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Population Review

How many countries are there in the world?

There are 195 internationally recognized sovereign states (193 UN members plus 2 observer states). Population Review tracks 211 countries and territories.

Context

The exact count depends on definition. The UN recognizes 193 member states; the World Bank tracks data for approximately 217 economies including non-sovereign territories.

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Related Questions

What is the most populated state in the US?What is the richest state in the US?What is the fastest-growing state?What is the most diverse state?What is the largest city in the United States?How many states are there in the United States?

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 195 internationally recognized sovereign states (193 UN members plus 2 observer states). Population Review tracks 211 countries and territories.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.