Countries with the most islands are often imagined as tropical nations surrounded by turquoise waters and sandy beaches. However, global island dominance tells a very different story. The world’s most island-rich countries are largely shaped by glaciers, erosion, fractured coastlines, and inland lakes rather than warm climates.
From Scandinavia’s icy archipelagos to Southeast Asia’s densely populated island chains, modern satellite mapping and updated geographic definitions have dramatically reshaped how islands are counted. As a result, several countries now rank far higher than traditionally expected.
This list is based on data from WorldAtlas and World Population Review and includes only natural islands—excluding artificial landforms, rocks, and sandbanks that disappear at high tide.
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1. Norway – 320,249 Islands
Norway ranks first among all countries with the most islands, holding a commanding global lead. Its deeply indented coastline, carved by glaciers over thousands of years, is lined with skerries, fjords, and offshore islands stretching from the Arctic to the southern border with Sweden.
Many of these islands are small and uninhabited, while others support fishing communities that continue to shape Norway’s coastal economy and culture. The inclusion of remote Arctic territories such as Svalbard further strengthens Norway’s position at the top of the list.
2. Sweden – 267,570 Islands
Sweden follows closely behind Norway, with one of the world’s most complex island networks. What sets Sweden apart is the sheer number of freshwater islands found within its vast inland lakes, alongside major Baltic Sea archipelagos.
Although fewer than 1,000 Swedish islands are permanently inhabited, the country’s island geography plays a major role in environmental conservation, tourism, and regional identity.
3. Finland – 178,947 Islands
Finland is globally known as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” but the true number of lakes—and islands within them—is far higher. Each lake contains multiple islands, creating one of the most fragmented landscapes in the world.
When combined with Finland’s Baltic coastline, this unique geography places the country firmly among the top countries with the most islands worldwide.
4. Japan – 120,729 Islands
Japan’s island count increased significantly following a comprehensive remapping project completed in 2023. Using advanced satellite imaging and stricter island definitions, authorities officially recognized thousands of previously unrecorded islands.
While the majority remain uninhabited, the revised count highlights how geographically dispersed Japan’s landmass truly is, extending far beyond its four main islands.
5. Canada – 52,455 Islands
Canada’s islands span the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. From massive landmasses such as Baffin Island to countless unnamed Arctic islets, Canada’s island geography remains one of the least explored due to harsh climates and remote terrain.
Ongoing mapping efforts in the north suggest that Canada’s official island count could continue to evolve in the future.
6. Chile – 43,471 Islands
Chile’s long Pacific coastline hides an extensive maze of islands, particularly in the southern region of Patagonia. Fjords, rain-soaked archipelagos, and narrow channels dominate the landscape.
Many of these islands remain largely untouched by modern infrastructure, accessible only by boat, reinforcing Chile’s status among the world’s most island-rich nations.
7. United States – 18,617 Islands
The United States’ island count includes Alaska’s extensive island chains, coastal islands along the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, the Florida Keys, Hawaii, and overseas territories such as Guam and American Samoa.
Alaska alone contributes a significant portion of the total, with thousands of rugged islands spread across cold northern waters.
8. Indonesia – 17,508 Islands
Indonesia is often referred to as the world’s largest archipelagic nation. However, stricter island-counting criteria place it slightly lower in global rankings.
Despite this, Indonesia’s islands stretch over more than 5,000 kilometres and support one of the largest island-based populations on Earth, ranging from megacities to remote volcanic outposts.
9. Australia – 8,222 Islands
Australia is commonly viewed as a single continental landmass, yet it is surrounded by thousands of offshore islands. From Tasmania in the south to the Torres Strait Islands in the north, these islands reflect Australia’s extensive coastline and ecological diversity.
10. Philippines – 7,641 Islands
Rounding out the list, the Philippines is one of the most densely populated island nations in the world. More than 2,000 of its islands are inhabited, making island connectivity essential for trade, transport, and daily life.
The country’s geography plays a central role in its economy, culture, and regional influence in Southeast Asia.
Why Island Rankings Keep Changing
There is no single global definition of what qualifies as an island. Advances in satellite mapping, rising sea levels, and updated measurement standards continue to reshape official counts.
As a result, rankings of countries with the most islands are not fixed and may change as new data becomes available.
Island dominance is not defined by tropical appeal alone. It is shaped by glaciers, erosion, coastlines, and technology. The countries leading this list demonstrate how geography and modern mapping continue to redefine our understanding of the world.
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