The following is a list providing an overview of sovereign states around the world with information on their status and recognition of their sovereignty.
The 205 listed states can be divided into three categories based on membership within the United Nations System: 193 UN member states, two UN General Assembly non-member observer states, and ten other states. The sovereignty dispute column indicates states having undisputed sovereignty (189 states, of which there are 188 UN member states and one UN General Assembly non-member observer state), states having disputed sovereignty (14 states, of which there are five UN member states, one UN General Assembly non-member observer state, and eight de facto states), and states having a special political status (two states, both in free association with New Zealand).
Compiling a list such as this can be complicated and controversial, as there is no definition that is binding on all the members of the community of nations concerning the criteria for statehood. For more information on the criteria used to determine the contents of this list, please see the criteria for inclusion section below. The list is intended to include entities that have been recognised as having de facto status as sovereign states, and inclusion should not be seen as an endorsement of any specific claim to statehood in legal terms.
Tables
· List of states › UN member states and General Assembly observer states
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Albania – Republic of Albania
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Andorra – Principality of Andorra
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Andorra is a co-principality in which the office of head of state is jointly held ex officio by the French president and the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Urgell, who himself is appointed with approval from the Holy See.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Angola – Republic of Angola
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Antigua and Barbuda
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm with one autonomous region, Barbuda.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Argentina – Argentine Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Argentina is a federation of 23 provinces and one autonomous city.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Armenia – Republic of Armenia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Australia – Commonwealth of Australia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Australia is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of both states and territories. There are six states, three internal territories, six external territories and one claimed Antarctic external territory. The external territories of Australia are:
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Coral Sea Islands Territory
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Austria – Republic of Austria
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the European Union. Austria is a federation of nine states.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Azerbaijan contains one autonomous region, Nakhchivan.
Bahamas, The – Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Bahamas, The – Commonwealth of The Bahamas
A
B
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Bahamas, The – Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → The ruling Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in power since 2021, has not been recognised by the United Nations or any other state except Russia. The United Nations decided in 2022 that the defunct Islamic Republic of Afghanistan had stopped being the official representative of Afghanistan at the United Nations on 15 August 2021, when it ceased func
The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Barbados
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Belarus – Republic of Belarus
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Many states rescinded their recognition of President Alexander Lukashenko following the disputed 2020 election. Lithuania currently recognises Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Coordination Council as the legitimate government of Belarus.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU. Belgium is a federation of three linguistic communities and three regions.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Belize
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Belize is a Commonwealth realm.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Benin – Republic of Benin
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Bosnia and Herzegovina has two constituent entities:
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Republika Srpska
and Brčko District, a self-governing administrative district.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Botswana – Republic of Botswana
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Brazil is a federation of 26 states and one federal district.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Brunei – Brunei Darussalam
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Burkina Faso
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Burundi – Republic of Burundi
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
A
C
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Canada
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Canada is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 10 provinces and three territories.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Cape Verde – Republic of Cabo Verde
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Central African Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Chad – Republic of Chad
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Chile – Republic of Chile
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Chile has one special territory, Easter Island.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
China – People's Republic of China
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
Partially unrecognised. BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands
Sovereignty dispute → A None
China contains five autonomous regions, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Additionally, it has sovereignty over two Special Administrative Regions:
Hong Kong
Macao
China claims, but does not control, Taiwan, which is governed by a rival administration (the Republic of China) that claims all of China as its territory.
China i
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Colombia – Republic of Colombia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Comoros – Union of the Comoros
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Comoros is a federation of three islands.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Congo, Republic of the
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Croatia – Republic of Croatia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Cuba – Republic of Cuba
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
Not recognised by Turkey
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU. The northeastern part of the island is the de facto state of Northern Cyprus.
Cyprus is not recognised by Turkey due to the Cyprus problem, with Turkey recognising Northern Cyprus.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Czech Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
A
D
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → The ruling Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in power since 2021, has not been recognised by the United Nations or any other state except Russia. The United Nations decided in 2022 that the defunct Islamic Republic of Afghanistan had stopped being the official representative of Afghanistan at the United Nations on 15 August 2021, when it ceased func
Member of the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark includes two self-governing territories:
Faroe Islands
Greenland
The metropolitan territory of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland form the three constituent countries of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Denmark as a whole is a member of the EU, but EU law (in most cases) does not apply to the Faroe Islan
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Dominican Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador
A
E
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Eritrea – State of Eritrea
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Estonia – Republic of Estonia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Eswatini – Kingdom of Eswatini
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Ethiopia is a federation of 12 regions and two chartered cities.
