Which Country Has the Most Islands?

The answer depends on how you define and count "islands." A 2023 study using satellite data identified Sweden as having approximately 267,570 islands of at least 25 square metres, far more than previously counted. Sweden extensive archipelagos — the Stockholm Archipelago alone has about 30,000 islands — formed during the last ice age as glaciers carved and deposited rock across the Baltic coast. Norway follows with about 239,057 islands, many along its famously fjord-carved coastline. Finland has about 178,947, and Indonesia about 17,508 (though Indonesia islands are generally much larger). The Philippines has over 7,641 islands. Counting methods vary: some tallies include only islands above a certain size or those with permanent inhabitants. If measured by total island coastline or average island size, Indonesia and the Philippines would rank higher.