Which Countries Have the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2026? Top 10 Ranked
Updated: 2026-08-27Italy
Italy has 62 properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the highest national total in the current 2026 UNESCO country data.
China
China has 60 UNESCO World Heritage properties and ranks second globally by the number of listed sites.
Germany
Germany has 55 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, placing it third.
France
France has 54 UNESCO World Heritage properties, placing it fourth in the global ranking.
Spain
Spain has 50 UNESCO World Heritage properties and ranks fifth.
India
India has 44 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath inscribed in 2026.
Mexico
Mexico has 36 UNESCO World Heritage properties and ranks seventh globally.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has 35 UNESCO World Heritage properties, placing it eighth in the ranking.
Russian Federation
The Russian Federation has 33 UNESCO World Heritage properties and ranks ninth.
Iran
Iran has 29 UNESCO World Heritage properties, placing it tenth among countries with the largest number of listed sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2026?▼
Italy leads with 62 properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List. China follows with 60, while Germany has 55.
Does the UNESCO ranking count cultural and natural sites?▼
Yes. UNESCO's World Heritage List includes cultural, natural and mixed properties, so the country totals are not limited to historical monuments. UNESCO's data platform currently contains 1,248 World Heritage records.
Why can UNESCO country rankings change?▼
The ranking changes when the World Heritage Committee inscribes new properties or modifies existing entries. India, for example, added the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in 2026.