Here's the surprisingly complex answer to the simple question of how many countries there are in the world . How Many Countries Are There ? As of 2024, there are 195 countries in the world , including 193 UN member States and 02 non-member observer states, the Vatican (the Holy State) and the State of Palestine. To reach a final number of countries in the world , the UN is a reliable source, because there is a specific process for becoming its member. How Many Countries Are There in the World ? (Updated 2025 Guide) Curious about how many countries officially exist in the world ? This updated 2025 guide dives deep into the count of recognized nations, territories, regions, and special cases—supported by the latest data from Worldometer. Explore every nation with our detailed world country list, featuring a Complete list guide and interactive world map with all countries .
