Every year, the Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index takes stock of each country's international representation around the world. This is all the more important in a multi-polar world where the number of conflicts and tensions. This is what the Lowy Institute points out in the introduction to its index.
Launched in 2016, the index is more important than ever in a "more contested world". The latest version, published in 2024, shows the diplomatic networks of 66 countries and territories around the world. A useful tool for business travellersThey will be able to rely on their country's official institutions abroad where appropriate.
Strong expansion by Turkey to the detriment of France
The countries with the largest diplomatic representations include China (274 representations), the United States (271) and Turkey (252).. These figures include the embassy network as well as missions, representations to international organisations and consulates.
France has dropped two places in the rankings between 2023 and 2024, with 249 diplomatic representations.ranking just behind Japan (251 representations). France lost two diplomatic representations, while Turkey gained two new diplomatic representations. For budgetary reasons, France has rationalised its consular network, downgrading some posts to the rank of "consular agency".
Nonetheless, France remains by far the country with the highest diplomatic representation in the European Union and Western Europe. The United Kingdom has 225 diplomatic representations, Germany 217, Italy 206 and Spain 190.
Among other French-speaking European countries Switzerland tops the list with 141 performances and Belgium with 113 embassies and diplomatic missions. Visit Luxembourg demonstrated its dynamism in 2024 with 6 new representations and a total of 46 embassies and consulates!
In the rest of the world, two countries only maintain more than 200 embassies the Russia and the Brazil. La war with Ukraine will have decimated part of the Russian embassy network. According to the index, the Russian Federation has closed 14 diplomatic representations since 2022.
Paris, second city in the world for diplomatic representations
Europe also has the highest number of diplomatic missions per city. The Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index mentions that four of the five most popular diplomatic capitals in the world are on the European continent. Not least because they are home to major international institutions.
Brussels tops the list with 124 foreign missionsIt is also the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. With 118 positions, Paris ranks second. The city is home to the OECD, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNESCO, among others. Unsurprisingly, the city with the third highest number of diplomatic representations in Europe is Geneva with 99 positions. The largest city in French-speaking Switzerland is home to the headquarters of the WTO (World Trade Organisation) and numerous specialised UN agencies. A privilege it shares with ViennaThanks to the presence of numerous institutions affiliated to the UN and OPEC, the country boasts 98 diplomatic posts.
Outside Europe, New York has more diplomatic representations than Washington 116 against 74! A figure linked to the presence of the United Nations in the metropolis of the United States. Visit Asiais Jakarta which has the largest number of representations (75), far ahead of Tokyo (63) and Beijing (62). This figure is explained by the presence of the General Secretariat of ASEAN, the association of South-East Asian countries.