Fiji – Republic of Fiji
Fiji – Republic of Fiji
A
F
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Fiji – Republic of Fiji
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → The ruling Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in power since 2021, has not been recognised by the United Nations or any other state except Russia. The United Nations decided in 2022 that the defunct Islamic Republic of Afghanistan had stopped being the official representative of Afghanistan at the United Nations on 15 August 2021, when it ceased func
Fiji contains one autonomous region, Rotuma.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Finland – Republic of Finland
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
France – French Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU. France contains five overseas regions/departments; French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion. France also includes eight overseas territories:
Clipperton Island
French Polynesia
New Caledonia
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Wallis and Futuna
French Southern and Antarctic Lan
Gabon – Gabonese Republic
Gabon – Gabonese Republic
A
G
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Gabon – Gabonese Republic
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Gambia, The – Republic of The Gambia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Georgia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Georgia contains two autonomous republics, Adjara and Abkhazia. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de facto states have been formed.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Germany – Federal Republic of Germany
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU. Germany is a federation of 16 states.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Ghana – Republic of Ghana
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Greece – Hellenic Republic
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU. Greece contains one autonomous area, Mount Athos.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Grenada
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Grenada is a Commonwealth realm.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Guinea – Republic of Guinea
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Haiti – Republic of Haiti
Haiti – Republic of Haiti
A
H
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Haiti – Republic of Haiti
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Honduras – Republic of Honduras
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Hungary
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Member of the EU.
Iceland
Iceland
A
I
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Iceland
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A UN member state
Sovereignty dispute → A None
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
India – Republic of India
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
India is a federation of 28 states and eight union territories.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Indonesia has nine autonomous provinces: Aceh, Jakarta, Central Papua, Highland Papua, Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, West Papua, and Yogyakarta.
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
A UN member state
A UN member state
A
Iraq – Republic of Iraq
Common and formal names → Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
Membership within the UN System → A UN member state
A None
Sovereignty dispute → A None
Iraq is a federation of 19 governorates, four of which make up the autonomous Kurdistan Region.
Ranked list
Common and formal names
Membership within the UN System
Sovereignty dispute
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
A
Afghanistan – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
A UN member state
A None
The ruling Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in power since 2021, has not been recognised by the United Nations or any other state except Russia. The United Nations decided in 2022 that the defunct Islamic Republic of Afghanistan had stopped being the official representative of Afghanistan at the United Nations on 15 August 2021, when it ceased func
Albania – Republic of Albania
A UN member state
A None
Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
A UN member state
A None
Andorra – Principality of Andorra
A UN member state
A None
Andorra is a co-principality in which the office of head of state is jointly held ex officio by the French president and the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Urgell, who himself is appointed with approval from the Holy See.
Angola – Republic of Angola
A UN member state
A None
Antigua and Barbuda
A UN member state
A None
Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm with one autonomous region, Barbuda.
Argentina – Argentine Republic
A UN member state
A None
Argentina is a federation of 23 provinces and one autonomous city.
Armenia – Republic of Armenia
A UN member state
A None
Australia – Commonwealth of Australia
A UN member state
A None
Australia is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of both states and territories. There are six states, three internal territories, six external territories and one claimed Antarctic external territory. The external territories of Australia are: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Coral Sea Islands Territory
Austria – Republic of Austria
A UN member state
A None
Member of the European Union. Austria is a federation of nine states.
Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan
A UN member state
A None
Azerbaijan contains one autonomous region, Nakhchivan.
B
Bahamas, The – Commonwealth of The Bahamas
A UN member state
A None
The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.
Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain
A UN member state
A None
Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh
A UN member state
A None
Barbados
A UN member state
A None
Belarus – Republic of Belarus
A UN member state
A None
Many states rescinded their recognition of President Alexander Lukashenko following the disputed 2020 election. Lithuania currently recognises Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Coordination Council as the legitimate government of Belarus.
Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium
A UN member state
A None
Member of the EU. Belgium is a federation of three linguistic communities and three regions.
Belize
A UN member state
A None
Belize is a Commonwealth realm.
