Top 50 Coldest Countries In The World (2024)

With rising temperatures making the news in recent times, the coldest countries in the world are those that wonder what the rest of the world is complaining about.

This is not to take sides in the long running debate about climate change, or what exactly man’s role in the whole debacle is.

Rather than base this report on sensational news reports of abnormally cold winter days, the best way to observe the coldest places in the world is to look at the average yearly temperatures.

Top 50 Coldest Countries In The World

1. Russia

Average Yearly Temperature: −5.35

Every time you see pictures from Russia the people are always clad in big woolly coats. There is a reason for that; the average temperature in that country is −5.35 Celsius. Therefore, especially in the winter, it would be absolutely mad to wear anything less than such thick clothing.

While frostbite is quite common in the country; you will find that Russians have become quite proud of their cold country. They are used to it; and even though abnormally cold days still get a mention in the news, they don’t want to stop being the coldest country in the world.

2. Canada

Average Yearly Temperature: −5.10

Canada is a beautiful, and large country. Geographically, the country is quite diverse; there are flat planes, and there mountains. In truth, the temperatures you enjoy (or endure) can vary markedly depending on the particular place where you live.

Nevertheless, the average yearly temperature is -5.10 degrees Celsius; which means you are probably going to need some very warm clothes if you plan on moving there.

Your coffee can freeze over, and you would not dare take a cold shower on most days. But if you like Ice Hockey, you may not mind the cold too much.

3. Denmark

Average Yearly Temperature: −3.70

Denmark is a Nordic country; they are mostly located in northern Europe which is often expected to be cold. However, most people are surprised to discover that Denmark is not nearly as cold as Russia; in fact the country is a lot more friendly to people who are used to milder climate conditions.

People in Denmark still wear warm clothes, but not as big as those worn in Russia. They also do not wear them as frequently as they do in Russia- the Danes are more fashionable.

4. Iceland

Average Yearly Temperature: −0.70

People expect to see a big pack of ice when they see a picture of Iceland. They are disappointed to find that it is made up of land which is no different than what they are used to. In fact, Iceland has a much warmer climate than Russia and Denmark; the average yearly temperature is -0.70.

Iceland is also a beautiful country with friendly people. It is a great place to visit, and to have an adventure.

5. Norway

Average Yearly Temperature: 1.50

Norway is a country in northern Europe; it is still considered a very cold country by African or south American standards; the average yearly temperature is 1.50 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, as a very well organized, and very affluent country, Norway receives a lot of visitors every year, and many of them stay on for the long term.

Norway is a lot warmer than one would expect from a country so far north. However, the warmth comes from the currents blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean.

6. Finland

Average Yearly Temperature: 1.55

Finland is a country in northern Europe; some of its neighbors are Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Finland’s average yearly temperature is 1.55 degrees Celsius; which is the warmest among its neighbors.

Although it must be mentioned that there is quite a variance in the temperatures; the northern part of the country is usually colder, while the southern part is warmer. In the summer, temperatures can reach 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees F).

7. Mongolia

Average Yearly Temperature: 1.70

Mongolia is an usually cold place; unusually cold because it is located in Asia rather than northern Europe. However, one must note that the country has a border with Russia which is a very cold country.

Mongolia’s geography is varied; there are flat plains that are mostly grasslands, there is the Gobi Desert, and there are mountainous regions.

Mongolia’s cold weather is most attributed to its latitude; the northern part of the country is roughly on the same level with some parts of Canada.

8. Sweden

Average Yearly Temperature: 1.75

Sweden is a Nordic country in northern Europe; it is one of those places where you would naturally expect to see people freezing to death. Alas, the yearly average temperature is 1.75 degrees Celsius, and it can range between 19 °C (66 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) in July.

The mild climate is attributed to the warm air currents blowing in from the Gulf Stream.

9. Estonia

Average Yearly Temperature: 2.00

Estonia is a country in northern Europe; some of its neighbors include Finland, Sweden, and Russia. This is a beautiful country; there are more natural lakes than it seems normal for one country to have. The country is also home to an amazing level of biodiversity.

The average yearly temperature in Finland is 2 degrees Celsius; which is rather mild for a country in northern Europe. The weather is attributed to the warm currents blowing in from the Gulf of Finland.

10. Kyrgyzstan

Average Yearly Temperature: 2.10

Kyrgyzstan is a country in central Asia; some of its neighbors are China, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. Russia is also not very far off; in fact, Russian political and economic influence is quite evident in the country.

Kyrgyzstan has an average yearly temperature of 2.10 Celsius; and much of the country is mountainous- which makes it quite cold.

The following is a more extensive list of the 50 coldest countries in the world.

Position	Country	Location	Average temperature
1	Russia	Europe	−5.35
2	Canada	Asia	−5.10
3	Denmark	Europe	−3.70
4	Iceland	Europe	−0.70
5	Norway	Europe	1.50
6	Finland	Europe	1.55
7	Mongolia	Asia	1.70
8	Sweden	Europe	1.75
9	Estonia	Europe	2.00
10	Kyrgyzstan	Europe	2.10
11	Switzerland	Europe	5.10
12	Kazakhstan	Asia	5.50
13	Georgia	Europe	5.65
14	North Korea	Asia	5.70
15	Liechtenstein	Europe	5.80
16	Belarus	Europe	6.15
17	Lithuania	Europe	6.20
18	Austria	Europe	6.35
19	Tajikistan	Asia	6.40
20	Slovakia	Europe	6.80
21	Armenia	Europe	7.15
22	Bhutan	Asia	7.40
23	China	Asia	7.50
24	Czech Republic	Europe	7.55
25	Andorra	Europe	7.60
26	Poland	Europe	7.85
27	Nepal	Asia	8.10
28	Ukraine	Europe	8.30
29	Germany	Europe	8.40
30	Chile	Americas	8.45
31	United Kingdom	Europe	8.45
32	United States	Americas	8.55
33	Luxembourg	Europe	8.65
34	Romania	Europe	8.80
35	Slovenia	Europe	8.90
36	Netherlands	Europe	9.25
37	Ireland	Europe	9.30
38	Moldova	Europe	9.45
39	Belgium	Europe	9.55
40	Hungary	Europe	9.75
41	North Macedonia	Europe	9.80
42	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Europe	9.85
43	Turkey	Asia	9.90
44	Serbia	Europe	10.55
45	New Zealand	Oceania	10.55
46	Bulgaria	Europe	10.55
47	Montenegro	Europe	10.55
48	France	Europe	10.70
49	Croatia	Europe	10.90
50	Japan	Asia	11.15
51	Albania	Europe	11.40
52	South Korea	Asia	11.50
53	San Marino	Europe	11.85
54	Lesotho	Africa	11.85
55	Azerbaijan	Europe	11.95
56	Uzbekistan	Asia	12.05
57	Afghanistan	Asia	12.60

Closing

When looking at this list of the coldest countries in the world, it is important to note that the information provided is based on the average yearly temperatures. Temperatures on any particular day or week can vary markedly from the figures given here, and so it is important to get information about prevailing weather conditions before traveling.