Top 10 Countries with the Most Islands in the World. From ice-covered archipelagos to tropical atolls lined with palms, islands exist in countless forms and sizes. Although, Bali was declared most beautiful island in Asia in 2025. The global trends show there are lot more options when it comes to islands. Interestingly, the islands spread across Europe, Asia, Americas and different regions in the world.
However, not all countries boast the same number of them. The nations leading in island count aren’t limited to sun-soaked tourist destinations or volcanic chains. They often include places with rugged fjords, fragmented coastlines, and lake-filled interiors. They have formed thousands of individual landmasses.
This leads to a surprisingly complex question: which countries have the most islands? The answer varies depending on geography and how each country defines an island. Some include even the smallest landforms that remain above water at high tide, while others use more specific criteria such as minimum size or shoreline length.
Improved satellite mapping has also contributed to growing totals, as previously unnoticed islets are now being documented. In short, definitions may differ, but with the best available data, meaningful comparisons can still be made.
10 Countries with Most Islands in The World
1- Sweden
No other country comes close. While fewer than 1,000 are inhabited, Sweden’s intricate network of freshwater and marine islands, many tiny and forested, make it the undisputed leader.
2- Norway
From Arctic Svalbard to the southern skerries, Norway’s rugged, fjord-lined coast is broken up by an extraordinary number of small islands.
Islands: 239,057
3- Finland
Like its Scandinavian neighbours, Finland has a deeply fragmented landscape, especially in the archipelago and lake regions.
Islands: 178,947
4- Canada
Canada’s Arctic and Pacific coasts are dotted with large and small islands, from Baffin to Vancouver. Many are uninhabited and remote.
Islands: 52,455
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5- United States of America (USA)
The U.S. count includes everything from Alaskan islets to Florida Keys and Pacific territories like Guam and American Samoa.
Islands: 18,617
6- Indonesia
The world’s largest archipelagic state stretches over 5,000km and includes thousands of inhabited and uninhabited islands, many volcanic.
Islands: 17,504
7- Australia
While often thought of as a continental landmass, Australia’s outlying island groups, from Tasmania to the Torres Strait, add up.
Islands: 8,222
8- Philippines
With over 2,000 inhabited islands, the Philippines is one of the most archipelagic nations in the world.
Islands: 7,641
9- Japan
Japan’s previous count stood for decades, but a 2023 update using modern mapping technology more than doubled the official figure.
Islands: 14,125
10- Chile
Patagonia and the country’s long Pacific coast hide thousands of islands, especially in the fjord-rich south.
Islands: 5,000
