United Nations Member Countries – World UN Members: Complete Country List

List of 193 Member Countries Of United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization established in 1945 to promote international peace, security, cooperation, human rights and sustainable development. It currently has 193 member countries, representing nearly every internationally recognized sovereign state.

The United Nations began with 51 founding members on 24 October 1945. Its membership expanded significantly during the decolonization period, the emergence of newly independent states and the political changes that followed the Cold War. South Sudan became the 193rd and most recent member on 14 July 2011. (United Nations)

United Nations membership gives countries a place in the General Assembly, where each member state has one vote. Membership also provides participation in the UN’s international framework, including discussions on peacekeeping, international law, humanitarian assistance, climate change, development and global security.

The organization is headquartered in New York City, United States, and operates through six principal organs, specialized agencies, funds, programmes and other bodies.

This guide covers the complete list of 193 United Nations member countries, their admission dates, founding members, regional distribution, membership history, observer states, major institutions and frequently asked questions.

United Nations Member Countries at a Glance

The United Nations confirms that its membership grew from 51 founding states to 193 members. (United Nations)

How Many Countries Are Members of the United Nations?

There are 193 United Nations member states.

All 193 members participate in the UN General Assembly. Each member state has one vote in the Assembly, although voting procedures differ for certain important questions and decisions.

The UN’s membership count is separate from the total number of countries and territories used in other geographical datasets. For example, dependent territories, overseas territories and non-member observer states are not included in the 193-member total. (United Nations)

United Nations Founding Members

The United Nations was founded in 1945 after the Second World War. Its original membership consisted of 51 states.

The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco and entered into force on 24 October 1945. This date is now observed annually as United Nations Day.

The original 51 founding members were:

The historical list uses the names of the states as they existed in 1945. The Byelorussian SSR and Ukrainian SSR later became Belarus and Ukraine, while the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia no longer exist as the same states.

United Nations Membership by Admission Period

The growth of UN membership reflects major changes in international politics, decolonization and state formation.

The largest single-day admission occurred on 14 December 1955, when 16 countries were admitted to the United Nations. (United Nations)

United Nations Member Countries by Region

For statistical purposes, the UN uses geographical regional classifications, including the M49 standard. These are not the same as the UN’s five regional groups used for political coordination.

The following are broad geographical groupings of UN members.

African UN Member Countries

Africa has 54 UN member states.

Asian UN Member Countries

Asia has 47 UN member states under a common geographical grouping that places Türkiye and Cyprus in Western Asia and the Russian Federation in Europe.

European UN Member Countries

Europe has 43 UN member states under a common geographical grouping that places the Russian Federation in Europe and Cyprus in Western Asia.

North American UN Member Countries

North America, including Central America and the Caribbean, has 23 UN member states.

South American UN Member Countries

South America has 12 UN member states.

Oceania UN Member Countries

Oceania has 14 UN member states.

Regional classification note: These totals use a broad geographical approach and can differ according to the exact UN M49 subregion boundaries. The UN’s official country and area classification should be used when preparing a statistical dataset. (UN Statistics Division)

United Nations Regional Groups

The United Nations has five regional groups that help organize elections to UN bodies and coordinate certain diplomatic activities.

These groups are political and institutional arrangements, not exact geographical definitions.

For example, the Asia-Pacific Group includes countries from Asia and the Pacific, while the Latin American and Caribbean Group includes states from both mainland Latin America and the Caribbean.

Countries That Are Not UN Members

The UN has two non-member observer states:

The Holy See and the State of Palestine have standing invitations to participate as observers in the work of the General Assembly. Palestine was accorded non-member observer State status through General Assembly resolution 67/19 in 2012. (United Nations)

Observer status is different from full membership. Observer states do not hold the same membership rights as the 193 member states.

Why Are Some Countries Not UN Members?

UN membership is governed by Article 4 of the UN Charter.

To become a member, an applicant must be a state that is peace-loving, accepts the obligations of the Charter and is able and willing to carry out those obligations.

Admission requires:

• A recommendation from the Security Council
• A decision by the General Assembly

A Security Council recommendation requires the necessary vote threshold and no veto by a permanent member. The General Assembly then considers admission.

Political recognition, sovereignty disputes and international disagreements can affect membership applications.

Six Official Languages of the United Nations

The United Nations has six official languages:

These languages are used in official UN documentation and proceedings according to the organization’s language rules.

