The total number of countries in the world is a subject of debate and depends on various factors such as political recognition, sovereignty, and international relations. The United Nations, which is the largest intergovernmental organization in the world, currently recognizes 193 member states as of September 2021. However, there are also other territories, dependencies, and unrecognized states that may or may not be considered as independent countries.
In addition to the UN member states, there are also two observer states, the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine. Some other territories, such as Western Sahara, are recognized by some countries as independent states, but not by others.
It's worth noting that the number of countries in the world is not static and can change over time due to factors such as secession, annexation, or changes in political status.