World geography · Updated September 2026
How many countries are in the world?
How many countries are in the world in 2026? Most classrooms say 195: 193 UN members plus two observer states. Why the count changes, and who is left out.
The short answer English searchers want is 195. That is the number used by many atlases and school quizzes: 193 United Nations member states plus two non-member observer states — the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine.
The longer answer is that “country” is a political word. Taiwan, Kosovo, Western Sahara and a few Pacific territories are treated as countries by some governments and not by others. The UN list is the safest shared baseline for exams and news.
If a quiz asks “how many UN countries,” write 193. If it asks “how many countries in the world,” write 195 and add the two observers in one sentence. That is what this page is for.
How many countries are in the world? — key facts (2026)
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Usual school answer (2026) | 195 countries |
| UN member states | 193 |
| UN observer states | Holy See (Vatican City) and State of Palestine |
| Newest UN member | South Sudan (2011) |
| Smallest widely recognised state | Vatican City |
| Largest by area | Russia |
| Most populous (2026) | India, then China |
| Why counts differ | Recognition of Taiwan, Kosovo and a few territories |
Figures are the usual classroom and news-desk numbers for 2026. Border disputes and membership votes can change a count by one or two.
People also ask
Are there 195 or 197 countries?
195 is the common public figure (193 UN members + 2 observers). Some lists add Taiwan and Kosovo and reach 197. Say which list you are using.
Is Taiwan a UN member?
No. Taiwan (Republic of China) is not a UN member. Many countries still trade with it as a separate economy.
How many countries are in Africa / Europe / Asia?
Africa is usually listed as 54 UN members. Europe is about 44 depending on whether you count transcontinental states. Asia is about 48. See the continents page.