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.

---

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

Gafcon has members from across the world - including Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australasia – and claims to speak for the majority of the Global South, although that is contested.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Disruptions to energy supply and air travel as a result of this conflict will "have far greater ramifications economically in the Global South than in the West", he adds.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 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

While these partnerships grant India access to advanced technologies, finance and high-end processing capabilities, "Global South alliances are critical for securing diversified, on-ground resource access and shaping emerging rules of global trade", Jain told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026