transition economy UK US (also transitional economy) noun [C] ECONOMICS
► an economy that is changing from being one under government control to being a market economy (= one in which companies are not controlled by the government): »
Export volume growth has been strongest in the transition economies and Latin America, at 10% and 6.5% respectively.
»Foreign direct investment is vitally important for all developing and transition economies.
Financial and business terms. 2012.