Administrative Divisions 2002
Explore administrative divisions across 266+ countries with interactive maps and rankings to understand regional governance and demographics.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Aruba - #2
North Macedonia - #3
Philippines - #4
Azerbaijan - #5
Russia - #6
Algeria - #7
Romania - #8
Morocco - #9
Nigeria - #10
Afghanistan
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #216
Eswatini - #215
Zimbabwe - #214
Zambia - #213
Samoa - #212
Wallis and Futuna Islands - #211
Holy See - #210
United States Virgin Islands - #209
British Virgin Islands - #208
United Kingdom - #207
Taiwan
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2002, Slovenia led the world in the number of Administrative Divisions with a total of 182. Across the globe, the number of administrative divisions ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 182. The global average was approximately 18.11 divisions per country, with a median of 12. These figures highlight the diversity in governance structures worldwide.
Understanding the Extremes: Slovenia and Saint Helena
The data reveals that Slovenia had the highest number of administrative divisions in 2002, totaling 182. This is a result of Slovenia's decentralized governance model, which emphasizes local self-government and administrative autonomy. Such a structure is designed to enhance regional representation and governance efficiency. On the other end of the spectrum, Saint Helena had only 1 administrative division, reflecting its small geographic size and population, which necessitates a more centralized governance approach. This stark contrast underscores how geographic and demographic factors influence the administrative division count.
Regional Governance Patterns and Influences
Countries like Turkey and Thailand, with 81 and 76 divisions respectively, demonstrate a middle-ground approach in administrative segmentation. These nations balance between local governance and national oversight, often due to their diverse ethnic landscapes and regional identities. In contrast, the United States has 50 states, a reflection of its federal system that grants significant autonomy to each state, fostering regional governance while maintaining national unity. Such systems often arise in geographically expansive countries to manage diverse local needs effectively.
Year-over-Year Changes in Administrative Structures
Analyzing the year-over-year changes, Slovenia saw the most significant increase, with its number of divisions growing by 46 (a 33.8% rise). This expansion can be attributed to reforms aimed at enhancing local governance and administrative efficiency. Similarly, Côte d'Ivoire increased its divisions by 8 (a 16.0% increase), likely driven by the need to address regional disparities and improve local governance in the wake of political changes.
Conversely, New Zealand experienced a dramatic decrease of 77 divisions, an 82.8% reduction. This reduction aligns with governmental efforts to streamline administrative functions and reduce bureaucratic overhead. Countries like Georgia and Lithuania, with decreases of 44 and 34 respectively, similarly reflect shifts towards centralization for improved governance efficiency.
Implications of Administrative Division Changes
The fluctuations in administrative divisions across countries highlight the dynamic nature of governance structures. Increases in divisions, as seen in Slovenia and Côte d'Ivoire, often reflect efforts to decentralize power and enhance local governance capabilities. These adjustments can lead to more responsive and representative governance, especially in regions with diverse populations and complex socio-political landscapes.
On the other hand, reductions in divisions, like in New Zealand and Georgia, typically aim to consolidate administrative functions, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Such changes are often part of broader governmental reforms to adapt to new economic realities or political strategies.
Overall, the data from 2002 illustrates how countries tailor their administrative divisions to address specific governance challenges, reflecting their unique historical, cultural, and political contexts. These decisions have lasting impacts on national and regional governance, affecting everything from policy implementation to public service delivery.
Insights by country
Solomon Islands
In 2002, the Solomon Islands ranked #120 globally with 9 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to larger Pacific nations, which often have more extensive administrative frameworks. The limited number of divisions reflects the country's geographic challenges, including its scattered islands and diverse cultural groups, which complicate governance and administrative efficiency.
Dominica
In 2002, Dominica ranked #109 globally with 10 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to other Caribbean nations, many of which have more extensive administrative structures. The island's small size and population of around 72,000 residents contribute to its limited number of divisions, as administrative efficiency is prioritized in managing local governance.
Albania
In 2002, Albania ranked #92 globally with 12 administrative divisions. This number is relatively low compared to larger European nations, which often have more complex administrative structures. The simplicity of Albania's divisions can be attributed to its smaller geographic size and the historical context of its governance, which has focused on centralization since the fall of communism in the early 1990s.
South Korea
In 2002, South Korea had 9 Administrative Divisions, ranking #127 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively low compared to its neighbor Japan, which has 47 divisions, reflecting South Korea's more centralized administrative structure. The concentration of power in the capital, Seoul, and the drive for efficient governance have influenced this configuration, allowing for streamlined decision-making and resource allocation across the nation.
Libya
In 2002, Libya ranked #34 globally with 25 administrative divisions. This number is notable when compared to regional neighbors, as many North African countries have fewer divisions, indicating Libya's relatively complex administrative structure. The country's division into 25 regions reflects its vast geography and diverse tribal affiliations, which play a significant role in local governance and resource distribution.
Mali
In 2002, Mali had 8 administrative divisions, ranking #138 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Burkina Faso, which has more subdivisions. The limited number of divisions in Mali reflects its vast geographic area and historical governance structures, which have focused on maintaining centralized authority in a diverse and challenging terrain.
Luxembourg
In 2002, Luxembourg ranked #177 globally with 3 Administrative Divisions. This number is notably low compared to its neighbors, Belgium and Germany, which have more complex administrative structures. The limited number of divisions reflects Luxembourg's small geographic size and population, allowing for a more centralized governance system that is efficient in managing its economic and social policies.
Malaysia
In 2002, Malaysia ranked #88 globally with 13 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Indonesia, which has 34 provinces. The country's administrative structure is influenced by its diverse population and the need for effective governance across various ethnic groups, particularly the Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities.
Belgium
In 2002, Belgium ranked #104 globally with 10 Administrative Divisions. This figure is relatively low compared to its neighbor France, which has 13 regions. The limited number of divisions reflects Belgium's complex federal structure, where the country is divided into three distinct regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region, each with its own government and legislative powers.
Qatar
In 2002, Qatar had 9 administrative divisions, ranking #132 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively low compared to many neighboring countries in the Gulf region, which typically have more subdivisions to manage their governance. The limited number of divisions can be attributed to Qatar's small geographic size and population, which allows for centralized governance and efficient administration of resources.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
Explore Administrative Divisions data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.
More Government Facts
Rule of Law Index by Country
Compare countries by Rule of Law percentile rank, reflecting confidence in laws, courts, police, property rights, and protection from crime and violence.
View dataBrowse All Government
Explore more facts and statistics in this category
All Categories
Discover more categories with comprehensive global data