Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area
The 10 largest countries by surface area, from Russia (17,098,246 km²) to Algeria (2,381,741 km²).
Together they cover 55.3% of the 195 countries' combined area.
Areas: UN Demographic Yearbook 2024 · Population: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (2026)
World Surface Area Map — top 10 highlighted
The 10 largest countries are highlighted and labeled with their surface area. Click a label to open the country.
Top 10 Countries by Surface Area
Areas: UN Demographic Yearbook 2024The 10 largest countries compared
All 195 countries ranked by area →| # | Country | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) | % of combined | Population (2026) | Density /km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 17,098,246 | 6,601,670 | 12.8% | 143.4M (#9) | 8.39 |
| 2 | Canada | 9,984,670 | 3,855,103 | 7.5% | 40.5M (#38) | 4.05 |
| 3 | United States | 9,833,517 | 3,796,742 | 7.4% | 349.0M (#3) | 35.5 |
| 4 | China | 9,600,000 | 3,706,581 | 7.2% | 1.41B (#2) | 147 |
| 5 | Brazil | 8,510,417 | 3,285,890 | 6.4% | 213.6M (#7) | 25.1 |
| 6 | Australia* | 7,692,060 | 2,969,921 | 5.8% | 27.2M (#55) | 3.54 |
| 7 | India | 3,287,263 | 1,269,219 | 2.5% | 1.48B (#1) | 449 |
| 8 | Argentina* | 2,780,400 | 1,073,518 | 2.1% | 46.0M (#35) | 16.5 |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 2,724,910 | 1,052,094 | 2.0% | 21.1M (#64) | 7.74 |
| 10 | Algeria | 2,381,741 | 919,595 | 1.8% | 48.0M (#32) | 20.2 |
- * Australia — Includes Norfolk Island (36 km²), listed separately in the Yearbook; the UN population estimates include it in Australia.
- * Argentina — The Yearbook figure (2,796,427 km²) follows Argentina's national definition (continental areas and islands, excluding Antarctica); FAO surface area (2023) used to match the territory of the UN population estimates.
About the data
- Areas are the UN Demographic Yearbook 2024 surface areas reported by national statistical offices.
- Exceptions: Sudan (not reported in the Yearbook), Comoros and Argentina (the Yearbook figure covers territory the UN population estimates count separately) use FAO surface area for 2023.
- Finland, Norway and Australia add territories the Yearbook lists separately but the UN population estimates include: the Åland Islands; Svalbard and Jan Mayen; Norfolk Island.
- FAO surface area is not used generally because recent FAO figures include some coastal waters for several countries (for example Canada 15,634,410 km², Monaco 74.9 km², Norway 624,500 km²).
- Areas are national definitions as reported to the UN and can differ from other published figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 10 largest countries?
1. Russia (17,098,246 km²), 2. Canada (9,984,670 km²), 3. United States (9,833,517 km²), 4. China (9,600,000 km²), 5. Brazil (8,510,417 km²), 6. Australia (7,692,060 km²), 7. India (3,287,263 km²), 8. Argentina (2,780,400 km²), 9. Kazakhstan (2,724,910 km²), 10. Algeria (2,381,741 km²).
What is the largest country in the world?
Russia, at 17,098,246 km² (6,601,670 mi²) — 12.8% of the 195 countries' combined surface area.
How much of the world do the top 10 cover?
The 10 largest make up 55.3% of the 195 countries' combined surface area; Russia alone is 12.8%.
Is the United States bigger than China?
By surface area in the UN Demographic Yearbook 2024, yes: the United States is 9,833,517 km² and China is 9,600,000 km².
What is the largest country in each region?
Europe: Russia (17,098,246 km²); Americas: Canada (9,984,670 km²); Asia: China (9,600,000 km²); Oceania: Australia (7,692,060 km²); Africa: Algeria (2,381,741 km²).
Where does the area data come from?
Surface area (land plus inland waters) is from the UN Demographic Yearbook 2024 for 192 countries, with FAO 2023 figures for Sudan, Comoros and Argentina. Population is from UN World Population Prospects 2024 for 2026.