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Countries of the First WorldList of Countries of the First World

The term First World originally refers to the capitalist, industrialized countries, within the Western European and United States' sphere of influence, (e.g. member

Whoever uses the term today in a variety of meanings, mostly tries to describe the top end of the evolution of countries. Nations with the most advanced econom

technology, the greates influence in the world.

The term could also mean: industrialized nations, developed countries, rich countries or the civilized world,

in contrast to the poor, under-developed, un-civilized, exploited nations of the so called Third World.

also included other industrialized capitalist countries such as Japan and some of the former British

First World - Industrialized Countries, within the Western European and United States' Sphere of Influence

NATO Member States during the Cold War

Belgium Canada Denmark

France Germany (West) Greece

Iceland Italy Luxembourg

Netherlands Norway Portugal

Spain (since 1982) Turkey United Kingdom

USA

US Aligned States

Israel Japan Korea (South)

Former British Colonies

Australia New Zealand

Neutral and more or less industrialized capitalist countries

Austria Ireland Sweden

Switzerland

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Top 10: First World Countries in terms of their Gross National Income

The GNI based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita in int'l Dollars.

# Country Region GNI per Cap

1 Luxembourg Western Europe 66 8

2 Norway Northern Europe 41 9

3 United States North America 41 5

4 Ireland Northern Europe 40 0

5 Bermuda (overseas territory of the UK) North America *36 0

6 Iceland Northern Europe 35 6

7 Denmark Northern Europe 34 7

8 San Marino Southern Europe *34 6

9 Canada North America 34 4

10 Switzerland Western Europe 33 1

Sources: IMF -- International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2005

(*) CIA The World Factbook (covers countries not mentioned by the IMF, information may refer to 2004 or earlier.)Slightly different figures you will find atThe World Bank Group

Full list ofNational Economic Accounts for Countries and Regions around the World

Top Ten: First World Countries in Terms of their Human Development

The Human Development Index (HDI) is published annually by the UN.

It measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development:

A long and healthy life

as measured by life expectancy at birth.

Knowledge

as measured by the adult l iteracy rate (with two-thirds weight) and the combined primary,secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with one-third weight).

A decent standard of living

as measured by GDP per capita* (PPP US$).

Below the list of 10 countries with the highest Human Development Index (HDI)

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# Country Life expect.at birth

Adult literacy rate Combined gross enrolment GDP per capita (PPP US$) Lifeexpect.index

Educat.index

GDPindex

HDI GDP rank minus HDI ran

1 Norway 78.9 .. 98 36,600 0.90 0.99 0.99 0.956 1

2 Sweden 80.0 .. 114 26,050 0.92 0.99 0.93 0.946 19

3 Australia 79.1 .. 113 28,260 0.90 0.99 0.94 0.946 9

4 Canada 79.3 .. 95 29,480 0.90 0.98 0.95 0.943 5

5 Netherlands 78.3 .. 99 29,100 0.89 0.99 0.95 0.942 6

6 Belgium 78.7 .. 111 27,570 0.90 0.99 0.94 0.942 7

7 Iceland 79.7 .. 90 29,750 0.91 0.96 0.95 0.941 1

8 USA 77.0 .. 92 35,750 0.87 0.97 0.98 0.939 -4

9 Japan 81.5 .. 84 26,940 0.94 0.94 0.93 0.938 6

10 Ireland 76.9 .. 90 36,360 0.86 0.96 0.98 0.936 -7

Source: UN Human Development Report 2004

Country List of Human Development Index (HDI)

Top 10 First World Countries in Terms of Press Freedom

Reporters Without Borders is publishing annually an index of the countries of the world according to their respect for press freedom.

The 10 highest-ranked countries with the most media independence are in Europe.

Below the list of countries, at the top of the fourth World Press Freedom Index.

Rank Country Region Score

1 Denmark Northern Europe 0,50

- Finland Northern Europe 0,50

- Iceland Northern Europe 0,50

- Ireland Northern Europe 0,50

- Netherlands Western Europe 0,50

- Norway Northern Europe 0,50

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- Switzerland Western Europe 0,50

8 Slovakia Eastern Europe 0,75

9 Czech Republic Eastern Europe 1,00

- Slovenia Southern Europe 1,00

Source: Reporters Without Borders