How many countries are in South America?

Countries in South America

12 countries

There are 12 countries in South America. The list below gives the population, area, and capital of each one.

By Country Tally editors Updated Source: World Bank (population 2025)

All countries in South America

In alphabetical order, with capital, population, and area
Country Capital Population Area
Argentina Buenos Aires 45,851,378 2,780,400 km² (1,073,518 sq mi)
Bolivia La Paz 12,581,843 1,098,580 km² (424,164 sq mi)
Brazil Brasília 212,812,405 8,510,420 km² (3,285,892 sq mi)
Chile Santiago 19,859,921 756,556 km² (292,108 sq mi)
Colombia Bogotá 53,425,635 1,140,619 km² (440,395 sq mi)
Ecuador Quito 18,289,896 256,370 km² (98,985 sq mi)
Guyana Georgetown 835,986 214,970 km² (83,000 sq mi)
Paraguay Asunción 7,013,078 406,752 km² (157,048 sq mi)
Peru Lima 34,576,665 1,285,216 km² (496,225 sq mi)
Suriname Paramaribo 639,850 163,820 km² (63,251 sq mi)
Uruguay Montevideo 3,384,688 176,215 km² (68,037 sq mi)
Venezuela Caracas 28,516,896 912,050 km² (352,144 sq mi)

South America in numbers

12 Countries
437.8 million Total population
Brazil Largest country, 8,510,420 km² (3,285,892 sq mi)
Brazil Most people, 212.8 million
Suriname Smallest country, 163,820 km² (63,251 sq mi)
75.5 years Average life expectancy of its countries

Top 5 countries by population

  1. #1 Brazil 212.8 million
  2. #2 Colombia 53.4 million
  3. #3 Argentina 45.9 million
  4. #4 Peru 34.6 million
  5. #5 Venezuela 28.5 million

Countries by income group

  • High income 3 countries
  • Upper middle income 7 countries
  • Lower middle income 2 countries

Other continents