Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded — By Country

About This Dataset

The highest air temperatures ever officially recorded in each of the world's major countries, according to World Meteorological Organisation records. Death Valley in California holds the all-time global temperature record of 56.7°C (134°F) recorded on 10 July 1913 — though some scientists dispute the instrumentation used at that time.

✨ AI Insight

The data reveals a stark contrast between the highest recorded temperatures, with Libya's disputed 58.0°C standing out as an extreme outlier, while the next highest, Tunisia's 55.0°C, is a full 3 degrees lower. Kuwait has notably recorded multiple high temperatures in recent years, including 54.0°C in 2016 and 53.6°C in 2021, indicating a troubling trend of increasing heat extremes in the region. This may reflect broader climate change patterns, as global temperatures continue to rise, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. The records from the early 20th century, such as Death Valley's 56.7°C, are often scrutinized for their measurement accuracy, yet they still serve as a benchmark for understanding current climate extremes.

Source: World Meteorological Organisation

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Aziziya (Libya) leads with 58 in 2021.

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Average value in 2021: 54 · median: 54.

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2016 recorded the highest combined total across all categories.

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Gap in 2021: Aziziya (Libya) is 1.1× larger than Oodnadatta (Australia).