10 Countries with the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025

Based on UNESCO data, as of July 22, 2025, at 8:00 PM WIB, there are 10 countries with the most World Heritage sites globally.

Italy maintains its first-place position with 61 sites. Year after year, Italy leads in the number of World Heritage sites.

The following two positions also show no significant change from previous years, although the numbers have increased.

China holds second place with 60 sites, and Germany is third with 55 sites.

France is in fourth place with 54 sites, surpassing Spain, which has 50 sites.

Following are India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Iran. The majority of the top 10 countries are from Europe.

UNESCO reveals that Europe and North America together possess the most sites, namely 580, or 46.47% of the total World Heritage sites.

Other regions include Asia and the Pacific with 306 sites (24.52%), Latin America and the Caribbean with 153 sites (12.26%), Africa with 112 sites (8.97%), and the Arab States with 97 sites (7.77%).

World Heritage sites are special places considered important and whose existence must be preserved. UNESCO divides World Heritage sites into two categories: cultural sites and natural sites. However, in practical terms, a mixed category, comprising both cultural and natural aspects, is also included.

Here are the 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world as of July 22, 2025:

1. Italy: 61 sites

2. China: 60 sites

3. Germany: 55 sites

4. France: 54 sites

5. Spain: 50 sites

6. India: 44 sites

7. Mexico: 36 sites

8. United Kingdom: 35 sites

9. Russia: 33 sites

10. Iran: 29 sites.

(Read: Indonesia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia)