In this article, we will discuss the top 20 largest countries in Asia by area in 2024. If you want to skip our analysis, you can proceed to the section highlighting the Top 5 Largest Countries In Asia By Area In 2024.
Economy of Asia
According to a report by the IMF, Asian economies contributed to two-thirds of global growth in 2023. It is projected to grow at 4.6% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024. Growth momentum is slowing in 2024 as the region’s potential is hindered by China’s structural slowdown and weaker-than-expected economic recovery. China’s economy bounced back in 2023 post-COVID, driven by domestic demand and supportive policies such as monetary relaxation, tax reliefs, and fiscal spending. However, growth is expected to slow to 4.6% in 2024 due to property sector weakness and falling external demand. Long-term growth is forecasted to decline to 3.5% by 2028 due to weak productivity and an aging population.
As interest rates remain higher, stress may lead to losses for smaller banks and an increasingly vulnerable real estate sector which is largely in debt. Hong Kong and Singapore have experienced substantial price declines in the real estate sector. On February 21, Forbes reported that Hong Kong’s real estate sector faced its steepest downturn in two decades in 2023, with residential property prices dropping by 7%. Amid waning demand and rising interest rates, property developers slashed their prices by up to 20% to stimulate demand. Analysts anticipate further price declines in 2024, projecting an “L-shaped” recovery.
Major Players in the Asian Market
Some of the major players, among the companies driving growth in Asia, are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) (NYSE:TSM), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (OTC:SSNHY), Tencent Holdings Limited (OTC:TCEHY) and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM). Let’s take a look at some latest updates from these companies.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (OTC:SSNHY) is one of the world’s leading technology companies in the world. On February 26, Samsung Electronics joined the AI-RAN Alliance, an organization aimed at revitalizing the convergence of AI and wireless communication for advanced 6G innovation by merging AI and wireless communication. Samsung aims to leverage the alliance to drive AI and wireless tech, leading 6G innovation. It seeks to pioneer AI-integrated solutions across semiconductors, hardware, software, and communication systems, solidifying its position in the 6G ecosystem. On March 12 Samsung hosted a panel discussion at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin on technology’s role in improving sleep quality. Experts discussed AI, wearables like the Galaxy Watch 6, Samsung’s health ecosystem, and how personalized insights and AI-driven data analysis can detect signs of obstructive sleep apnea.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) (NYSE:TSM) manufactures integrated circuits and provides silicon wafer fabrication processes for various semiconductor applications and high-performance electronics. On February 24, TSMC’s subsidiary Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM) opened in Kumamoto, Japan, with government support and partners including Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY), DENSO Corporation (TYO:6902), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM). TSMC aims to produce specialty semiconductor technology, with two fabrication facilities, the first facility is set to commence operations by the end of 2024, followed by a second facility in the end of 2027, according to a company filing published on February 6. The total investment exceeds $20 billion and is expected to create more than 3,400 high-tech professional jobs. Earlier in August 2023, TSMC partnered with Robert Bosch GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG (OTC:IFNNY), and NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) to invest in European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) in Germany.
On March 5, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM), one of the largest automotive companies in the world, announced that Panasonic Holdings Corporation (OTC:PCRFY) has agreed to sell its stake in battery manufacturer Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) to the company. The acquisition is expected to occur in late March 2024. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) expects the acquisition to strengthen its capabilities in mass-producing enhanced automotive batteries for HEVs, BEVs, and PHEVs.
Tencent Holdings Limited (OTC:TCEHY) is one of the world’s leading internet and technology company. On March 3, Tencent Holdings introduced the ‘Go Saudi’ program at the LEAP 2024 tech event, which offers an enterprise cloud platform, powered by Tencent Cloud Enterprise (TCE). Mobily, which is one of the largest telecom companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is 28% owned by Etihad Etisalat Company (SR:7020) will leverage this platform to innovate next-gen media and AI services, prioritizing user privacy and data security. The collaboration aims to boost Mobily’s enterprise business and its position in Saudi Arabia. On March 6, Tencent Holdings Limited (OTC:TCEHY) announced it will be participating in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024 in San Francisco from March 18 to March 22. The company will showcase its latest innovations, and discuss machine learning, character animation, rendering, and cross-platform development. Sessions will feature titles like Naruto Mobile and Arena Breakout, alongside tools and research models for free-to-play games. The booth will highlight AI’s role in game development including GiiNEX AI, Decision AI, and Generative Game AI.
Asia is home to some of the world’s most economically developed countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore, as well as the least developed countries such as Afghanistan, Laos, and Cambodia. Asia is diverse and dynamic and is the largest continent in the world both in terms of population and land area. With that said, here is the list of the top 20 largest countries in Asia by area in 2024.
A broadcasting tower broadcasting radio waves across the lands.
Our Methodology
To make our list of the top 20 largest countries in Asia by area in 2024, we utilized the latest data from The World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). We then compiled a list of the countries that are the largest in Asia by area. Here are the top 20 largest countries in Asia by area in 2024 ranked in ascending order.
Note: We added Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to our rankings because they have a majority portion of their areas in Asia.
Top 20 Largest Countries In Asia By Area In 2024
20. Malaysia
Total Area (sq. km): 329,847
Malaysia, comprising Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, covers 329,847 square kilometers. It includes a water area of 1,190 square kilometers. Malaysia’s strategic location along the Strait of Malacca has contributed to its economic prosperity through trade and shipping.
19. Vietnam
Total Area (sq. km): 331,210
Vietnam, bordering the South China Sea, spans 331,210 square kilometers. It includes a water area of 21,140 square kilometers.
18. Japan
Total Area (sq. km): 377,915
Japan is an island country in East Asia made up of 14,125 islands, including four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan covers an area of 377,915 square kilometers. It includes a significant water area of 13,430 square kilometers. Japan has one of the highest population densities in the world.
17. Iraq
Total Area (sq. km): 438,317
Located in Western Asia, Iraq spans 438,317 square kilometers, with a water area of 950 square kilometers. The oil industry plays a crucial role in Iraq’s economy as it holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves in the world.
16. Uzbekistan
Total Area (sq. km): 447,400
Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that covers an area of 447,400 square kilometers and has a water area of 22,000 square kilometers.
15. Turkmenistan
Total Area (sq. km): 488,100
Turkmenistan, bordered by the Caspian Sea, spans 488,100 square kilometers. It includes a water area of 18,170 square kilometers.
14. Thailand
Total Area (sq. km): 513,120
Thailand, located in Southeast Asia, covers 513,120 square kilometers. It includes a water area of 2,230 square kilometers.
13. Yemen
Total Area (sq. km): 527,968
Yemen’s area spans 527,968 square kilometers, including islands such as Perim and Socotra. It doesn’t have any significant water bodies within its territory.
12. Afghanistan
Total Area (sq. km): 652,230
Afghanistan, a landlocked country in South Asia, it covers an area of 652,230 square kilometers. It does not have significant inland water bodies. Afghanistan possesses significant reserves of minerals, including lithium, copper, iron ore, gold, and gemstones.
11. Myanmar
Total Area (sq. km): 676,578
Myanmar, also known as Burma, encompasses 676,578 square kilometers. It includes a water area of 23,070 square kilometers.
10. Turkey (Turkiye)
Total Area (sq. km): 783,562
Turkey spans an area of 783,562 square kilometers. Turkey is a transcontinental country, with 97% of its landmass in Asia, while the remaining 3% lies in Europe. It has an inland water area of 13,930 square kilometers. Turkey controls the Bosphorus Strait, a pivotal maritime passage linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
9. Pakistan
Total Area (sq. km): 796,095
Pakistan, located in South Asia, covers an area of 796,095 square kilometers, with a water area of 25,220 square kilometers. Pakistan ranks among the nations with one of the largest populations in the world.
8. Mongolia
Total Area (sq. km): 1,564,116
Mongolia, a landlocked country in East Asia, covers 1.56 million square kilometers, with a water area of 10,560 square kilometers. Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
7. Iran
Total Area (sq. km): 1,648,195
Iran, located in Western Asia, spans an area of 1.64 million square kilometers, with a water area of 116,600 square kilometers.
6. Indonesia
Total Area (sq. km): 1,904,569
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising over 17,000 islands. Indonesia spans over 1.90 million square kilometers and has a vast water area of 93,000 square kilometers. Indonesia also ranks among the nations with one of the largest populations in the world.
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