Records & extremes
58 records from the same sourced data as every duel: who stands tallest, lives longest, packs in tightest or gets the most rain. Each one is drawn against the other extreme or the world median. For rates and shares, places under 1 million people are left out, so a single town can't set a world record; ties are shown as ties.
5 records
Highest · Total area
17,125,200 km² in Russia.
Russia: 17,125,200 km² (2023), against a world median of 111,370 km².
Shown against the world median
Russia 17,125,200 km²
Canada 15,634,400 km²
United States 9,831,510 km²Lowest · Total area
10 km² in Gibraltar (United Kingdom).
Gibraltar: 10 km² (2023), against a world median of 111,370 km².
Shown against the world median
Gibraltar (United Kingdom) 10 km²
Nauru 20 km²
Tuvalu 30 km²Highest · Coastline
202,080 km in Canada.
Canada: 202,080 km (2026 edition), against a world median of 440 km.
Shown against the world median
Canada 202,080 km
Indonesia 54,716 km
Greenland (Denmark) 44,087 kmHighest · Highest point
8,849 m in China and Nepal, level with each other.
China: 8,849 m (2026 edition), against Tuvalu's 5 m at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Tuvalu
Lowest · Highest point
5 m in the Maldives and Tuvalu, level with each other.
Maldives: 5 m (2026 edition), against Nepal's 8,849 m at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Nepal
Maldives Tuvalu 5 m
Marshall Islands 14 m
New Zealand 30 m13 records
Highest · Population
1.46 billion in India.
India: 1.46 billion (2025), against a world median of 7.4 million.
Shown against the world median
India 1.46 billion
China 1.41 billion United States 342 millionHighest · Population density
8,511 per km² in Singapore.
Singapore: 8,511 per km² (2025), against Mongolia's 2 per km² at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Mongolia
Singapore 8,511 per km²
Hong Kong (China) 7,142 per km²
Bahrain 2,000 per km²Lowest · Population density
2 per km² in Mongolia.
Mongolia: 2 per km² (2025), against Singapore's 8,511 per km² at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Singapore
Highest · Height of men
183.8 cm in the Netherlands.
Netherlands: 183.8 cm (2019), against Timor-Leste's 160.1 cm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Timor-Leste
Netherlands 183.8 cm
Estonia 182.8 cm
Bosnia and Herzegovina 182.5 cmLowest · Height of men
160.1 cm in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste: 160.1 cm (2019), against Netherlands's 183.8 cm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Netherlands
Timor-Leste 160.1 cm
Laos 162.8 cm
Papua New Guinea 163.1 cmHighest · Height of women
170.4 cm in the Netherlands.
Netherlands: 170.4 cm (2019), against Guatemala's 150.9 cm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Guatemala
Netherlands 170.4 cm
Denmark 169.5 cm
Latvia 168.8 cmLowest · Height of women
150.9 cm in Guatemala.
Guatemala: 150.9 cm (2019), against Netherlands's 170.4 cm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Netherlands
Guatemala 150.9 cm
Bangladesh 152.4 cm
Nepal 152.4 cmHighest · Median age
49 years in Japan.
Japan: 49 years (2023), against Central African Republic's 14.3 years at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Central African Republic
Lowest · Median age
14.3 years in the Central African Republic.
Central African Republic: 14.3 years (2023), against Japan's 49 years at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Japan
Central African Republic 14.3 years
Niger 15.3 years
Chad 15.4 yearsHighest · Fertility rate
6.03 children per woman in Chad.
Chad: 6.03 children per woman (2024), against South Korea's 0.75 children per woman at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, South Korea
Lowest · Fertility rate
0.75 children per woman in South Korea.
South Korea: 0.75 children per woman (2024), against Chad's 6.03 children per woman at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Chad
South Korea 0.75 children per woman Hong Kong (China) 0.84 children per woman
Puerto Rico (United States) 0.92 children per womanHighest · Nobel laureates per 10 million people
28.3 in Sweden.
Sweden: 28.3 (2025), against Zambia's 0 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Zambia
Sweden 28.3
Norway 23.2
Switzerland 20.9Highest · Official languages
15 in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: 15 (2026), against a world median of 1.
Shown against the world median
Zimbabwe 15
South Africa 11
Namibia 97 records
Highest · Economy size (GDP)
$30.8 trillion in the United States.
