It sounds like a question with one clean answer, the kind you could settle in a second. Yet ask how many countries are there in the world and you might hear 193, 195, 197 or even 211, depending on who is counting. None of those numbers is a typo.
The difference comes down to one tricky question: what makes a place a country? This guide gives you the number most teachers and atlases use, explains where the others come from, and covers the borderline cases that keep the count up for debate.
Quick answer
There are 195 countries in the world by the most common count: the 193 member states of the United Nations plus its 2 non-member observer states, the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine. Other counts differ because some places, such as Taiwan and Kosovo, govern themselves but are not recognized by every country and are not UN members. Sports bodies count more, because they include territories: FIFA, for example, has 211 member associations. For school, 195 is the safest answer, with 193 if the question asks about UN members.
Key takeaways
- 193: UN member states. South Sudan, in 2011, is the newest.
- 195: UN members plus the two observer states. This is the usual answer.
- Disputed places such as Taiwan, Kosovo and Western Sahara are why other totals exist.
- Territories are not countries: Greenland, Puerto Rico and Hong Kong belong to larger states.
- Africa has the most countries, with 54.
The Most Common Answer: 195
Most atlases, geography teachers and quiz writers use 195. Here is where that number comes from:
- Start with the 193 member states of the United Nations, the countries that have joined the UN and vote in its General Assembly.
- Add the 2 permanent observer states. The Holy See (the government of Vatican City) and the State of Palestine take part in UN meetings but cannot vote.
- 193 + 2 = 195.
The UN does not officially decide what is or is not a country. Joining it, though, requires approval from the Security Council and the General Assembly, so membership is the closest thing to a worldwide stamp of approval.
What Makes a Place a Country?
Geographers and lawyers often point to the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which lists four qualities of a state:
- a permanent population,
- a defined territory,
- a working government, and
- the ability to deal with other countries.
In practice, recognition by other countries matters just as much. A place can tick all four boxes and still struggle to be treated as a country if powerful neighbors refuse to recognize it. That gap is where the arguments begin.
The Places That Make the Count Tricky
| Place | Situation | Usually counted? |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | Governs itself with its own elections, army and currency; China claims it; recognized by only about a dozen countries | No, but often listed separately |
| Kosovo | Declared independence from Serbia in 2008; recognized by more than 100 UN members, including the US | Sometimes |
| Western Sahara | Largely controlled by Morocco; claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | Rarely |
| Northern Cyprus | Recognized only by Turkey | No |
| Somaliland | Has governed itself since 1991 but is not recognized as a country by any UN member | No |
Add Taiwan and Kosovo to 195 and you get 197, a figure that some websites and almanacs use. The US State Department also keeps its own list of independent states it recognizes, which includes Kosovo.
Why Do Sports Count More Countries?
Turn on the World Cup or the Olympics and the numbers jump. FIFA has 211 member associations. The International Olympic Committee recognizes 206 national Olympic committees.
Sports bodies have their own rules. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland play soccer as separate teams, even though together they form one country, the United Kingdom. Territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and Hong Kong also field their own teams. None of these change the political count.
Countries vs. Territories
A territory is land that belongs to, or is governed by, another country. Many have their own flags and local governments, so they are easy to mistake for countries.
- Greenland is the world’s largest island and governs most of its own affairs, but it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
- Puerto Rico and Guam are US territories. Their residents are US citizens.
- Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions of China.
- Bermuda and the Falkland Islands are British Overseas Territories.
Countries by Continent
Using the 195 count (with the Vatican and Palestine included), the continents break down like this. Some lists place a few transcontinental countries, such as Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan, differently, so you may see slightly different totals.
| Continent | Countries |
|---|---|
| Africa | 54 |
| Asia | 48 |
| Europe | 44 |
| North America (incl. Central America and the Caribbean) | 23 |
| Oceania | 14 |
| South America | 12 |
| Antarctica | 0 |
A few record holders worth knowing: Russia is the largest country by area, Vatican City is the smallest (about 0.17 square miles), and India passed China as the most populous country in 2023, according to UN estimates.
Common Mix-Ups About Counting Countries
Myth: The UN has 195 members. It has 193. The Vatican and Palestine are observers, not members.
Myth: England is a country, so the UK counts as four. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are often called countries, but internationally the United Kingdom is one sovereign state with one UN seat.
Myth: Greenland is its own country. It has wide self-rule, but defense and foreign policy are handled by Denmark.
Myth: The number never changes. It has grown from 51 UN founding members in 1945 to 193 today, as colonies became independent and countries such as the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia split apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the newest country in the world?
South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan on July 9, 2011, and joined the UN days later as its 193rd member.
Is Taiwan a country?
Taiwan has its own government, military, currency and elections, but China claims it, and only about a dozen countries formally recognize it. It is not a UN member, so most counts leave it out.
How many countries are in the UN?
193 member states, plus 2 observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Which continent has the most countries?
Africa, with 54 countries. Asia is second with about 48.
Why does FIFA have more members than there are countries?
FIFA admits national soccer associations, not countries. Territories such as Puerto Rico and the four nations of the UK each have their own association.
The Short Version
- The usual answer is 195: 193 UN member states plus 2 observer states.
- Counts of 197 add Taiwan and Kosovo, places only partly recognized.
- Sports counts are higher because they include territories and the UK’s four nations.
- Territories such as Greenland and Puerto Rico are not separate countries.
The UN publishes its full list of member states along with the role of its permanent observer states. For country profiles, the CIA World Factbook country pages are a handy reference. Read more on our geography page, then see how many capitals you know with the free World Geography Quiz.
