Which Country Has the Most Islands? Sweden Tops the World with Over 2.6 Lakh Islands

When people think of countries with thousands of islands, tropical destinations often come to mind. However, the country with the largest number of islands in the world is actually located in Northern Europe. According to geographic data, Sweden holds the global record with approximately 267,570 islands within its territory.

These islands are spread across Sweden’s long coastline along the Baltic Sea as well as throughout numerous inland lakes across the country. Despite the huge number, only a small portion of these islands are inhabited. Fewer than 1,000 islands have permanent residents, while the vast majority remain untouched natural landscapes.

Why Sweden Has So Many Islands

Sweden’s remarkable island count is closely linked to its geological history. During the Ice Age, large glaciers covered much of Northern Europe, including Sweden. As these glaciers gradually melted and retreated thousands of years ago, they carved deep valleys and reshaped the coastline.

This glacial movement left behind thousands of rocky formations and fragmented land masses. Over time, rising sea levels and geological processes transformed many of these formations into islands scattered along Sweden’s coastline and lakes.

Because of this unique geological past, Sweden’s landscape today features an enormous network of islands ranging from tiny rocky outcrops to larger inhabited landmasses.

Most Islands Are Small and Uninhabited

While Sweden has more than 267,000 islands, most of them are very small. Many are simply rocky islets or skerries that barely rise above the water’s surface. Others are covered with forests and surrounded by freshwater lakes or coastal waters.

One of the most famous island regions is the Stockholm Archipelago, located near the capital Stockholm. This archipelago alone contains more than 24,000 islands, islets and skerries, making it one of the largest island groups in the Baltic region.

Largest Islands in Sweden

Although most islands are small, several larger islands support communities and infrastructure. Some of the biggest islands in Sweden include:

• Gotland – the largest island in Sweden located in the Baltic Sea

• Öland – the second-largest island, connected to the mainland by a bridge

• Södertörn – a large island south of Stockholm

• Orust – one of the largest islands on Sweden’s west coast

• Hisingen – the largest island on Sweden’s west coast and part of Gothenburg

These islands contain towns, infrastructure and economic activity, unlike the thousands of smaller islands that remain mostly uninhabited.

Other Countries with Many Islands

While Sweden ranks first globally, several other countries also have a large number of islands. These include Norway, Finland, Japan, and Canada.

Many of these nations are also located in regions shaped by glacial activity, which created complex coastlines and numerous islands.

Why Island Counts Can Vary

Counting islands may sound simple, but it can actually be complicated. Different countries use different definitions of what qualifies as an island. Some counts include very small rocky formations, while others only include larger land masses.

Advances in satellite mapping and geographic surveys also continue to refine island counts, meaning the numbers can sometimes change over time.

A Surprising Geographic Fact

Sweden’s enormous number of islands highlights how natural forces such as glaciers and shifting sea levels have shaped Earth’s landscapes over thousands of years.

Although tropical archipelagos often dominate travel imagery, the country with the most islands in the world lies in Northern Europe. With more than 267,000 islands, Sweden remains the global leader in island count.