United States: $30.8 trillion (2025), against a world median of $45.5 billion.
Shown against the world median
United States $30.8 trillion China $19.5 trillion
Germany $5.05 trillionHighest · GDP per person (PPP)
Int$163,354 in Singapore.
Singapore: Int$163,354 (2025), against South Sudan's Int$1,155 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, South Sudan
Lowest · GDP per person (PPP)
Int$1,155 in South Sudan.
South Sudan: Int$1,155 (2015), against Singapore's Int$163,354 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Singapore
South Sudan Int$1,155
Burundi Int$1,248 Central African Republic Int$1,314Highest · Income inequality (Gini)
59.1 in Namibia.
Namibia: 59.1 (2015), against Slovakia's 23.8 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Slovakia
Lowest · Income inequality (Gini)
23.8 in Slovakia.
Slovakia: 23.8 (2023), against Namibia's 59.1 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Namibia
Highest · Price level (US = 100)
112% in Switzerland.
Switzerland: 112% (2025), against Nigeria's 13% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Nigeria
Switzerland 112%
Israel 101% United States 100%Lowest · Price level (US = 100)
13% in Nigeria.
Nigeria: 13% (2025), against Switzerland's 112% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Switzerland
Nigeria 13%
Egypt 15%
Afghanistan 19%7 records
Highest · Life expectancy
85.4 years in Hong Kong (China).
Hong Kong: 85.4 years (2024), against Nigeria's 54.6 years at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Nigeria
Hong Kong (China) 85.4 years
Kuwait 84.6 years Switzerland 84.4 yearsLowest · Life expectancy
54.6 years in Nigeria.
Nigeria: 54.6 years (2024), against Hong Kong's 85.4 years at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Hong Kong
Nigeria 54.6 years Chad 55.2 years Central African Republic 57.7 yearsLowest · Infant mortality
1.5 per 1,000 in Estonia.
Estonia: 1.5 per 1,000 (2024), against South Sudan's 71.9 per 1,000 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, South Sudan
Highest · Doctors
9.5 per 1,000 in Cuba.
Cuba: 9.5 per 1,000 (2021), against Niger's 0.038 per 1,000 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Niger
Highest · Health spending per person
$13,473 in the United States.
United States: $13,473 (2023), against Madagascar's $17 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Madagascar
United States $13,473 Switzerland $11,784 Norway $8,296Highest · Adult obesity
42.8% in Egypt.
Egypt: 42.8% (2024), against Vietnam's 2.5% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Vietnam
Egypt 42.8%
Qatar 42.4% Puerto Rico (United States) 41.9%Highest · Smoking
48.8% in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste: 48.8% (2024), against Nigeria's 3.1% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Nigeria
Timor-Leste 48.8%
Lebanon 46.9%
Myanmar 43.4%9 records
Highest · Life satisfaction
7.76 in Finland.
Finland: 7.76 (2025), against Afghanistan's 1.45 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Afghanistan
Finland 7.76 Denmark 7.54
Costa Rica 7.44Lowest · Life satisfaction
1.45 in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: 1.45 (2025), against Finland's 7.76 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Finland
Afghanistan 1.45 South Sudan 2.82
Sierra Leone 3.25Highest · Alcohol consumption
17.1 litres in Romania.
Romania: 17.1 litres (2023), against Yemen's 0.0011 litres at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Yemen
Highest · Meat supply
136.1 kg in Mongolia.
Mongolia: 136.1 kg (2023), against DR Congo's 3.5 kg at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, DR Congo
Mongolia 136.1 kg United States 122.1 kg
Australia 116.8 kgHighest · Daily calories
3,947 kcal in the United States.
United States: 3,947 kcal (2023), against Burundi's 1,698 kcal at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Burundi
United States 3,947 kcal
Belgium 3,921 kcal
Ireland 3,921 kcalHighest · Working hours
2,658 hours in Sudan.
Sudan: 2,658 hours (2023), against Germany's 1,335 hours at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Germany
Sudan 2,658 hours
Congo 2,534 hours
United Arab Emirates 2,514 hoursLowest · Working hours
1,335 hours in Germany.
Germany: 1,335 hours (2023), against Sudan's 2,658 hours at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Sudan
Highest · Years of schooling
14.3 years in Germany.
