Though Sweden is the country with the most islands in the world, less than 1,000 of them are inhabited,” World Atlas said. Norway is close behind in second place with 239,057 counted islands. Finland is third with 178,947, followed by Canada (52,455) and the United States (18,617).

Several countries significantly exceed the 1,000-island mark, but Sweden holds the world record with an incredible 267,570 islands. Close behind are its Nordic neighbors, Norway (with roughly 239,057) and Finland (with 178,947). In North America, Canada boasts over 52,000 islands, while the United States has approximately 18,617. In the tropical regions, Indonesia is the largest island country by land area and consists of roughly 17,504 islands, while the Philippines has 7,641. Other notable nations with over 1,000 islands include Japan (14,125), Australia, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Interestingly, despite these massive numbers, the vast majority of these islands are uninhabited; for example, only about 1,000 of Sweden’s quarter-million islands are permanently populated. For 2026 travelers, these archipelagos offer endless opportunities for remote exploration and "island-hopping" adventures across a vast range of climates.