Introduction:
The question “how many countries in the world” may seem simple, but the answer depends on who you ask – and how you define a country. Borders change, political recognition changes, and sometimes new states emerge. According to the United Nations (UN), in 2025 there will be a total of 195 globally recognized countries.
This figure includes 193 UN member states and 2 observer states – the Holy See (Vatican State) and Palestine. However, the story does not end here. Many regions and territories operate independently without full international recognition, making the term “country” a dynamic and often debated concept.
What defines a country?
A country is generally defined as a sovereign nation – a political entity with its own government, territory, permanent population and ability to engage in international relations.
This definition is contained in the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which established four basic qualifications for statehood:
1. A permanent population
2. A defined territory
3. A functioning government
4. The Ability to establish relations with other states
Although this seems simple, the global community does not always agree on who meets these standards – leading to debate about recognized countries and disputed territories.
UN The Official count: UN-recognised member states
From 2025, the UN officially recognizes a total of 195 countries:
• 193 UN member states
• 2 observer states – Vatican City and Palestine
This calculation is widely accepted by governments, academic institutions and international organizations as the most accurate and authoritative.
Disputed and partially recognized territories
In addition to UN-recognised countries, several territories claim independence but lack full diplomatic recognition. Some of the most notable include:
• Taiwan (Republic of China) – Serves as a sovereign state but is not a member of the United Nations due to China’s “One China” policy.
• Kosovo – recognized by more than 100 countries, but not by the UN due to opposition from Serbia and its allies.
• Western Sahara – claimed by Morocco, but also declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
• South Ossetia and Abkhazia – breakaway territories from Georgia, recognized by some states.
• Northern Cyprus – Recognized only by Türkiye.
These examples highlight that although there are 195 recognized countries, the real-world count can vary depending on political perspective.
Regions and Entities with special status
Some regions function as countries, but are not fully independent. These include:
• Hong Kong and Macau – Special Administrative Regions of China.
• Greenland – a self-governing region within the Kingdom of Denmark.
• Puerto Rico – A US territory with self-government, but not full independence.
• Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – are part of the United Kingdom but are separate in identity and governance.
Such cases blur the line between region and nation, further complicating the question of how many countries in the world.
Historical changes and new nations
Throughout history, the number of countries has changed due to colonial independence, wars and dissolution.
• In 1945, when the United Nations was founded, there were only 51 member states.
• The decolonization era (1950–1970) brought dozens of new countries, especially in Africa and Asia.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 created 15 new countries.
• The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s led to many other things.
• The newest country today is South Sudan, which became independent in 2011.
As the story unfolds, the number of nations continues to evolve.
Global recognition and international politics
Recognition plays an important role in determining whether an entity is considered a country or not.
There are three main types of recognition:
1. De jure recognition – legal acceptance of sovereignty (eg by the UN).
2. De facto recognition – operates independently but lacks comprehensive legal status (e.g. Taiwan).
3. Limited recognition – recognized only by some states (e.g. Kosova, Western Sahara).
Because of this, lists of recognized countries may vary. However, the United Nations remains the most widely accepted source for official counts.
Updated list of countries and continents (2025)
Here is an updated list of all 195 recognized countries, organized by continent for clarity and educational value:
Africa (54 countries)
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Guinea Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Togo, Tunis, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
Asia (49 countries)
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.
Europe (44 countries)
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Macedonia, Russia, Monaco, North Macedonia, Portugal, Netherlands San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City.
North America (23 countries)
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA.
South America (12 countries)
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Oceania (14 countries)
Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Observer State (2)
• Holy See (Vatican State) – Europe
• Palestine – Asia
Interesting facts about the world’s countries
• The smallest country in the world is Vatican City, whose area is only 0.49 square kilometers.
• The largest country is Russia, which covers 17 million square kilometers.
• Africa had the most countries (54) .
• Europe and Asia share transcontinental countries such as Türkiye, Russia and Kazakhstan.
• The newest country is South Sudan, independent since 2011.
• Taiwan has one of the largest economies in the world, but recognition is limited.
• The number of sovereign nations may still change in the coming decades due to ongoing disputes and independence movements.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How many countries are in the world in 2025?
There are 195 countries recognized by the UN – 193 UN members and 2 observers.
Question 2: Why do some sources say 197 or 206 countries?
Some include Taiwan, Kosovo and other partially recognized states, increasing the number depending on the criteria used.
Q3: Which continent has the most countries?
Africa, with 54 recognized nations.
Q4: Which is the newest country in the world?
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
Question 5: Can new countries also be formed in the future?
Yes. Political movements in regions such as Catalonia, Scotland and Kurdistan may give rise to future nations.
Conclusion
Ultimately, by 2025, there will be 195 recognized countries in the world – a number that reflects centuries of change, interaction and history. Although borders may change and beliefs may vary, the essence of a nation is defined by its people, sovereignty and identity.
The next time you wonder how many countries there are in the world, remember – it’s not just a number. It is a reflection of the complex and ever-evolving history of humanity across continents and cultures.
