The question of whether Palestine is recognized as a country has always sparked passionate debate. It is one of those topics where politics, history, and human identity collide. Hmm… indeed the world we live in is really complicated. For decades, the answer to this question depended entirely on who you asked. Some countries have long stood firmly on the side of recognizing Palestinian statehood, while others have resisted, often pointing to the unresolved conflict with Israel.

As a traveler who is always curious about how nations define themselves and how borders shape people’s lives, I find this debate fascinating. For me, it goes beyond just lines on a map into the realm of a people’s right to be recognized. And today, within the United Nations framework, there is finally a clearer picture of where things stand, even if the issue remains far from settled.

UN Recognition of Palestine

As of the writing of this post (which is September 25th, 2025), the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by approximately 157 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. That’s over 80% of all UN members.

That being said, it should be noted that Palestine is not a full member of the UN. Instead, it holds the status or position of a non-member observer state. It has held this position since 2012 when the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade its status from “observer entity” to “observer state”.

This recognition carries weight, but it does not give Palestine voting rights in the General Assembly or automatic membership in UN bodies. Still, the designation of “state” by such a majority of countries has strengthened Palestine’s global diplomatic standing.

Why the Recognition Matters

Recognition by the UN and its member states is more than a symbolic gesture. This is extremely important since it allows Palestine to do the following:

  1. Join international treaties and organizations, including UNESCO and the International Criminal Court.
  2. Strengthen its diplomatic voice on the world stage.
  3. Push forward its case for statehood, especially in disputes over land, sovereignty, and borders with Israel.

Global Divide on the Issue

While 157 nations recognize Palestine, others do not. This includes some of the world’s most influential powers, such as the United States, Canada, and much of Western Europe. Their stance reflects both political alliances and concerns about the peace process in the Middle East.

This divide has real consequences. For example:

  • Palestine has limited access to certain UN agencies.
  • International negotiations on Israel-Palestine often stall due to disagreements over its statehood.
  • Travel, trade, and diplomatic representation can vary greatly depending on which country a Palestinian passport holder is dealing with.

Which UN Countries Recognize Palestine in 2025?

As I’ve learned while researching this topic, the recognition of Palestine isn’t just a Middle Eastern or regional issue. Apparently it’s a global one. Countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania have all taken a stand, with 157 UN member states officially recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state. Of course not every nation agrees, and that’s why the debate continues, but this list shows just how wide the support stretches across the world.

Countries that Recognize Palestine (Chronological Order)

