How Many Countries Participate in Eurovision?

The Eurovision Song Contest is renowned for its large and diverse participation, featuring a multitude of countries from across Europe and beyond. But just how many nations vie for the coveted microphone trophy each year? The number fluctuates slightly, but generally, around 40 countries participate in Eurovision annually.

The precise figure varies due to several factors. Primarily, it depends on the number of national broadcasters that are active members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and choose to enter the competition. The EBU is the organization that produces Eurovision, and only its members are eligible to participate. Not all EBU members automatically enter every year; some may opt out due to financial constraints, internal political reasons, or a lack of perceived chances of success.

Over the decades, the roster of participating countries has shifted. Some nations have joined, withdrawn, and occasionally rejoined the contest. For example, countries in the former Yugoslavia, such as Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, each now participate independently after the dissolution of the union. Similarly, nations from the former Soviet Union, like Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and others, have become active participants.

Historically, the highest number of participating countries was 43, a record achieved in 2008 and 2011. More recently, the number typically hovers between 37 and 43. In 2023, for example, 37 countries competed in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The 2024 contest in Malmö, Sweden, featured 37 participating countries as well. The number can also be affected by disqualifications, like Russia’s exclusion in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, impacting the final count.

A few countries, though not geographically located within Europe, are eligible to participate as they are members of the EBU. The most notable example is Australia, which has been a participant since 2015. Its inclusion is due to the popularity of Eurovision in Australia and the country’s active association with the EBU.

In essence, while the exact number of participating countries may change slightly from year to year, Eurovision reliably features around 40 countries representing a broad spectrum of European and associated cultures, making it one of the world’s largest and most captivating musical events.

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