Most UN member states now recognize Palestine as a state: around 155–160 of 193 countries as of late 2025, with a notable wave of new recognitions in 2023–2025.

Big picture

  • Roughly three-quarters of UN members recognize Palestine diplomatically.
  • Recent recognitions by European and G7 countries have made this a renewed global trending foreign‑policy issue.
  • A minority of mostly Western countries (including the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, among others) still do not grant full bilateral recognition, even if many support a “two‑state solution.”

Regions that mostly recognise Palestine

Arab and Muslim-majority world

Almost all Arab League and many broader Muslim‑majority states recognized Palestine soon after the 1988 declaration of statehood. Examples include:

  • Middle East / North Africa:
    • Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia.
  • Wider Muslim-majority states:
    • Türkiye, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.

These recognitions are typically tied to support for a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Africa, Asia, Latin America

After 1988, many countries in the Global South recognized Palestine, often in solidarity with anti‑colonial or non‑aligned movements.

Some illustrative examples (not exhaustive):

  • Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Angola, Mozambique, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Gambia, Seychelles, etc.
  • Asia: India, China, Vietnam, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, Bhutan, etc.
  • Latin America & Caribbean (early and mid‑wave): Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Suriname, Guyana, Belize, several small Caribbean states.

Recent wave: Europe, G7 and Caribbean

The most dramatic recent change has been among European states and some G7 and Caribbean countries.

2023–2024: new recognitions

  • Mexico (2023).
  • 2024 recognitions included:
    • Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Armenia.
* Caribbean states such as Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.

These moves signaled growing European and Global North frustration with the status quo and were widely discussed in forums and news as a break from earlier caution.

2025: G7 and “old” Western powers

By late 2025, several traditionally cautious Western states shifted:

  • The United Kingdom and Canada formally recognized Palestine, becoming the first G7 states to do so.
  • Shortly after, Australia and Portugal also announced recognition.
  • At a high‑level UN‑related summit, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino recognized Palestine (Belgium tying legal effect to conditions related to Hamas and hostages).

As a result, a large majority of EU states now recognize Palestine, even though a few (for example Germany and Italy) still withhold full recognition.

Who still does not recognise Palestine?

From current reporting and diplomatic overviews:

  • Key non‑recognizing countries typically include:
    • United States
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Some other Western and Pacific allies

Many of these governments officially support a future Palestinian state in principle but argue that formal recognition should follow negotiations or certain political/security conditions.

Quick reference overview (simplified)

[1] [1] [5][7][3][1] [9] [10][5][9]
Region / group General stance on recognising Palestine Examples
Arab League & most Muslim-majority states Broad recognition since late 1980s Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Qatar, UAE, Morocco, Algeria
Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America) Large majority recognise India, China, South Africa, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Angola, Mozambique, Senegal
Europe (EU + neighbours) Majority recognise, especially after 2024–2025 wave France, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Malta, Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino
G20 states Most recognise; a few major exceptions Recognising: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, UK, Spain; Non-recognising: US, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea
Key non-recognisers Do not grant full bilateral recognition US, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, some other Western/Pacific allies

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.