How many countries drive on the left?
About 75 jurisdictions worldwide—roughly 54 sovereign countries plus a number of territories and dependencies—drive on the left as of 2025, encompassing around 35% of the world’s population. The exact count varies by whether you include non-sovereign territories (such as Hong Kong, Macau, and British Overseas Territories), but “about 75” is the widely accepted figure.
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What that number includes
When people ask how many “countries” drive on the left, they often mix sovereign states with territories and dependencies. By a strict sovereign-state count, there are about 54 countries using left-hand traffic (LHT). When territories and dependencies are included, the total rises to roughly 75. This explains why you may see sources cite slightly different totals.
Where people drive on the left
The following selection highlights key left-driving places by region. It is not exhaustive but captures the largest populations and most recognizable jurisdictions that follow left-hand traffic rules.
- Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Timor-Leste; territories: Hong Kong, Macau
- Europe: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus; territories/dependencies: Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey (note: Gibraltar drives on the right)
- Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu; territories: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Pitcairn Islands
- Americas/Caribbean: Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; South America: Guyana, Suriname; territories: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Falkland Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (LHT despite being a U.S. territory)
Collectively, these regions account for most left-driving populations, led by South and Southeast Asia, as well as the UK/Ireland, Southern and Eastern Africa, and Australia–New Zealand and the Pacific.
Why different sources give different counts
Reported totals can differ slightly depending on definitions and edge cases. These are the main reasons the number is often given as “about 75.”
- Definition of “country”: Some lists count only sovereign states; others include territories, dependencies, and special administrative regions.
- Territorial nuances: Examples include Hong Kong and Macau (LHT), British Overseas Territories (mostly LHT), and places like the U.S. Virgin Islands (LHT under a right-driving nation).
- Connectivity exceptions: Gibraltar, despite being a British territory, drives on the right to align with Spain.
- Data updates and reclassifications: Occasional administrative changes or improved categorizations can shift tallies by one or two.
Because of these factors, reputable references generally converge on a figure in the mid-70s for all jurisdictions, with roughly 54 when counting only sovereign states.
About 35% of the world’s population lives in left-driving jurisdictions. The largest are India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, and Bangladesh—together representing the bulk of LHT road users worldwide.
Recent changes and outlook
Side-of-road rules rarely change today. Notable shifts include Sweden (1967) and Myanmar (1970) moving from left to right, and Samoa switching from right to left in 2009. Rwanda has periodically studied a switch to align with some East African neighbors but, as of 2025, still drives on the right. No major left/right switches are currently scheduled.
Summary
As of 2025, cars drive on the left in about 75 jurisdictions worldwide, including approximately 54 sovereign countries—home to roughly 35% of the global population. The precise figure varies with how territories and dependencies are counted, but the distribution remains stable, concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, the UK and Ireland, and across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.
