Administrative Divisions 2018
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
Azerbaijan - #3
Algeria - #4
Afghanistan - #5
Colombia - #6
Bahamas - #7
Bulgaria - #8
Brazil - #9
Congo, Democratic Republic of the - #10
Cambodia
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #216
Wallis and Futuna Islands - #215
Holy See - #214
United States Virgin Islands - #213
British Virgin Islands - #212
United Kingdom - #211
Curaçao - #210
Taiwan - #209
Tokelau - #208
Turks and Caicos Islands - #207
Tajikistan
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2018, Slovenia led the world with the highest number of Administrative Divisions at 201, while the global range for administrative divisions spanned from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 201 across countries. The global average number of administrative divisions was 19.78, with a median of 13.
Understanding the Extremes: Slovenia and Tajikistan
The notable disparity in the number of administrative divisions, as exemplified by Slovenia with 201 divisions and Tajikistan with only 2, can be attributed to different governance and administrative strategies. Slovenia's high number of divisions reflects a decentralized governance model aimed at bringing government services closer to citizens. This is often seen in countries prioritizing local governance and citizen engagement.
In contrast, Tajikistan and other countries with minimal divisions, such as Montserrat and Kiribati with 3 divisions each, often operate under centralized systems. These countries may have smaller populations or geographic areas, reducing the need for extensive administrative segmentation.
Regional Patterns and Influences
Exploring regional patterns, countries like Uganda and Serbia, with 121 and 119 divisions respectively, reflect a trend in regions where historical, ethnic, and linguistic diversities necessitate more localized governance. Such divisions can facilitate tailored policy implementation and conflict resolution in diverse societies.
Meanwhile, countries like Turkey (81 divisions) and Philippines (80 divisions) illustrate how economic factors and population distribution drive the need for administrative divisions. These countries have large populations spread across vast areas, necessitating more divisions to effectively manage resources and services.
Year-over-Year Changes and Their Implications
Significant changes in administrative divisions from the previous year highlight strategic governance shifts. Iceland experienced the most substantial increase with +66 divisions, marking an 825.0% surge. This dramatic change reflects Iceland's shift towards more localized governance, possibly driven by demands for greater regional autonomy and efficient public service delivery.
Conversely, countries like Norway and Timor-Leste saw decreases of -1 division each, indicating possible administrative consolidation efforts to streamline governance. Such reductions can result from efforts to reduce bureaucratic overhead and improve governmental efficiency.
Economic and Policy Drivers
Economic development and policy decisions play crucial roles in shaping administrative divisions. For example, Mexico added 1 division, reflecting a 3.2% increase, potentially driven by economic growth and the need for more localized economic management. Similarly, Tanzania and Chile saw modest additions of 1 division each, linked to economic expansion and urbanization trends demanding more granular administrative oversight.
In contrast, countries maintaining a stable number of divisions, such as Slovenia, Uganda, and Serbia, indicate a strategic choice to maintain existing administrative structures, possibly due to political stability or effective governance models that do not necessitate change.
Overall, the analysis of Administrative Divisions in 2018 reveals a complex interplay of historical, economic, and policy factors influencing how countries structure their internal governance. Understanding these patterns provides valuable insights into the regional governance landscapes and the strategic decisions driving administrative changes worldwide.
Insights by country
Mongolia
Mongolia ranks #53 globally with 21 Administrative Divisions as of 2018. This number is relatively high compared to regional neighbors like Kazakhstan, which has 14 divisions, indicating a more complex administrative structure. The extensive land area and low population density of Mongolia necessitate multiple divisions to manage governance effectively across vast territories.
Eswatini
In 2018, Eswatini ranked #183 globally with 4 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to neighboring South Africa, which has 9 provinces, reflecting Eswatini's smaller geographic size and population. The country's administrative structure is influenced by its monarchical governance, where traditional authorities play a significant role in local administration, limiting the need for more divisions.
Cayman Islands
In 2018, the Cayman Islands had a global rank of #161 with a total of 6 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to other Caribbean nations, many of which have more complex administrative structures. The limited number of divisions reflects the Cayman Islands' small geographic size and population, which is around 65,000 residents, necessitating a simpler governance framework.
Liechtenstein
In 2018, Liechtenstein ranked #108 globally with 11 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to larger countries, reflecting its small size and population. The country’s administrative structure is influenced by its geographic compactness and the need for efficient governance in a principality that emphasizes direct democracy and local participation.
North Macedonia
In 2018, North Macedonia ranked #9 globally with 70 administrative divisions. This places it significantly above the global average, reflecting a high level of administrative granularity compared to many neighboring countries in the Balkans. The extensive number of divisions can be attributed to North Macedonia's diverse ethnic composition and historical governance structures, which necessitate localized administrative oversight to address regional needs effectively.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands ranked #208 in 2018 for Administrative Divisions, with a value of none. This ranking reflects the islands' status as a commonwealth in political union with the United States, distinguishing it from many other countries that have defined first-order administrative divisions. The territory is divided into four second-order municipalities: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, and Tinian, which are significant for local governance and economic activities.
Guam
In 2018, Guam ranked #201 globally for Administrative Divisions, with a value of none as it is a territory of the United States. This places Guam among the lowest in terms of administrative divisions, comparable to other non-sovereign territories. The lack of divisions is primarily due to its status as an unincorporated territory, which limits local governance structures compared to fully sovereign nations.
Timor-Leste
In 2018, Timor-Leste had 12 Administrative Divisions, ranking #105 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors, reflecting the country's unique geographical and historical context. The limited number of divisions is influenced by Timor-Leste's small land area and population, which necessitate a streamlined administrative structure to effectively manage resources and governance.
Bahrain
In 2018, Bahrain ranked #178 globally with 4 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which has 13 divisions, indicating a more centralized administrative structure. The limited number of divisions reflects Bahrain's small geographic size and population, which influences its governance and administrative efficiency.
Canada
In 2018, Canada ranked #114 globally with 10 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to its neighbor, the United States, which has 50 states. Canada's administrative structure is influenced by its vast geography and the need for effective governance across diverse regions, including provinces and territories that address local needs and cultural differences.
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.
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