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Discover the top 10 largest countries ranked by land, population, and economy. These top 10 largest countries play a vital role in global affairs, trade, and cultural influence.
Madhavi Gaur
March 25, 2025
Top 10 Largest Countries in the world collectively account for nearly half of the Earth’s total land area. These nations, spanning multiple continents, encompass diverse landscapes, climates, and natural resources, playing a crucial role in global geopolitics, trade, and environmental sustainability.
The total land area of the largest countries in the world remains relatively stable; however, factors such as territorial disputes, land reclamation, and administrative changes can lead to minor adjustments over time. Despite these variations, the top 10 largest countries by area continue to dominate the global landscape, with Russia alone covering over 11% of the world’s landmass.
Read on to get a comprehensive overview of the Top 10 Largest Countries by Area, including their historical significance, land area, and geographical features. Additionally, examine their demographic and economic standing, highlighting the top 10 largest countries by population and the top 10 largest countries by GDP to understand their global impact.
The top largest countries by area dominate a vast portion of continents, which influences global politics, economy, and environment. The largest nations in terms of total land area include vast forests, deserts, and mountain ranges. Here is a breakdown of the top 10 largest countries by area:
| Top 10 Largest Countries by Area | ||||
| 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% |
Russia is the largest country in the world, covering 11% of the Earth’s landmass. Spanning across Europe and Asia, it has a rich history, abundant natural resources, and diverse landscapes. Despite its massive size, Russia has a relatively small population density.
Canada, the second-largest country, is known for its natural beauty, forests, and freshwater reserves. Though vast in area, much of it is uninhabited due to the harsh northern climate.
China is the third-largest country and the most populous, with over 1.4 billion people. It has a diverse landscape, including deserts, mountains, and coastal regions.
The United States is the fourth-largest country, featuring diverse geography from Alaska’s icy tundra to Florida’s tropical beaches. It also has the world’s largest economy.
Brazil is the largest country in South America, famous for the Amazon rainforest, which plays a vital role in global climate regulation.
Australia is both a continent and a country, known for deserts, beaches, and unique wildlife. It has a low population density, as most people live along the coast.
India is the seventh-largest country but the second most populous, with over 1.46 billion people. It has a rich cultural and historical heritage, along with a rapidly growing economy.
Image Credit: Maps of India
Argentina, the eighth-largest country, is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes Mountains, grasslands, and Patagonia.
Kazakhstan, the ninth-largest country, is the largest landlocked nation in the world, with vast steppes and deserts.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, with vast deserts making up much of its land. It is rich in natural resources such as oil and gas.
While the largest countries by area cover vast land masses, the most populous countries influence global economics and politics. Here is a list of the top 10 largest countries by population in 2025:
| 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 |
The economic strength of a country is measured by GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Economic strength is another way to rank countries. Here are the top 10 largest countries by GDP in 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 |
For UPSC aspirants, knowledge of the largest countries by area, population, and GDP is essential for the Geography, International Relations, and Economy sections. Questions related to territorial disputes, geopolitical influence, and economic comparisons frequently appear in UPSC Prelims and Mains. Understanding these nations’ strategic importance helps in writing well-informed answers in General Studies and Essay papers.
Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!
The Top 10 Largest Countries in the world dominate the Earth’s land area, population, and economy. While Russia leads in land area, India has the largest population, and the USA holds the strongest economy. Each of these nations has unique geographical and cultural features, making them significant players on the global stage.
Understanding the largest countries in the world helps us appreciate their influence on global politics, trade, and the environment. Whether measured by area, population, or GDP, these nations shape the future of the world.
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