The world can be defined as the planet Earth, home to a vast diversity of life, ecosystems, and human societies. It is the third planet from the sun, characterized by its landmasses, oceans, and atmosphere, all of which support a wide range of living organisms. Beyond its physical aspects, “the world” also refers to the interconnected web of human experiences, cultures, and civilizations that shape our collective existence.
And yes, the world is also known as inclusion of all countries. It refers to the entire planet, encompassing every recognized nation and territory, each with its own unique culture, government, and population. When we talk about “the world,” we’re considering the collective existence of all countries, their people, and the connections between them. This global perspective highlights how nations, despite their differences, are all part of a larger, interconnected system, where events, actions, and decisions in one place can affect others around the globe.
Here, we will provide you with a clear idea of the number of countries in the world. While the exact number can vary depending on the criteria used for recognition, we will break down the most widely accepted counts and explain the differences.
Number of Countries: Different Perspectives
The question, “How many countries are there in the world?” can have different answers depending on how we look at it. While the United Nations recognizes 193 member states, there are other factors to consider, such as territories with partial recognition or unique political statuses.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways the number of countries considered, providing a clearer understanding of the variations and perspectives that influence this number.
As per United Nations :193
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among the world’s nations. Its membership includes sovereign states that are recognized as independent countries.
The United Nations (UN) recognizes 193 member states, which are widely accepted as independent countries. Membership in the UN is generally considered a benchmark for statehood and sovereignty. The 2 observer states, Vatican City and Palestine, are not full members but are still included in some counts. In this way, as per UN there are 195 countries in world.
Criteria for UN Membership as country
To be counted as a country and gain UN membership, an entity must meet the following criteria based on international law (Montevideo Convention, 1933) and UN Charter requirements:
UN Approval: Admission to the UN requires a recommendation from the UN Security Council and a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly.
Permanent Population: A state must have people residing within its borders.
Defined Territory: Clear and recognized boundaries.
Government: A functioning government capable of exercising authority.
Capacity for Relations: The ability to engage in diplomatic relations with other states.
in this way,
United Nations Member : 193
United Nations Observer States: 2
Total Countries: 195
Considering Partial Recognition : 201
Some regions and territories around the world are only partially recognized as independent countries. These entities have limited recognition from international members. The table below lists some of these partially recognized countries along with the number of United Nations members that recognize them.
| Sr | Territories | Recognized by number of members |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | 191 |
| 2 | Palestine | 146 |
| 3 | Kosovo | 118 |
| 4 | Taiwan | 11 |
| 5 | Western Sahara | 46 |
| 6 | South Ossetia | 5 |
| 7 | Abkhazia | 5 |
| 8 | Northern Cyprus | 1 |
Considering Above Number of country in world would be 193 UN Members +8 Partially Recognize state = 201 countries
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states
Olympic Nations:
The International Olympic Committee recognizes 206 National Olympic Committees, which correspond to the number of countries or territories that participate in the Olympic Games.
A country can participate in the Olympics if it has a National Olympic Committee (NOC) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For a new nation to gain approval, it typically must be an independent state acknowledged by the global community, which is often signified by membership in the United Nations (UN). However, UN membership is not a strict requirement, as several non-UN members also compete in the Olympics.
Interestingly, the IOC permits certain territories, colonies, and dependencies to participate as separate entities, even if they are not fully sovereign states. Examples include Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Hong Kong, which are legally tied to other nations but compete independently. In fact, there are more than a dozen such territories represented in the Olympic Games.
Additionally, the IOC considers factors such as political stability, the ability to field athletes in international competitions, and adherence to the Olympic Charter when evaluating new NOCs. This inclusive approach aims to foster global representation and strengthen the Olympic Movement. Over time, this policy has led to the participation of unique entities, such as the Refugee Olympic Team, which debuted in 2016 to represent displaced athletes worldwide.
Official page : https://olympics.com/ioc/national-olympic-committees
FIFA Member Associations:
FIFA, the global governing body of football, has 211 member associations representing countries and territories in international football.
Official page :https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations
CIA World Factbook:
The CIA World Factbook lists 261 countries.
Official page :https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries
U.S. State Department List:
As per the U.S. State Department’s list of recognized nations is used, and Taiwan is included, there are 197 countries in the world.
Official page :https://www.state.gov/independent-states-in-the-world
Nos Countries as per different sources
| Consideration | No of Countries | Source Link |
| World Bank | 189 Member countries | World bank |
| The International Labour Organization (ILO) | 187 Member countries | ILO |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 191 member countries | IMF |
| International Organization for Standardization -ISO 3166-1 (Country codes) | 249 ( countries+ territories+ areas of geographical interest) | ISO |
Conclusion
The number of countries varies based on the criteria and point of reference used, as different perspectives and considerations can lead to different counts.
For 17 years, my passion for the arts has been a guiding force in my life. Over the past 8+ years, I’ve gained valuable experience in content creation and various artistic endeavors. I love to explore things at different angles. currently collaborating Author at various projects.