Six Principal Organs of the United Nations

The UN Charter establishes six principal organs.

The General Assembly includes all 193 member states. The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent members and ten elected members.

Permanent Members of the UN Security Council

The five permanent members are:

• China
• France
• Russian Federation
• United Kingdom
• United States

These countries have permanent seats and veto power over substantive Security Council resolutions.

The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

Main Objectives of the United Nations

The UN Charter identifies several central purposes.

International Peace and Security

The organization works to prevent conflicts, support peaceful settlements and authorize collective security measures through the Security Council.

International Cooperation

The UN provides a platform for countries to address global problems through diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

Human Rights

The organization supports international human rights standards, monitoring and institutional mechanisms.

Humanitarian Assistance

UN agencies and partner organizations assist people affected by conflict, disasters, displacement, hunger and other emergencies.

Sustainable Development

The UN coordinates international development initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

International Law

The UN supports the development and observance of international law through treaties, institutions and judicial mechanisms.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives adopted by UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

They address:

• Poverty
• Hunger
• Health
• Education
• Gender equality
• Clean water
• Energy
• Employment
• Industry and infrastructure
• Inequality
• Sustainable cities
• Responsible consumption
• Climate action
• Marine ecosystems
• Terrestrial ecosystems
• Peace and justice
• Global partnerships

The SDGs apply to all countries, although national priorities, circumstances and implementation approaches differ.

United Nations and International Organizations

The United Nations system includes specialized agencies, funds, programmes and related organizations.

Examples include:

These bodies have different legal and institutional relationships with the United Nations.

Importance of United Nations Membership

UN membership provides countries with a framework for international participation.

Its significance includes:

• Representation in the General Assembly
• Participation in international diplomacy
• Cooperation on peace and security
• Engagement with international legal frameworks
• Access to UN development and technical cooperation
• Participation in global humanitarian coordination
• Involvement in international environmental agreements
• Cooperation on public health and education
• Participation in multilateral negotiations

Membership does not mean that all countries agree on every resolution or policy. The UN is a forum in which states negotiate, cooperate and disagree through established institutional procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions About United Nations Member Countries

How many countries are in the United Nations?

The United Nations has 193 member states.

Which country was the latest to join the United Nations?

South Sudan was admitted on 14 July 2011, becoming the 193rd member state.

How many countries founded the United Nations?

The UN began with 51 founding members in 1945.

Which countries are not UN members but have observer status?

The Holy See and the State of Palestine are the two non-member observer states.

Is Palestine a full member of the United Nations?

No. Palestine has non-member observer State status, which was granted by the General Assembly in 2012.

Is the Vatican a UN member?

The Holy See, which is distinct from Vatican City as a territorial state, is a non-member observer state at the United Nations.

Does every UN member have one vote?

Yes. Each member state has one vote in the General Assembly.

When was the United Nations established?

The UN Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945. This date is recognized as the organization’s founding day.

Where is the United Nations headquarters?

The main headquarters is in New York City, United States.

What are the six official UN languages?

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Which countries have permanent seats on the Security Council?

China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Can a country leave the United Nations?

The UN Charter does not contain an express general withdrawal procedure. Indonesia announced a withdrawal in 1965 and resumed participation in 1966, a historical episode often discussed in relation to membership.

How does a country become a UN member?

A state applies for membership, receives a Security Council recommendation and must then be admitted by a General Assembly decision.

Are all countries recognized by the United Nations members?

No. The UN has 193 members, while some entities have observer status or other international relationships. Membership should not be confused with a general count of all territories or disputed entities.

What is the difference between the United Nations and the Security Council?

The United Nations is the entire international organization. The Security Council is one of its six principal organs, responsible for international peace and security.

Key Takeaways

• The United Nations has 193 member countries.
• It was established in 1945 with 51 founding members.
• South Sudan is the latest member, admitted in 2011.
• All member states have one vote in the General Assembly.
• The Holy See and Palestine hold non-member observer State status.
• The UN has six official languages and six principal organs.
• The Security Council has five permanent members and ten elected members.
• UN membership is governed by Article 4 of the UN Charter.
• The organization works on peace, security, development, human rights, humanitarian assistance and international cooperation.
• Its member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.

Sources

• United Nations – Official Member States
• United Nations – About the Organization
• United Nations – Non-Member States
• United Nations Charter
• UN Statistics Division – Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (M49)
• United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations – Security Council