1988

  • Iran – February 1988

  • Ethiopia – February 1989

  • Rwanda – January 1989

  • Bhutan – December 1988

  • Central African Republic – December 1988

  • Burundi – December 1988

  • Botswana – December 1988

  • Nepal – December 1988

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – December 1988

  • Poland – December 1988

  • Oman – December 1988

  • Gabon – December 1988

  • Sao Tome and Principe – December 1988

  • Mozambique – December 1988

  • Angola – December 1988

  • Republic of the Congo – December 1988

  • Sierra Leone – December 1988

  • Uganda – December 1988

  • Laos – December 1988

  • Chad – December 1988

  • Ghana – November 1988

  • Togo – November 1988

  • Zimbabwe – November 1988

  • Maldives – November 1988

  • Bulgaria – November 1988

  • Cape Verde – November 1988

  • North Korea – November 1988

  • Niger – November 1988

  • Romania – November 1988

  • Tanzania – November 1988

  • Hungary – November 1988

  • Mongolia – November 1988

  • Senegal – November 1988

  • Burkina Faso – November 1988

  • Cambodia – November 1988

  • Comoros – November 1988

  • Guinea – November 1988

  • Guinea-Bissau – November 1988

  • Mali – November 1988

  • China – November 1988

  • Belarus – November 1988

  • Namibia – November 1988

  • Russia – November 1988

  • Ukraine – November 1988

  • Vietnam – November 1988

  • Cyprus – November 1988

  • Czech Republic – November 1988

  • Egypt – November 1988

  • The Gambia – November 1988

  • India – November 1988

  • Nigeria – November 1988

  • Seychelles – November 1988

  • Slovakia – November 1988

  • Sri Lanka – November 1988

  • Albania – November 1988

  • Brunei Darussalam – November 1988

  • Djibouti – November 1988

  • Mauritius – November 1988

  • Sudan – November 1988

  • Afghanistan – November 1988

  • Bangladesh – November 1988

  • Cuba – November 1988

  • Jordan – November 1988

  • Madagascar – November 1988

  • Nicaragua – November 1988

  • Pakistan – November 1988

  • Qatar – November 1988

  • Saudi Arabia – November 1988

  • Serbia – November 1988

  • United Arab Emirates – November 1988

  • Zambia – November 1988

  • Algeria – November 1988

  • Bahrain – November 1988

  • Indonesia – November 1988

  • Iraq – November 1988

  • Kuwait – November 1988

  • Libya – November 1988

  • Malaysia – November 1988

  • Mauritania – November 1988

  • Morocco – November 1988

  • Somalia – November 1988

  • Tunisia – November 1988

  • Türkiye – November 1988

  • Yemen – November 1988

1989

  • Philippines – September 1989

  • Vanuatu – August 1989

  • Benin – May 1989

  • Equatorial Guinea – May 1989

  • Kenya – May 1989

  • Ethiopia – February 1989

  • Rwanda – January 1989

1991

  • Eswatini – July 1991

1992

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina – May 1992

  • Georgia – April 1992

  • Turkmenistan – April 1992

  • Azerbaijan – April 1992

  • Kazakhstan – April 1992

1994

  • Uzbekistan – September 1994

  • Tajikistan – April 1994

1995

  • Kyrgyzstan – November 1995

  • South Africa – February 1995

  • Papua New Guinea – January 1995

1998

  • Malawi – October 1998

2004

  • East Timor – March 2004

2006

  • Montenegro – July 2006

2008

  • Ivory Coast – December 2008

  • Lebanon – November 2008

  • Costa Rica – February 2008

2009

  • Dominican Republic – July 2009

  • Venezuela – April 2009

2010

  • Ecuador – December 2010

  • Bolivia – December 2010

  • Argentina – December 2010

2011

  • Iceland – December 2011

  • Brazil – December 2011

  • Grenada – September 2011

  • Antigua and Barbuda – September 2011

  • Dominica – September 2011

  • Belize – September 2011

  • St Vincent and the Grenadines – August 2011

  • Honduras – August 2011

  • El Salvador – August 2011

  • Syria – July 2011

  • South Sudan – July 2011

  • Liberia – July 2011

  • Lesotho – May 2011

  • Uruguay – March 2011

  • Paraguay – January 2011

  • Suriname – January 2011

  • Peru – January 2011

  • Guyana – January 2011

  • Chile – January 2011

2012

  • Thailand – January 2012

2013

  • Haiti – September 2013

  • Guatemala – April 2013

2014

  • Sweden – October 2014

2015

  • St Lucia – September 2015

  • Holy See – June 2015

2018

  • Colombia – August 2018

2019

  • St Kitts and Nevis – July 2019

2024

  • Armenia – June 2024

  • Slovenia – June 2024

  • Ireland – May 2024

  • Norway – May 2024

  • Spain – May 2024

  • Bahamas – May 2024

  • Trinidad and Tobago – May 2024

  • Jamaica – April 2024

  • Barbados – April 2024

2025

  • France – September 2025

  • Luxembourg – September 2025

  • Malta – September 2025

  • Monaco – September 2025

  • Belgium – September 2025

  • Andorra – September 2025

  • United Kingdom – September 2025

  • Australia – September 2025

  • Canada – September 2025

  • Portugal – September 2025

  • Mexico – March 2025

Why Recognition Affects Passports, Visas, and Your Journey

So, does the UN recognize Palestine? Yes. However, only as a non-member observer state. And with 157 UN countries officially recognizing it as of 2025, That makes Palestine one of the most widely acknowledged “non-members” in the world.

But what does this mean for you as a traveler? Quite a lot.

Recognition affects passports, visas, and mobility. For Palestinians, travel can be incredibly complicated, with restrictions depending on which country they’re visiting and whether their passport is accepted. For global travelers, recognition can also shape how easy it is to visit Palestinian territories like the West Bank or East Jerusalem and how those visits are treated by immigration authorities in other countries.
Kojo Enoch

Traveler. Storyteller. Curious about how people live around the world. I created Explore With Kojo to share real stories from the places I visit and to inspire smart, honest travel.

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