In this article, we will be taking a look at the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 10 Biggest Countries on Earth by Area.
Some of the Largest Economies by Area
According to a report by the International Monetary Fund, the 3 largest economies for 2024 are expected to be the United States, China, and Germany. The U.S. Commerce Department Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the gross domestic product (GDP) in the United States increased by 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and the number of jobs also saw an increase of 2.7 million. Reports suggest that consumer spending in the US has been consistently increasing, with high retail sales. A 4.2% increase in citizens' disposable income suggests that US citizens have the flexibility to spend and invest. Moreover, a 4.5% increase in personal savings rate is also a positive indicator that the economy of the US is stable, with citizens leading comfortable lives.
On January 26, Reuters reported that China's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 5.2% in 2023, compared to the previous year. In 2023, China faced weak investor confidence and smaller businesses in China suffered without adequate investments. However, estimates suggest that the country's GDP is set to increase by 5% in 2024.
Canada is one of the biggest economies of the biggest countries on Earth by area. The country's economy is heavily dependent on international trade as it accounts for one-third of the country's GDP. According to data provided by World Economics, Canada's GDP for 2023 was approximately $1.928 trillion. The services industry, real estate industry, and mining are key industries in the country and have helped sustain Canada's economy.
Business in the Biggest Countries on Earth
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA), and Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) are some of the biggest companies in the top 3 biggest countries on Earth by area. Let's discuss some recent updates from these companies. You can also take a look at the 24 biggest industries in the world in 2024.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a leader in software development, services, solutions, and devices. The company's latest achievement in diversifying its portfolio is the transformation of the healthcare industry in the US through AI technology. On March 11, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced its latest AI collaboration with leading healthcare providers in the US, Trustworthy & Responsible AI Network (TRAIN). Some of the prominent members of the network are Johns Hopkins Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Duke Health. The collaboration also includes OCHIN, a national network of health organizations, and TruBridge, a partner in community healthcare. The TRAIN AI will help members share best practices, increase the efficiency and productivity of the healthcare industry, and enable better care outcomes for all users.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) is the biggest company in China and dominates the e-commerce and retail industries. On February 7, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) reported earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.64, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.01. The company reported a revenue of $36.19 billion and outperformed revenue estimates by $215.08 billion. Here are some comments from the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) Q4 2023 earnings call:
In fiscal year 2023, we generated US$25 billion in free cash flow that was mainly contributed by this business, and we believe it will continue to generate strong free cash flow in the future. In the future, as a result of the reorganization, our additional source of funds will come from monetization of our consolidated businesses. As Daniel mentioned, our Board has approved the following transactions as initial phase of our capital management planning. First, for Alibaba International Digital Commerce Business Group, or AIDC, we are confident of its opportunities and growth prospect, and we plan to start its external financing process. The capital raise will assist the business group to expand into new geographic markets, invest in new technologies, grow its consumer and supplier base, strengthen its management team and develop and enhance its products and services to its customers globally.
Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) is the largest bank and financial services company in Canada. It is a diversified financial services company that offers personal, commercial, wealth management, insurance, and capital markets services. The company has several subsidiaries such as the City National Bank, RBC Bank, RBC Royal Trust, and Brewin Dolphin. On February 28, Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY) reported earnings for the fiscal first quarter of 2024. The company reported an EPS of $2.10 and outperformed estimates by $0.04. The revenue of the bank amounted to $9.93 billion for the quarter. Here are some comments from the company's Q1 2024 earnings call:
We believe there's significant opportunity for continued growth and we will continue to invest in advisor recruitment across North America. In contrast, net interest income in our Wealth Management businesses were impacted by similar trends seen in Canadian Banking, namely a shift from deposits into higher-yielding products. RBC Global Asset Management's AUM increased 6% from last year, benefiting from higher markets. Canadian retail net outflows this quarter were less than 1% of opening AUM, outperforming the industry, which has faced a challenging backdrop over the last year. We are confident that our leading franchises are well positioned to capture money in motion back into investment products, following a shift in the interest rate outlook and risk sentiment, particularly when it comes to fixed income strategies, which is one of our core strengths.
We sourced our data for the biggest countries on Earth by area from CIA.GOV. We have ranked the countries by their total area in square kilometers, which is the total land area plus the area of all water bodies within a country's territories. The 50 biggest countries on Earth by area are listed in ascending order below.
