Top 10 Largest Countries in the World
Have you ever wondered which countries dominate our planet’s surface? The top 10 largest countries in the world cover nearly half of the Earth’s land, featuring diverse landscapes and climates. From Russia’s icy tundras to Kazakhstan’s vast deserts, these nations play essential roles in global geopolitics, trade, and environmental issues. While their land areas are generally stable, factors like boundary disputes can lead to minor changes. Did you know that Russia alone occupies over 11% of the Earth’s land?
In this article, we will explore the histories, physical features, and resources of the largest countries in the world. The article will also examine their demographic and economic standing through the lens of population and GDP to understand their global impact.
A Look at the Largest Countries in the World
The size of the largest countries in the world has an important effect. Large countries often have a lot of biodiversity, natural resources, and different climates and geography. This information is important for anyone preparing for the UPSC geography GK and APSC static GK. Knowing the list of the world’s largest countries helps understand global patterns, trade routes, alliances, and environmental issues.
Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area
The largest countries by land area cover enormous parts of the world, which shape international politics, economy, and environment. The largest countries in the world by total land area contain extensive forests, deserts, and mountains. Below is the list of the world’s largest countries by area:
| Top 10 Largest Countries by Area 2025 | ||||
| Rank | Country | Total Area (km²) | Land Area (km²) | World Share (%) |
| 1 | Russia | 17,098,242 | 16,376,870 | 11.00% |
| 2 | Canada | 9,984,670 | 9,093,510 | 6.11% |
| 3 | China | 9,706,961 | 9,388,211 | 6.30% |
| 4 | USA | 9,372,610 | 9,147,420 | 6.14% |
| 5 | Brazil | 8,515,767 | 8,358,140 | 5.61% |
| 6 | Australia | 7,692,024 | 7,682,300 | 5.16% |
| 7 | India | 3,287,590 | 2,973,190 | 2.00% |
| 8 | Argentina | 2,780,400 | 2,736,690 | 1.84% |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 2,724,900 | 2,699,700 | 1.81% |
| 10 | Algeria | 2,381,741 | 2,381,740 | 1.60% |
1. Russia: 17,098,242 km²
The Country takes the top spot among the largest countries in the world.
- Population (2025): 144 million
- GDP (2025): $2.1 trillion
- World Land Share: 11.00%
Russia, spanning 11 time zones, has many different landscapes, from the cold tundras of Siberia to the warm Black Sea coast. Its size gives it rich natural resources, including large amounts of oil, gas, and timber. This makes it an important player in the global energy market.
For UPSC geography GK, Russia’s physical geography, its transcontinental nature, and its strategic importance are recurring themes.
2. Canada: 9,984,670 km²
Coming in second on our list of the largest countries in the world is Canada.
- Population (2025): 39 million
- GDP (2025): $2.3 trillion
- World Land Share: 6.11%
Canada is known for its beautiful wilderness, large forests, and many lakes. It has the longest land border in the world with the United States. Although Canada is very big, much of the northern part is not heavily populated due to extreme Arctic conditions. Its vast size offers valuable natural resources, including wood, minerals, and freshwater. This makes Canada one of the top 10 biggest countries in the world that are ecologically important countries.
3. China: 9,706,961 km²
China, one of the most populous nations, is also among the largest countries in the world by land area.
- Population (2025): 1.41 billion
- GDP (2025): $19.53 trillion
- World Land Share: 6.30%
Its diverse topography ranges from the Gobi Desert in the north to the Himalayan mountain range in the southwest, and fertile plains along its major rivers. This immense geographical diversity has shaped China’s history, economy, and culture. As a major global power, understanding China’s geography is crucial for anyone studying world geography for UPSC.
4. United States of America: 9,372,610 km²
The United States of America ranks fourth in the list of the world’s largest countries.
- Population (2025): 347 million
- GDP (2025): $30.34 trillion
- World Land Share: 6.14%
The United States also has diverse landscapes, including deserts in the Southwest, forests in the Pacific Northwest, plains in the Midwest, and highly populated cities along the coast. These geographies facilitate their economic development and cultural growth. The US is also a vast country by land, which illustrates how a large landmass can contribute to economic power. Its diverse landscape is important for UPSC geography GK.
5. Brazil: 8,515,767 km²
The largest country of South America, Brazil, is in the fifth spot among the world’s largest nations.
- Population (2025): 213 million
- GDP (2025): $2.3 trillion
- World Land Share: 5.61%
This massive nation is full of natural resources and biodiversity, but equally burdened by massive environmental issues. Its tropical climate and vast river networks are key factors for APSC static GK for those looking to learn about it. Brazil’s size positions it among the world’s ten largest nations.
6. Australia: 7,692,024 km²
Australia, unique in being both a continent and a country, is the world’s sixth-largest country.
- Population (2025): 26 million
- GDP (2025): $1.9 trillion
- World Land Share: 5.16%
With its enormous arid centre, beautiful coastlines, and exceptional wildlife, Australian geography is unique. Despite its enormity, a high percentage of its population is concentrated around the coastal periphery. Its abundant mineral resources and varied biomes are significant features of world geography for UPSC. Its vast size makes Australia one of the world’s largest countries.
