origin of Global South

First recorded in 1965–70; not literally referring to the Southern Hemisphere, but continuing the 20th century contrasts between the wealthy industrial north and the poverty-stricken agricultural south, and probably beginning with Antonio Gramsci’s essay “The Southern Question” (1926), in which he argued southern Italy had, in effect, been colonized by capitalists from northern Italy

Example Sentences

Scientists around the world, particularly in the Global South, will be able to access these resources through institutional portals and platforms such as GBIF, or request specimens for further study.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

According to CACE, most countries in the Global South expected to authorize large volumes of credits have little ability to do so.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

"When India and Brazil work together, the voice of Global South becomes stronger and more confident."

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

"AI must become a medium for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

His words made me consider the much heralded rules-based international order from another angle: from the point of view of much of the Global South.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026