How Many Countries Are There in the World? (2023)

Listen to me talk unscripted for 1 hour about how I got started on YouTube and a little about the last 10 years.

In this video, a re-make of my first ever video, uploaded June 23, 2013, I ask the seemingly simple question: how many countries are there in the world? Turns out the answer is a bit more complicated than it seems!

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:57 Holy See & Palestine
4:51 Kosovo
7:04 Taiwan
12:32 United Kingdom
14:29 Netherlands
15:19 Denmark & French Polynesia
15:55 Free Association
16:59 Unrecognised countries
17:57 Secession movements
19:32 How many countries are there?
20:52 10-year anniversary bonus video

MUSIC:
and
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Select image/footage from Getty Images

[WonderWhy]

10 years since my first video! Genuinely cannot believe it, how times flies! To mark the occassion, I decided to re-make my first video looking at how many countries there are in the world. It was really this question that inspired me to start the channel, and led me down a rabbit hole of curiosities. In this video, which an overhaul of the original script, I try to answer this question that seems simple, but is actually quite complicated.



I was actually quite surprised that not a lot has actually changed. Aside from minor developments, all the numbers are basically the name as last time!

Thanks to each and every one of you for being here with me over this last decade making video, I really do appreciate it. Here's to next 10 years! Cheers!

[alphabravoindia]

Thanks for 10 years of providing YT with valuable knowledge. I remember watching this channel when I was a literal 9 year old, and now as a junior in high school, it's awesome to see this channel going strong! Thanks for the memories

[exploshaun]

Honestly, that list at the end is basically the perfect answer to the question of "How many countries are there" and it's nice that someone finally have it clearly laid out in a video.

[bennyboy]

I wish you mentioned the fact that the ISO counts 249 “countries”.
They count nearly every overseas territory as a separate country, but they count the United Kingdom as 1 country, and don’t list Kosovo.
Also ~10 of the “countries” are uninhabited.

[Adam]

Congratulations on 10 years on YouTube. The fact the comment section is littered with congratulations is testament to the great content and work you've produced over this time. 🎉🎉

[MaxTheCat-ehts]

I remember being 8 and watching this channel, now I’m 18. Here’s to another damn great decade.

[Jack-]

I’ve been watching your videos since I was a child, all those years ago. I may not have been here for all the years, but it’s been close and I’ve loved watching you grow. Your videos get better and better every year, and this whole community of educational YouTubers is just wonderful! Continue the work, you’re a great guy! I look forward to seeing more and more quality and ambition from someone who is already stellar.

[dareo.]

The original of this video was the video which introduced me to your channel. Definitely a long ride... Celebrating 10 years with a remake of the video is lovely

[ryandriver]

Crazy to think it’s been that long. I was 20 when I found this channel and now just turned 30

[unofficialspaghet]

Congratulations on your ten-year anniversary! Not many channels can say they’ve had quality, informative content for a whole decade, but you are one of them. Thank you and once again, congrats on ten years!

[amanicricket]

When the world needed him most he returned

[missm]

Congrats on 10 years! I remember finding your videos as a teenager (at least 5-6 years ago). It's been wonderful seeing your channel grow over time. Here's to another 10 years!

[RossParker]

As a fellow Scot who has watched you for years here and on Nebula I always love when your videos come out. Well worth the wait. Great to see views of the world through a Scottish lense too

[VirtuallyVexed]

My first video of yours I watched was "The Most Complex International Borders in the World" when I was 15 years old. I am now 25 and still ecstatic when you release a video. Your always stellar work gets better every video and I have felt privileged to have grown up with your work. Thank you for all you have brought to educational YouTube! Best from a fellow Scot!

[TheRemco]

Congrats on 10 years! Genuinely love your videos and I rewatch them from time to time. Cheers to many more!

[fidtrumpdump]

I stumbled across the original video probably about 8 years ago now, and ever since I have been watching every upload and learning so much more about the world. You are what got me into Geography and History, and after a lot of life struggles you’re videos brighten up my day, I was so happy to see your videos again once I rediscovered your channel a couple years ago and subscribed. Keep it up WonderWhy, we love you!!

[mrkrabbbbz]

i've been watching you since 2017 and all your videos are incredible. keep up the good work!

[godtiermtg]

I love your videos so much! I’m not much of a geography or history person usually, but you’ve consistently been one of my favorite channels to watch. I remember watching your channel when you had only a couple thousand subscribers, and telling everyone I knew that they should check you out. Cheers to another decade!

[elitettelbach]

Congrats on 10 years!! I remember watching the original video when it first came out. As you mentioned, it’s interesting that not too much has changed regarding this issue in the past decade. Keep up the great work :)

[Professorgutierrez]

Happy 10 years! I’ve enjoyed your channel and still remember when the original video was new. You’ve taught me so much, keep up the great work! God bless!