Benin – Republic of Benin
A UN member state
A None
Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan
A UN member state
A None
Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia
A UN member state
A None
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A UN member state
A None
Bosnia and Herzegovina has two constituent entities: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Republika Srpska and Brčko District, a self-governing administrative district.
Botswana – Republic of Botswana
A UN member state
A None
Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil
A UN member state
A None
Brazil is a federation of 26 states and one federal district.
Brunei – Brunei Darussalam
A UN member state
A None
Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria
A UN member state
A None
Member of the EU.
Burkina Faso
A UN member state
A None
Burundi – Republic of Burundi
A UN member state
A None
C
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
A UN member state
A None
Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon
A UN member state
A None
Canada
A UN member state
A None
Canada is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 10 provinces and three territories.
Cape Verde – Republic of Cabo Verde
A UN member state
A None
Central African Republic
A UN member state
A None
Chad – Republic of Chad
A UN member state
A None
Chile – Republic of Chile
A UN member state
A None
Chile has one special territory, Easter Island.
China – People's Republic of China
A UN member state
Partially unrecognised. BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands
China contains five autonomous regions, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Additionally, it has sovereignty over two Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong Macao China claims, but does not control, Taiwan, which is governed by a rival administration (the Republic of China) that claims all of China as its territory. China i
Colombia – Republic of Colombia
A UN member state
A None
Comoros – Union of the Comoros
A UN member state
A None
Comoros is a federation of three islands.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
A UN member state
A None
Congo, Republic of the
A UN member state
A None
Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica
A UN member state
A None
Croatia – Republic of Croatia
A UN member state
A None
Member of the EU.
Cuba – Republic of Cuba
A UN member state
A None
Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus
A UN member state
Not recognised by Turkey
Member of the EU. The northeastern part of the island is the de facto state of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus is not recognised by Turkey due to the Cyprus problem, with Turkey recognising Northern Cyprus.
Czech Republic
A UN member state
A None
Member of the EU.
D
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
A UN member state
A None
Member of the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark includes two self-governing territories: Faroe Islands Greenland The metropolitan territory of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland form the three constituent countries of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Denmark as a whole is a member of the EU, but EU law (in most cases) does not apply to the Faroe Islan
Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti
A UN member state
A None
Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica
A UN member state
A None
Dominican Republic
A UN member state
A None
· List of states › Other states
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Cook Islands
Cook Islands
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Cook Islands
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D Member of eight UN specialised agencies
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
A None
(See political status)
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A state in free association with New Zealand, the Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations with at least 65 UN member states and 3 other states and is recognised as a sovereign state by a number of them. The Cook Islands is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty-making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as ha
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D Member of two UN specialised agencies
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands Claimed by Mauritius Cl
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was placed under the administration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in 1999. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and it has received diplomatic recognition from 118 UN member states, the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Republic of China (Taiwan), while
Niue
Niue
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Niue
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D Member of five UN specialised agencies
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
A None
(See political status)
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A state in free association with New Zealand, Niue maintains diplomatic relations with at least 28 UN member states and 2 other states and is recognised as a sovereign state by a number of them. Niue is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty-making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship.
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D No membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Claimed by Cyprus. Occupied by Turkey.
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Recognised only by Turkey. Under the name "Turkish Cypriot State", it is an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D No membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Claimed and occupied by Morocco.
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
The Polisario Front, which administers the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, is recognised by the UN as the legitimate representative of the people of Western Sahara. Recognised at some stage by 84 UN member states, 38 of which have since withdrawn or frozen their recognition. It is a founding member of the African Union, an international organisat
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D No membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands Claimed by Mauritius Cl
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A de facto independent state recognised by Israel. Claimed in whole by the Federal Republic of Somalia.
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D No membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A de facto independent state, recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, Abkhazia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia through the Administration of South Ossetia.
Taiwan – Republic of China
Taiwan – Republic of China
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Taiwan – Republic of China
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D UN member state until 1971, now no membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Partially unrecognised. BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A state competing (nominally) for recognition with the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the government of China since 1949. The Republic of China (ROC) controls the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, and Pratas Island, as well as Taiping Island and Zhongzhou Reef of the Spratly Islands, and has not renounced claims over its an
Transnistria – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
Transnistria – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
Common and formal names → Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
Transnistria – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
Membership within the UN System → D No membership
D No membership
Sovereignty dispute → Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Claimed by Moldova. Occupied by Russia.
