Number of neighboring countries

In brief

Number of neighboring countries: across 223 countries and territories, values range from 0 countries (Samoa) to 14 countries (China), with a world median of 2 countries. Data: 2026. The top 10% of countries exceed 6 countries, while the bottom 10% stay below 0 countries. By continent, the median is highest in Europe (4 countries) and lowest in Oceania (0 countries).

Median by continent

Why this indicator matters

This indicator counts the countries that touch a country's territory by land. It helps in understanding its geographic position, its exchanges with neighbors and its border issues. It identifies countries at the crossroads of several regions.

What makes this indicator vary

The number stems from geography and history: the shape and size of the territory, and how borders were drawn over the centuries. A landlocked country in the middle of a continent often has more neighbors. Islands have none, unless they share territory with another country.

Reading precautions

It counts only land borders, not maritime borders. It can change with the creation or disappearance of states, and some disputed borders are counted differently depending on the source. It says nothing about the length of the borders.