Germany: 14.3 years (2023), against Niger's 1.4 years at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Niger
Germany 14.3 years Switzerland 13.9 years United States 13.9 yearsHighest · Tourists per resident
4.83 in Albania.
Albania: 4.83 (2024), against Bangladesh's 0 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Bangladesh
6 records
Highest · Internet users
100% in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, level with each other.
United Arab Emirates: 100% (2024), against South Sudan's 7% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, South Sudan
United Arab Emirates Bahrain Kuwait
Saudi Arabia 100% Denmark 100% Norway 99%Lowest · Internet users
7% in South Sudan.
South Sudan: 7% (2019), against Saudi Arabia's 100% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Saudi Arabia
South Sudan 7% Burundi 9%
Uganda 9%Highest · Mobile subscriptions
365 in Hong Kong (China).
Hong Kong: 365 (2024), against North Korea's 24 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, North Korea
Hong Kong (China) 365 United Arab Emirates 203
Libya 193Lowest · Urban population
16% in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea: 16% (2025), against Singapore's 100% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Singapore
Papua New Guinea 16%
Malawi 18% Niger 18%Highest · Railway network
148,553 km in the United States.
United States: 148,553 km (2021), against a world median of 2,141 km.
Shown against the world median
United States 148,553 km China 109,767 km Russia 85,544 kmHighest · Air passengers per resident
35.11 in Ireland.
Ireland: 35.11 (2023), against Benin's 0 at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Benin
Ireland 35.11 Qatar 12.69 United Arab Emirates 7.915 records
Highest · Forest cover
91.2% in Gabon.
Gabon: 91.2% (2023), against Qatar's 0% at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Qatar
Gabon 91.2%
Equatorial Guinea 86.4% Papua New Guinea 79%Highest · CO₂ per person
41.3 t in Qatar.
Qatar: 41.3 t (2024), against DR Congo's 0.1 t at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, DR Congo
Lowest · CO₂ per person
0.1 t in the DR Congo.
DR Congo: 0.1 t (2024), against Qatar's 41.3 t at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Qatar
Highest · Air pollution (PM2.5)
75.5 µg/m³ in Qatar.
Qatar: 75.5 µg/m³ (2024), against Finland's 5.4 µg/m³ at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Finland
Qatar 75.5 µg/m³ Bangladesh 65 µg/m³ Kuwait 57.3 µg/m³Lowest · Air pollution (PM2.5)
5.4 µg/m³ in Australia and Finland, level with each other.
Australia: 5.4 µg/m³ (2024), against Qatar's 75.5 µg/m³ at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Qatar
2 records
Highest · Homicide rate
49.4 per 100k in Jamaica.
Jamaica: 49.4 per 100k (2023), against Singapore's 0.1 per 100k at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Singapore
Jamaica 49.4 per 100k
Ecuador 45.7 per 100k South Africa 43.7 per 100kHighest · Road deaths
37.4 per 100k in Guinea.
Guinea: 37.4 per 100k (2021), against Norway's 1.5 per 100k at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Norway
4 records
Highest · Average temperature
29.3°C in Mali.
Mali: 29.3°C (2016–2025 avg), against Canada's -3°C at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Canada
Mali 29.3°C
Burkina Faso 29.1°C
Senegal 29.1°CLowest · Average temperature
-3°C in Canada.
Canada: -3°C (2016–2025 avg), against Mali's 29.3°C at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Mali
Canada -3°C Russia -2.6°C
Tajikistan 1°CHighest · Rainfall
4,281 mm in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea: 4,281 mm (2016–2025 avg), against Egypt's 12 mm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Egypt
Papua New Guinea 4,281 mm Indonesia 3,437 mm Costa Rica 3,367 mmLowest · Rainfall
12 mm in Egypt.
Egypt: 12 mm (2016–2025 avg), against Papua New Guinea's 4,281 mm at the other end.
Shown against the other extreme, Papua New Guinea
Egypt 12 mm Libya 19 mm United Arab Emirates 47 mm
Pakistan
Japan
Italy
Portugal
Somalia
DR Congo
Botswana
Eswatini
Slovakia
Belarus
Slovenia
Cuba
Greece
Romania
Georgia
Yemen
Albania
Croatia
Guinea
Haiti