Ranked: World's 7 coldest countries in 2026, where winters can reach -60°C

When most people think of the coldest places on Earth, Antarctica usually comes to mind. However, Antarctica is a continent rather than a country. Among sovereign nations, the title of the world's coldest country belongs to Russia, followed closely by Canada.

According to the latest World Population Review 2026 rankings, which use CMIP6 average annual temperature estimates, these are the seven coldest countries in the world.

While annual temperatures vary depending on the dataset and methodology used, the list is largely consistent with long-term climate patterns driven by latitude, altitude and geography.

1. Russia

Average annual temperature: -2.5°C

Stretching across northern Europe and Asia, Russia is officially the coldest country in the world by average annual temperature.

Much of Siberia experiences brutally cold winters, while the village of Oymyakon is widely regarded as one of the coldest permanently inhabited places on Earth, with winter temperatures regularly dropping below -50°C.

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Large parts of the country lie within or close to the Arctic Circle, resulting in prolonged winters, heavy snowfall and limited daylight during the coldest months.

2. Canada

Average annual temperature: -2.14°C

Canada ranks second despite being home to more than 40 million people. Its northern territories experience Arctic conditions for much of the year, with snow and ice dominating the landscape for months at a time.

Communities such as Alert in Nunavut sit at the very edge of the inhabited Arctic, while vast stretches of permafrost cover much of northern Canada.

Although cities such as Vancouver have relatively mild winters, the country's enormous size keeps its national average exceptionally low.

3. Tajikistan

Average annual temperature: 1.1°C

Tajikistan may surprise many people by ranking third. The reason lies in its geography rather than its latitude.

More than 90% of the country is mountainous, with the towering Pamir Mountains dominating the landscape. High elevations result in long, snowy winters and persistently low annual temperatures across much of the country.

4. Kyrgyzstan

Average annual temperature: 1.54°C

Like neighbouring Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan owes its chilly climate to altitude. The Tian Shan mountain range covers much of the country, producing harsh winters, glaciers and snow-covered valleys.

Its dramatic alpine scenery has made Kyrgyzstan increasingly popular with hikers and winter sports enthusiasts seeking an alternative to Europe's better-known mountain destinations.

5. Iceland

Average annual temperature: 1.98°C

Despite its name, Iceland is not permanently frozen. Thanks to the warming influence of the North Atlantic Current, many coastal areas are milder than people expect.

Nevertheless, Iceland still ranks among the world's coldest countries because of its northern location, glaciers, volcanic landscapes and long winters.

Snowfall is common, while much of the country's interior remains sparsely populated due to its harsh climate.

6. Mongolia

Average annual temperature: 2.36°C

Mongolia experiences one of the world's most extreme continental climates.

With no ocean nearby to moderate temperatures, winters are bitterly cold, particularly across the vast steppe. Temperatures regularly plunge below -30°C, while strong winds can make conditions feel even colder. Ulaanbaatar, the capital, is often described as the world's coldest national capital.

7. Norway

Average annual temperature: 3.0°C

Although the Gulf Stream helps moderate Norway's coastline, much of the country experiences long, snowy winters.

Northern Norway lies within the Arctic Circle, where residents experience the polar night in winter and the midnight sun in summer. The country's mountains, fjords and Arctic islands contribute to its low national average temperature.

Why are these countries so cold?

Several factors determine how cold a country is throughout the year:

1. Latitude: Countries closer to the Arctic receive far less solar energy during winter.

2. Altitude: Mountainous nations such as Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan remain much colder because temperatures decrease with elevation.

3. Continental climate: Countries far from the sea experience greater temperature extremes.

4. Arctic influence: Polar air masses and prolonged winter darkness keep temperatures exceptionally low.

Climate change is warming even the coldest countries

Although these nations remain among the coldest on Earth, they are warming faster than many other parts of the world.

Arctic regions have experienced some of the fastest rates of global warming, leading to melting glaciers, thawing permafrost and changing weather patterns.