50 Biggest Countries on Earth by Area
50. Kenya
Total Area (Km²) = 580,367
Ranked 50th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area is Kenya. It is a country situated in East Africa and is the 7th most populated country in Africa. The country has a rich heritage and a diverse wildlife in its vast landscapes that attracts tourists. The total area of Kenya is 0.58 million square kilometers.
49. Botswana
Total Area (Km²) = 581,730
Botswana ranks 49th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. It is located in Southern Africa and shares a border with South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The main industry in Botswana is diamond mining. The total area of Botswana is 0.581 million square kilometers.
48. Madagascar
Total Area (Km²) = 587,041
Madagascar is an island situated in the southwestern Indian Ocean and is the fourth largest island in the world. The country has rich natural resources and attracts scores of tourists each year with its breathtaking natural beauty. The total area of Madagascar is 0.587 million square kilometers.
47. Ukraine
Total Area (Km²) = 603,550
Ukraine ranks 47th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. It is an East European country, sharing a border with Russia which has left to the current Russo-Ukrainian war. Its other neighboring countries are Belarus, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova. The total area of Ukraine is 0.60 million square kilometers.
46. Central African Republic
Total Area (Km²) = 622,984
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country situated in Africa. The total area of the Central African Republic is 0.62 million square kilometers.
45. Somalia
Total Area (Km²) = 637,657
Somalia ranks 45th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Somalia is 0.63 million square kilometers.
44. France
Total Area (Km²) = 622,984
France is a country situated in northwestern Europe. The capital of the country is Paris, which attracts tourists with its history and culture. The total area of France is 0.62 million square kilometers.
43. South Sudan
Total Area (Km²) = 644,329
South Sudan ranks 43rd on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. It is a landlocked country in northeastern Africa. The total area of South Sudan is 0.64 million square kilometers.
42. Afghanistan
Total Area (Km²) = 652,230
Afghanistan is situated in Central Asia and South Asia. The country faces many political, economic, and social conflicts led by war that has resulted in an economic collapse. The total area of Afghanistan is 0.65 million square kilometers.
41. Burma
Total Area (Km²) = 676,578
Burma ranks 41st on our list of the biggest countries in the world by area. It is a Southeast Asian country bordering with Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. The total area of Burma is 0.67 million square kilometers.
40. Morocco
Total Area (Km²) = 716,550
Morroco ranks 40th on our list of the biggest countries in the world by area. It is situated in North Africa and has a diverse landscape with mountains, desserts, and old architecture. The total area of Morroco is 0.71 million square kilometers.
39. Zambia
Total Area (Km²) = 752,618
Zambia ranks 39th on our list of the 50 biggest countries in the world. The total area of Zambia is 0.75 million square kilometers.
38. Chile
Total Area (Km²) = 756,102
Chile is a western South American country. The country is most famous for its extreme natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes. The total area of Chile is 0.75 million square kilometers.
37. Turkey
Total Area (Km²) = 783,562
Turkey is a country connecting Europe and Asia. The country has a rich history and culture and attracts millions of tourists each year. The total area of Turkey is 0.78 million square kilometers.
36. Pakistan
Total Area (Km²) = 796,095
Pakistan is a Central Asian country, that shares a border with India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran. The coastline of the country connects it to the Indian Ocean in the south. The total area of Pakistan is 0.79 million square kilometers.
35. Mozambique
Total Area (Km²) = 799,380
Mozambique ranks 35th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Mozambique is 0.799 million square kilometers.
34. Namibia
Total Area (Km²) = 824,292
Namibia is a southern African country and is the driest and hottest country in sub-Saharan Africa. The country has been facing economic challenges due to political conflicts. The total area of Namibia is 0.82 million square kilometers.
33. Venezuela
Total Area (Km²) = 912,050
Venezuela ranks 33rd on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Venezuela is 0.91 million square kilometers.
32. Nigeria
Total Area (Km²) = 923,768
Nigeria ranks 32nd on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. It is situated in West Africa and is the most populated country in Africa. The total area of Nigeria is 0.92 million square kilometers.
31. Tanzania
Total Area (Km²) = 947,300
Tanzania ranks 31st on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Tanzania is 0.94 million square kilometers.
30. Egypt
Total Area (Km²) = 1,001,450
Eqypt is situated in the northeast of Africa and Southwest of Asia. The country is most famous for its pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The total area of Egypt is 1.00 million square kilometers.
