How Many Countries Are There in the World?

The number of countries in the world is a question that has been debated for centuries. There is no definitive answer, as the definition of a country can be subjective. However, the most widely accepted answer is that there are 195 countries in the world.

This number is based on the United Nations (UN) list of member states. The UN is an international organization that was founded in 1945. Its primary goal is to maintain international peace and security. The UN also works to promote economic and social development, human rights, and international law.

The UN list of member states is constantly being updated. New countries are added to the list when they meet the UN's criteria for statehood. These criteria include having a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

The number of countries in the world has been steadily increasing over the years. This is due to a number of factors, including the decolonization of former European empires, the breakup of the Soviet Union, and the creation of new states through secession or independence movements.

While the UN list of member states is the most widely accepted answer to the question of how many countries are in the world, there are other organizations that use different criteria to define statehood. For example, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes 206 countries, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognizes 190 countries.

The number of countries in the world is a constantly evolving number. New states are being created and old states are being dissolved. As the world continues to change, the definition of a country will continue to be debated.

The Top 10 Largest Countries in the World

Here are the top 10 largest countries in the world by land area:

Rank	Country	Area (km²)
1	Russia	17,098,242
2	Canada	9,984,670
3	China	9,596,960
4	United States	9,833,520
5	Brazil	8,515,767
6	Australia	7,692,024
7	India	3,287,590
8	Argentina	2,780,400
9	Kazakhstan	2,724,900
10	Algeria	2,381,741

The Top 10 Most Populous Countries in the World

Here are the top 10 most populous countries in the world:

Rank	Country	Population
1	China	1,439,323,776
2	India	1,366,417,754
3	United States	329,484,123
4	Indonesia	267,667,099
5	Pakistan	212,228,286
6	Brazil	211,755,692
7	Nigeria	200,963,599
8	Bangladesh	164,689,383
9	Russia	145,934,462
10	Mexico	128,932,753

Conclusion

The number of countries in the world is a complex and ever-changing issue. There is no single definitive answer to the question of how many countries are in the world. However, the UN list of member states is the most widely accepted answer. The number of countries in the world is likely to continue to change in the future as new states are created and old states are dissolved.