7. India: 3,287,590 km²
India, commonly called a subcontinent because of its size and diversity, is ranked seventh in the list of the world’s largest countries.
- Population (2025): 1.46 billion
- GDP (2025): $4.27 trillion
- World Land Share: 2.00%
Stretching from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical shores of the south, India’s physical landscape is remarkably diverse, with an astonishing variety of climates and environments. It is also the most densely populated country in the world, a compelling case study of the integration between population density and land size. Physical divisions, climate, and demographic trends of India are of utmost significance for UPSC geography GK. India’s development is always brought out when the largest countries by GDP 2025 are being spoken of.
8. Argentina: 2,780,400 km²
Argentina is the second-largest nation in South America and the eighth among the largest countries in the world.
- Population (2025): 46 million
- GDP (2025): $0.8 trillion
- World Land Share: 1.84%
Its length provides it with an impressive latitudinal range, from the lofty Andes mountains in the west to the sweeping Pampas grasslands and rocky Patagonian steppes in the south. The diversity of geology sustains a variety of agricultural pursuits and natural resources. Argentina’s size securely positions it among the top 10 biggest countries.
9. Kazakhstan: 2,724,900 km²
Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country in the world, ranks as the ninth among the top 10 biggest countries in the world.
- Population (2025): 19 million
- GDP (2025): $0.3 trillion
- World Land Share: 1.81%
The country holds important oil along with mineral reserves because it is dominated by enormous steppes, deserts, and semi-deserts. Its location is a key feature when one is discussing countries in terms of land area. Its wide-ranging, often severe terrain represents another trait. Regarding APSC static GK, understanding the geography of Central Asian nations is relevant, as is the case with Kazakhstan.
10. Algeria: 2,381,741 km²
Algeria ranks tenth in the list of the world’s largest countries.
- Population (2025): 46 million
- GDP (2025): $0.2 trillion
- World Land Share: 1.60%
The Sahara Desert covers a significant portion of Algeria, defining much of its geography and population distribution. It boasts mountainous regions along with a Mediterranean coastline, despite arid conditions.
Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Population
While the largest countries by land area cover such enormous land masses, the biggest countries by population influence the global economy and politics. Below is the list of the top 10 biggest countries in the world by population:
| Top 10 Largest Countries by Population | ||
| Rank | Country | Population (2025) |
| 1 | India | 1.46 billion |
| 2 | China | 1.41 billion |
| 3 | USA | 347 million |
| 4 | Indonesia | 286 million |
| 5 | Pakistan | 255 million |
| 6 | Nigeria | 238 million |
| 7 | Brazil | 213 million |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 176 million |
| 9 | Russia | 144 million |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 135 million |
1. India is the most populous country, with over 1.46 billion people, surpassing China.
2. China’s population remains massive. However, low birth rates do mean that it is now declining.
3. High birth rates in Ethiopia, along with Nigeria, make it one of the fastest-growing nations.
Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by GDP 2025
The economic health of a country is measured by GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Economic health is another way to rank countries. Here is a list of the top 10 largest countries by GDP 2025:
| Top 10 Largest Countries by GDP | ||
| Rank | Country | GDP (USD Trillions) |
| 1 | USA | $30.34 trillion |
| 2 | China | $19.53 trillion |
| 3 | Germany | $4.92 trillion |
| 4 | Japan | $4.39 trillion |
| 5 | India | $4.27 trillion |
| 6 | UK | $3.73 trillion |
| 7 | France | $3.28 trillion |
| 8 | Italy | $2.46 trillion |
| 9 | Canada | $2.33 trillion |
| 10 | Brazil | $2.31 trillion |
1. The USA is the world’s largest country and economy, accounting for over 26% of the world’s GDP.
2. China is exploding, and it is possible for them to surpass the USA in the next few decades.
3. India is one of the fastest-growing economies as a result of technology and services.
Top 10 Largest Countries in the World: Importance for UPSC and APSC
UPSC and APSC aspirants should have knowledge of the largest countries by area, population, and GDP for the Geography, International Relations, and Economy sections of the exam. World geography for UPSC often includes questions in the prelims and mains related to these countries on topics such as territorial disputes, geopolitical reach, economic comparisons, and strategic importance of the top 10 biggest countries in the world.
Conclusion
The largest countries in the world represent important geographical entities rather than mere dots on a map; they are vast landscapes that shape global dynamics and showcase incredible natural and cultural diversity. The icy tundras of Russia, the scorching deserts of Australia and Algeria, and the populated plains of China and India, each of these top 10 biggest countries in the world, highlight the remarkable scale and complexity of our planet. Their large land area is an important topic for anyone studying geography, especially for UPSC and APSC aspirants, revealing the rich tapestry of life our world has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Russia is the largest country in the world by area, covering 17,098,242 km², making up 11% of the world’s landmass.
A: The largest country in the world by population is India, with 1.46 billion in 2025.
A: The top 10 largest countries by area include Russia, Canada, China, the USA, Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Algeria.
A: Russia has the largest land-to-population ratio, with a vast area and a relatively low population density.
A: India occupies the 7th position among the top 10 largest countries of the world based on area. In terms of population, India is the largest country in the world.