List of Island Countries in the World (2025 Update)

The world is home to several island countries, each surrounded entirely by water and not sharing land borders with any other nation. These countries are known for their natural beauty, diverse cultures, and rich marine ecosystems. From the tropical beaches of the Maldives to the volcanic landscapes of Japan, island nations occupy a special place in global geography and tourism.

Most island countries are located in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. While some are large and economically developed, like Japan and the United Kingdom, others are smaller yet culturally vibrant, such as Fiji, Barbados, and Seychelles.

What Is an Island Country?

An island country (or island nation) is a sovereign state that consists entirely of one or more islands or parts of islands. Unlike continental countries, these nations do not share land borders with others — they are completely surrounded by water.

Island countries are often characterized by:

• Tourism-based economies due to their scenic beauty
• Limited land and natural resources
• High vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels
• Strong maritime cultures and trade-based economies

Despite their size and challenges, island nations are known for their resilience, innovation, and global influence in areas like marine conservation, sports, and culture.

Importance of Island Nations

Island countries contribute significantly to the global community in several ways:

1. Tourism: Many of the world’s most popular travel destinations, like Maldives, Bali (Indonesia), and Hawaii (U.S.), are islands attracting millions of tourists annually.
2. Biodiversity: Islands host unique species of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the world.
3. Trade & Maritime Routes: Strategic island locations like Singapore and Sri Lanka play vital roles in global shipping and trade.
4. Cultural Diversity: Island countries have distinct traditions, languages, and art forms that enrich global culture.

List of Island Countries in the World

Below is a comprehensive list of recognized island nations across various oceans and regions of the world:

Sr. No.	Country Name	Region / Ocean
1	Japan	Pacific Ocean (East Asia)
2	Sri Lanka	Indian Ocean (South Asia)
3	Maldives	Indian Ocean
4	Indonesia	Indian & Pacific Oceans (Southeast Asia)
5	Philippines	Pacific Ocean (Southeast Asia)
6	Taiwan	Pacific Ocean (East Asia)
7	Timor-Leste	Southeast Asia
8	Singapore	Southeast Asia
9	United Kingdom	Atlantic Ocean (Europe)
10	Ireland	Atlantic Ocean (Europe)
11	Iceland	North Atlantic Ocean
12	Malta	Mediterranean Sea (Europe)
13	Cyprus	Eastern Mediterranean
14	Madagascar	Indian Ocean (Africa)
15	Seychelles	Indian Ocean (Africa)
16	Mauritius	Indian Ocean (Africa)
17	Comoros	Indian Ocean (Africa)
18	São Tomé and Príncipe	Atlantic Ocean (Africa)
19	Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)	Atlantic Ocean (Africa)
20	Bahamas	Caribbean Sea (North America)
21	Barbados	Caribbean Sea
22	Cuba	Caribbean Sea
23	Jamaica	Caribbean Sea
24	Trinidad and Tobago	Caribbean Sea
25	Saint Lucia	Caribbean Sea
26	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Caribbean Sea
27	Antigua and Barbuda	Caribbean Sea
28	Dominica	Caribbean Sea
29	Grenada	Caribbean Sea
30	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Caribbean Sea
31	Haiti	Caribbean Sea
32	Dominican Republic	Caribbean Sea
33	Australia	Pacific & Indian Oceans
34	New Zealand	Pacific Ocean
35	Fiji	Pacific Ocean
36	Papua New Guinea	Pacific Ocean
37	Samoa	Pacific Ocean
38	Tonga	Pacific Ocean
39	Vanuatu	Pacific Ocean
40	Solomon Islands	Pacific Ocean
41	Kiribati	Pacific Ocean
42	Tuvalu	Pacific Ocean
43	Nauru	Pacific Ocean
44	Palau	Pacific Ocean
45	Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia)	Pacific Ocean
46	Marshall Islands	Pacific Ocean

Challenges Faced by Island Countries

While island nations are among the most picturesque places on Earth, they also face serious challenges:

• Rising Sea Levels: Caused by climate change, threatening low-lying nations like Maldives and Tuvalu.
• Limited Resources: Dependence on imports for food, fuel, and goods.
• Natural Disasters: Vulnerability to tsunamis, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions.
• Economic Dependence: Reliance on tourism and fishing industries makes economies unstable during global crises.