29. Mauritania
Total Area (Km²) = 1,030,700
Ranking 29th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area is Mauritania. The total area of Mauritania is 1.03 million square kilometers.
28. Bolivia
Total Area (Km²) = 1,098,581
Bolivia is situated in western-central South America. The country borders with Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay. The total area of Bolivia is 1.09 million square kilometers.
27. Ethiopia
Total Area (Km²) = 1,104,300
Ethiopia ranks 27th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Ethiopia is 1.1 million square kilometers.
26. Colombia
Total Area (Km²) = 1,138,910
Colombia is situated in northwestern South America. It is bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador. The total area of Colombia is 1.13 million square kilometers.
25. South Africa
Total Area (Km²) = 1,219,090
Ranking 25th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area is South Africa. It is situated in the south of the African continent and borders with 6 countries. The total area is 1.21 million square kilometers.
24. Mali
Total Area (Km²) = 1,240,192
Mali is a West African country and runs by the Niger River. The country has diverse landscapes and the main economies are cotton production, fishing, and herding. The total area of Mali is 1.24 million square kilometers.
23. Angola
Total Area (Km²) = 1,246,700
Angola is a southwestern African country and has a diverse geography of rainforests, deserts, and highlands. The main industries in Angola are metals, petroleum, and precious gems. The total area of Angola is 1.2 million square kilometers.
22. Niger
Total Area (Km²) = 1,267,000
Ranking 22nd on our list of the biggest countries on Earth is Niger. Situated in West Africa, it runs along the Niger River. The total area of Niger is 1.2 million square kilometers.
21. Chad
Total Area (Km²) = 1,284,000
Chad is a landlocked region in Central Africa and home to the Sahara Desert. The country's economy is driven by its livestock farming, oil, and agricultural industries. The total area of Chad is 1.2 million square kilometers.
20. Peru
Total Area (Km²) = 1,285,216
Ranking 20th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area is Peru. The country is situated in South America near the Pacific coast. The total area of Peru is 1.2 million square kilometers.
19. Mongolia
Total Area (Km²) = 1,564,116
Mongolia is an East Asian country and ranks 19th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. The total area of Mongolia is 1.5 million square kilometers.
18. Iran
Total Area (Km²) = 1,648,195
Iran is a Western Asian country, sharing a border with nine countries and the Caspian Sea. The country has faced multitudes of political and human rights issues over the past several decades, and the country is heavily reliant on its oil and gas reserves to maintain its economy. The total area of Iran is 1.6 million square kilometers.
17. Libya
Total Area (Km²) = 1,759,540
Libya ranks 17th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. The capital of the country is Tripoli and the main industry in Libya is oil. The total area of Libya is 1.7 million square kilometers.
16. Sudan
Total Area (Km²) = 1,861,484
Sudan is situated in North Africa and is the third largest country in Africa. The country borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, and the Red Sea. The total area of Sudan is 1.8 million square kilometers.
15. Indonesia
Total Area (Km²) = 1,904,569
Indonesia ranks 15th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. It is situated in Southeast Asia and Oceania and comprises of nearly 17,000 islands. The country has the fourth-largest population in the world. The total area of Indonesia is 1.9 million square kilometers.
14. Mexico
Total Area (Km²) = 1,964,375
Mexico is situated in North America and is the third largest country in Latin America. The main industries in the country are manufacturing, agriculture, oil production, and tourism. The total area of Mexico is 1.96 million square kilometers.
13. Saudi Arabia
Total Area (Km²) = 2,149,690
Saudia Arabia is situated in the Middle East and West Asia and is the largest Middle Eastern country. It borders 8 countries and the Red Sea and holds great significance as the host of Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina. The total area of Saudi Arabia is 2.14 million square kilometers.
12. Greenland
Total Area (Km²) = 2,166,086
Greenland ranks 12th on our list of the biggest countries on Earth by area. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and is known for its glaciers, icebergs, and its natural beauty. The total area of Greenland is 2.1 million square kilometers.
11. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Total Area (Km²) = 2,344,858
The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 11th on our list of the 50 biggest countries on Earth by area. It is situated in Central Africa beside the Congo River. The economy of the country is dependent on oil production. The total area of Congo is 2.3 million square kilometers.
