Which third world, or developing country has the greatest chance of becoming wealthy now and why?

Question

Which third world, or developing country has the greatest chance of becoming wealthy now and why?

Answer 1

There isn't so much of a defining line to marcate a "third world" anymore.  There is the developed countries and the developing countries.  Those former "undeveloped" third world countries of a half century ago (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, equitorial Africa, Burma/Myanmar, Yemen, Eritrea, Somalia) are all probably better classified 2nd world developing countries now, albeit impoverished ones (and I admit it is probably difficult to fathom Somalia as even "developing" in any positive sense, it's probably the last standing 3rd world country for it's absence of social order, security and development).

That said, the developing country best suited to enter the developed world is that slumbering giant so long stuck in the "developing" category, Russia.  Considering it's education levels and wealth in resources and burgeoning business class with 100 percent government support (as long as the government is pulling the strings and reaping the benefits), it can very quickly become as wealthy as its European counterparts.  Moscow and St. Petersburg are world-class cities and the strategic importance and location of the state make it an attractive alternative to China's energy thirsts and Europe's continued dependence on natural gas, should the Russian government clean-up its act in the near future or Western powers relax their criticisms of Russia in the face of unstable alternatives in the Middle East.

Answer 2

Russia.  (I think their infrastructure puts them into developing country land). They have oil and other natural resources.

If Russia doesn't count, then I would say Indonesia.

Answer 3

Equatorial Guinea (look at its per capita income!)

Answer 4

Iraq. They are litterally a third world country that has been devastated by war. They are oil rich and are just now getting foriegn investment to build up their infrastructure. If the government can be productive and efficient over the next two years in providing basic staples and services to the people, they will be one of the wealthiest, currently developing, countries per capita on the planet within a decade. Huge amounts of investment flowing into Iraq can be expected in the near future.

To the first person: Russia is not a third world country, they are a major, developed, global economic power player. But they are going to become drastically wealthier due to their vast reserves of energy and the access to the European markets.