EMEA Countries | Europe, the Middle East, and Africa 2023

EMEA stands for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. It is a geographical region that includes countries from these three continents. The EMEA region is often used in business, marketing, and geopolitical contexts to refer to a group of countries with shared economic and cultural characteristics.

Businesses, governments, and marketers often refer to this collection of regions as EMEA to simplify their communication.

You’ll hear the acronym EMEA most commonly in international business and commerce contexts. The acronym EMEA is often used by North American businesses to refer to the whole region.

More than two thousand different native languages are spoken by the people of the more than 100 nations that make up the EMEA area. Anywhere between 2.1 and 2.2 billion people are living in the EMEA area.

Nigeria, with its over 206 million inhabitants, is by far the region’s most populated nation, while Vatican City, with its population of fewer than a thousand, has the lowest population of any EMEA country.

Updated and Complete List of EMEA Countries

The exact number of nations and territories that make up EMEA is uncertain, however, it is likely to be about 115 countries & 17 non-country territories.

Since EMEA is an umbrella word that is not constrained by any particular legal or political meaning, the exact list of which nations constitute EMEA might vary significantly depending on the source.

While some may include Russia (which is located in both Europe and Asia) and India (which is located in Asia), others may leave them out. Countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia, which are on both the European and Asian continents, are counted by some but not by others. 

Finally, some sources include European overseas territories like the British Indian Ocean Territory (which is a part of the United Kingdom) or French Guiana (which is a part of France), while others include only those territories geographically located in the EMEA region.

For example, the United Kingdom’s territory Isle of Man makes the list because it is located in Europe, while the British Virgin Islands, which are located in North America, do not, and still, others discard them altogether.

You may find a complete list of EMEA nations and territories, as compiled by WorldPopulace, in the table provided below.

Subgroupings and organisations included in the EMEA

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region is a diverse and expansive geographical area that encompasses a wide range of countries, cultures, and economies.

Within this region, there are various subgroupings and organizations that facilitate cooperation, trade, and other forms of collaboration.

European Union (EU)

The EU is a political and economic union of 27 European countries that have chosen to work closely together. While not all EU countries are located within the EMEA region, many are, and the EU plays a significant role in shaping policies and trade relations in the area.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

This is a regional organization of former Soviet Republics that facilitates cooperation in areas such as economic development, security, and cultural exchange. Some CIS member states are located in the EMEA region.

Arab League

A regional organization of Arab countries in and around the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to promote economic, cultural, and political cooperation among its member states.

African Union (AU)

An organization consisting of 55 African countries that work together to promote integration, development, and peace on the African continent.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

A political and economic union of six Arab states in the Arabian Peninsula, aimed at enhancing cooperation and integration among member countries.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

A collective body of 57 member states with significant representation from the EMEA region, aimed at promoting solidarity among Islamic countries.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

A regional economic union of West African countries that seeks to promote economic integration and cooperation.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

A free-trade area in Africa with member states from the eastern and southern parts of the continent.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Although primarily a military alliance, NATO includes member countries from the EMEA region and plays a role in maintaining security and stability.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

A security-focused organization that spans the EMEA region, aiming to address security challenges and promote cooperation.

These are just a few examples of subgroupings and organizations within the EMEA region. Each organization serves various purposes, including economic cooperation, cultural exchange, security collaboration, and more.

It’s important to note that the geopolitical landscape can change, and new organizations or groupings may emerge over time.

Numerous minor nation groupings and/or organisations fall under the EMEA’s umbrella and/or overlap with it. While none of these regions is the full EMEA, they are all considered to be EMEA. There are, without any particular sequence, the following:

Also See: Developing Countries 2022