How many countries are there in the world

No, there are not 256 recognized countries in the world. The confusion often comes from including dependent territories, autonomous regions, and non-sovereign entities. The official count remains at:

195 countries (193 UN member states + 2 UN observer states).

Some extended lists may go up to 249–256 entities by including territories like Bermuda, Greenland, Hong Kong, etc., but these are not independent countries.

The number 249 typically refers to the ISO 3166-1 list, which includes:

• Countries
• Dependent territories
• Special administrative regions

So, while 249 is valid in technical or database contexts, it does not reflect the count of sovereign nations. The global standard remains 195 countries.

This depends on the criteria:

• Economically (GDP): United States
• Military Power: United States
• Human Development Index (HDI): Switzerland, Norway, or Ireland (varies yearly)
• Passport Strength: Often Japan, Singapore, or Germany
• Olympics/Soft Power: Varies per event/year

• 195 is the official count: 193 UN members + 2 observers (Vatican City and Palestine).
• The 197 figure often includes Taiwan and Kosovo, which are recognized by many but not UN members.

So both are technically correct depending on whether you count disputed/partially recognized states.

As of the latest data (2024–2025), the poorest country in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) is generally considered to be:

Burundi or South Sudan

These countries face severe poverty, political instability, and lack of basic infrastructure.

India is classified as a developing country or lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank. While it's the 5th largest economy by nominal GDP and has a fast-growing middle class, poverty, inequality, and infrastructure challenges still exist. So, India is economically powerful, but not yet a “rich country” per capita.

The smallest country in the world by area and population is: Vatican City 

• Area: 0.49 square kilometers
• Population: Around 800 It is an independent city-state located within Rome, Italy.

The richest country in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) is usually: Luxembourg, followed closely by Qatar, Ireland, and Singapore