The term ‘global north’ refers to the industrialized, wealthier nations located mostly in the northern hemisphere, compared to the ‘global south’ – the poorer, developing nations located mostly in the southern hemisphere. These countries are often referred to as the ‘first world’ and tend to have greater access to resources, more economic and political power as well as more developed infrastructure. Examples of global north countries include Japan, the United States, Canada, most of Europe and Australia. The term ‘global north’ thus implies a division based on disparate levels of economic development, power, and privilege.

See also: global citizenship, global education, global south, global change, power relation