Africa has the most countries, while Asia holds more than half the world's population
Africa has more internationally recognised countries than any other continent, while Asia is home to the largest population, according to figures compiled by World Population Review.
Key points
- Africa leads the world with 54 countries.
- Asia has 49 countries and about five billion people.
- Oceania has the fewest countries, with 14.
Africa has more internationally recognised countries than any other continent, while Asia is home to the largest population, according to figures compiled by World Population Review.
Africa has 54 widely recognised sovereign countries, ranging from Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, to Seychelles, one of its smallest.
Despite having the most countries, Africa ranks second in population, with approximately 1.58 billion people in the infographic's estimates.
Asia follows with 49 countries and roughly five billion people, accounting for about 59% of the world's population. China and India alone are home to more than 2.8 billion people.
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Europe has 43 countries under the map's classification, with a combined population of approximately 743 million.
The Americas, which include North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, have 35 sovereign countries and around 1.06 billion people.
The United States, Brazil and Mexico account for a large share of the region's population.
Oceania has the fewest countries, with 14, and the smallest population, at approximately 47 million. Australia accounts for more than half of the region's residents.
Although the map provides a useful comparison, the number of countries assigned to each continent can vary depending on geographical and political definitions.
Some countries, including Russia and Türkiye, span continental boundaries, while the recognition of certain territories and disputed states also affects the totals.
The map uses a five-region model that combines North and South America into one region and does not count Antarctica, which has no sovereign countries.
The figures highlight two different patterns: Africa has the greatest number of countries, but Asia remains the world's main population centre.
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This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
