When researching the question “How many countries are there in the world?” you will quickly find conflicting answers.
The reason is that the answer depends on how a “country” is defined and which entities are included. Disputed territories, partially recognized states, and differing diplomatic recognition policies all affect the final count.
How many countries are there in the world?
In practice, most international organizations and educational sources use 195 countries as the standard figure. However, depending on how disputed or partially recognized states are counted, the total number of countries can range from 195 to around 200.
| Count | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 195 | UN standard |
| 197 | US-recognized |
| 198 | + Taiwan |
| 199 | + Western Sahara |
| 200 | Maximum plausible |
195 countries (UN standard)
The most common and conservative answer is 195 countries.
This includes:
- 193 UN member states, plus
- 2 UN observer states: the Holy See and Palestine
This figure is widely used by international organizations, schools, and media outlets.
197 countries (US-recognized list)
If we count all countries recognized by the United States, the total becomes 197.
The US recognizes:
- All 193 UN member states
- The Holy See (UN observer)
- Kosovo
- Cook Islands
- Niue
The US does not recognize the State of Palestine as a sovereign state, which is why this approach totals 197 rather than 198.
198 countries (including Taiwan)
Taiwan is a fully self-governing democratic state with its own military, economy, passport system, and government.
However, it is not a member of the UN, China objects to its recognition, and the US does not officially recognize Taiwanese independence.
Adding Taiwan brings the total to 198.
199 countries (including Western Sahara)
Western Sahara (the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) is recognized by dozens of UN member states and the African Union, but:
- The UN does not recognize it as a sovereign state
- The US recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the territory
Including the SADR brings the number to 199.
200 countries (maximum widely referenced count)
If you include:
- 193 UN member states
- Holy See
- Palestine
- Kosovo
- Cook Islands
- Niue
- Taiwan
- Western Sahara
The list reaches 200. This is the highest plausible number you’ll see in academic or political discussions.
Global comparisons:
Notes and clarifications
Which of these should be considered countries?
Holy See (Vatican City)
Although the Holy See refers to the government of the Catholic Church, it represents the sovereign entity behind the Vatican City State.
This is the smallest country in the world, covering about 0.17 square miles (0.44 square km). It is considered an enclave country, which means that it is completely surrounded by another country. Currently, there are only three enclave countries in the world.
The Vatican City was granted status as a country with the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, which brought the political and religious turmoil in Italy to an end.
Palestine
Palestine, like the Holy See, is an observer state (non-member state) of the UN since 2012. As of 2026, 157 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine, including many Middle Eastern, African, and Asian countries, as well as several European countries.
“All States must follow the example of 146 United Nations Member States and recognize the State of Palestine and use all political and diplomatic resources at their disposal to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,” UN experts said in a press release on June 3, 2024.
Niue and the Cook Islands
The United States formalized diplomatic recognition of Niue and the Cook Islands in 2023.
Niue and the Cook Islands are separate countries, but New Zealand retains limited responsibility for them, particularly in the areas of defense and foreign affairs.
Therefore, Niue and the Cook Islands are not members of the United Nations.
Kosovo
Kosovo is up for much debate because it is only recognized by around 100 UN member states. However, it is not a member of the United Nations because admission would require approval by the UN Security Council.
Since Kosovo’s independence in 2008, the United States has recognized Kosovo as independent and sovereign.
Taiwan
As of 2026, Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with 12 countries. This includes Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu.
The United States does not support Taiwan independence as it has a longstanding One-China Policy: On January 1, 1979, the US decided to officially recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the only legitimate government of China, ending its formal relationship with the government of Taiwan, which had previously been recognized as China’s legal government.
Later, in 1982, the US and China discussed Taiwan, which governs itself but is claimed by China. The US made promises to Taiwan during this time. These agreements formed the basis of the US One-China policy, which has helped keep peace between China and Taiwan over the years.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, also known as the Sahrawi Republic and Western Sahara, has been subject to a longstanding territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Sahrawi people.
It is recognized as a full member of the African Union and is seeking international recognition as an independent state.
As of now, it is not a member of the United Nations. It has been recognized by several dozen UN member states, although some have since withdrawn or suspended recognition.
The US recognizes full Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Related: How many continents are there in the world?
Countries of the world
Below is the complete list of 197 countries recognized by the United States as sovereign states.
This total includes:
- 193 UN member states
- 1 UN observer state recognized by the US (Holy See)
- Kosovo, which the US recognizes as independent
- Cook Islands and Niue, officially recognized as sovereign in 2023
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas, The
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia, The
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Holy See (Vatican City)
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands, The
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands, The
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Türkiye (Turkey)
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates, The
- United Kingdom, The
- United States, The
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For more detailed information, see our full list of countries with capitals, regions, and geographic data.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. With seven years of teaching experience and a background in educational content, she specialises in creating clear reference resources about countries, geography and global topics.