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty → Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
A de facto independent state, recognised only by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by Moldova.
Ranked list
Common and formal names
Membership within the UN System
Sovereignty dispute
Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
D No membership
Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
Recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Cook Islands
D Member of eight UN specialised agencies
A None (See political status)
A state in free association with New Zealand, the Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations with at least 65 UN member states and 3 other states and is recognised as a sovereign state by a number of them. The Cook Islands is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty-making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as ha
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo
D Member of two UN specialised agencies
BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands Claimed by Mauritius Cl
Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was placed under the administration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in 1999. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and it has received diplomatic recognition from 118 UN member states, the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Republic of China (Taiwan), while
Niue
D Member of five UN specialised agencies
A None (See political status)
A state in free association with New Zealand, Niue maintains diplomatic relations with at least 28 UN member states and 2 other states and is recognised as a sovereign state by a number of them. Niue is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty-making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship.
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
D No membership
Claimed by Cyprus. Occupied by Turkey.
Recognised only by Turkey. Under the name "Turkish Cypriot State", it is an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
D No membership
Claimed and occupied by Morocco.
The Polisario Front, which administers the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, is recognised by the UN as the legitimate representative of the people of Western Sahara. Recognised at some stage by 84 UN member states, 38 of which have since withdrawn or frozen their recognition. It is a founding member of the African Union, an international organisat
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland
D No membership
BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands Claimed by Mauritius Cl
A de facto independent state recognised by Israel. Claimed in whole by the Federal Republic of Somalia.
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania
D No membership
Claimed by Georgia. Occupied by Russia.
A de facto independent state, recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, Abkhazia, and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia through the Administration of South Ossetia.
Taiwan – Republic of China
D UN member state until 1971, now no membership
Partially unrecognised. BClaimed by AfghanistanClaimed by GeorgiaClaimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Indonesia Claimed by the Marshall Islands
A state competing (nominally) for recognition with the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the government of China since 1949. The Republic of China (ROC) controls the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, and Pratas Island, as well as Taiping Island and Zhongzhou Reef of the Spratly Islands, and has not renounced claims over its an
Transnistria – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
D No membership
Claimed by Moldova. Occupied by Russia.
A de facto independent state, recognised only by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by Moldova.
References
The following bullets are grouped according to the availability of sources for the two criteria ((a) or (b)). This arran
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is not included, as despite being a sovereign entity it lacks territory and does n
This column indicates whether or not a state is a member of the United Nations. It also indicates which non-member state
This column indicates whether or not a state is the subject of a major sovereignty dispute. Only states whose entire sov
The member states of the European Union have transferred part of their sovereignty in the form of legislative, executive
Information is included on:
The extent to which a state's sovereignty is recognised internationally. More information ca
Commonwealth realm refers to any member state of the Commonwealth of Nations whose head of state is King Charles III. Ea
For more information on divisions with a high degree of autonomy, see List of autonomous areas by country.
The Argentine Constitution (Art. 35) recognises the following denominations for Argentina: "United Provinces of the Río
More information on more or less federal structures can be found at Federal governments.
Argentina's claimed Antarctic territory of Argentine Antarctica (Antártida Argentina) is one of five constituent departm
"Azerbaijan Republic" is sometimes used in an official capacity.
The legal name for Canada is the sole word; an officially sanctioned, though disused, name is Dominion of Canada (which
The government of Cape Verde declared "Cabo Verde" to be the official English name of the country in 2013.
Chile's claimed Antarctic territory of the Chilean Antarctic (Antártica Chilena) is a commune of the Antártica Chilena P
The People's Republic of China (PRC) is commonly referred to as "China", while the Republic of China (ROC) is commonly r
In 1949, the Republic of China government led by the Kuomintang (KMT) lost the Chinese Civil War to the Chinese Communis
See also Dates of establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and Foreign relations of Chi
Also known as Congo-Kinshasa. Formerly referred to as Zaire, its official name from 1971 to 1997.
Also known as Congo-Brazzaville.
We use cookies for privacy-friendly analytics to improve Topzle. You can accept or decline—essential features work either way.
See our Privacy Policy.
