Helena Frye
Badminton is a popular sport worldwide, with a significant following in Asia, Europe, and North America. While it is hard to pinpoint the exact number of countries with professional badminton teams, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport's governing body, has approximately 47 member countries. China consistently tops the list of the best badminton countries, with Indonesia, Denmark, South Korea, and Malaysia close behind. These countries have consistently produced top-performing athletes and won numerous medals in the Badminton World Championships and the Olympics. Other countries to watch out for in the badminton scene include Germany, France, England, Spain, Canada, the United States, Egypt, and Brazil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries with professional badminton teams | 47 (approximate number of members of the Badminton World Federation) |
| Top-performing countries | China, Indonesia, Denmark, South Korea, Malaysia, India, Japan, Canada, United States of America, Egypt, Brazil, Germany, France, England, Spain |
| Countries where badminton is the national sport | Indonesia, Malaysia |
| Countries where badminton is very popular | Indonesia, Malaysia, England, New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, India, China, Japan, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Spain |
| Countries with notable badminton players | Indonesia (Hendra Setiawan, Lilyana Natsir), South Korea (Park Joo-bong), Japan (Kento Momota), Spain (Carolina Marin), Canada (Michelle Li), England (Marcus Ellis, Lauren Smith) |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity of badminton in China
Badminton is one of the most popular sports in China, with over 100 million players. The sport is accessible to people of all ages and skill levels, and its popularity has been boosted by China's success in international competitions. Chinese badminton players have dominated the sport for many years, winning numerous gold medals at the Olympics and other major international events. This success has helped raise the profile of the sport in China and inspired a new generation of players to take it up.
Badminton was introduced to China in the 19th century by British expatriates, and the first national badminton tournament was held in 1920. The sport has since become deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and is often used in films and TV shows to symbolise elegance, grace, and beauty. It is also a popular way for Chinese people to socialise and build relationships, with many workplaces organising company teams and tournaments.
Badminton's popularity in China can also be attributed to the country's emphasis on sports and physical fitness. The Chinese government has invested heavily in sports infrastructure and training programs, with badminton being one of the key beneficiaries. This has helped foster a culture of sports excellence in the country, with badminton as a key part of it.
However, some are cautious about badminton's future in China, as new sports are emerging and the country's birth rate is declining. Parents now have more options for their children, including sports like rock climbing and surfing, which were not very accessible in the past. Despite these concerns, badminton remains a dominant sport in China, with a large and passionate player base.
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Badminton in Indonesia
Badminton is extremely popular in Indonesia, where it is the national sport. It is the only sport in which Indonesia has won an Olympic gold medal, which its players have achieved seven times. Indonesia is one of only two countries, the other being China, to have won all badminton disciplines in the Olympic Games. The country has a strong national badminton team, which has enjoyed success in international competitions.
The Indonesian National Badminton Team represents the country in international badminton team competitions and is controlled by the Badminton Association of Indonesia, the governing body for badminton in the country. The men's team has participated in the Thomas Cup (world men's team championship) 30 times, winning 14 titles. The women's team has participated in the Uber Cup 27 times, winning three titles. The mixed team won the Sudirman Cup in 1989.
Badminton is deeply embedded in Indonesian culture and is played by people of all ages and walks of life. There are 800 badminton clubs spread across the country, and games, both organized and informal, are a common sight. The country's top players are treated like celebrities, with fans showing great enthusiasm and support for both local and foreign players.
Indonesia's success in badminton has contributed to its popularity, with fans closely following the team's performance in major competitions like the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, Olympics, and other international events. The sport receives significant attention in Indonesia during the Olympic Games, with the country eagerly awaiting the addition of more gold medals.
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Badminton in Malaysia
Although Indonesia is the only country that has badminton as its national sport, the game is extremely popular in Malaysia, where it is considered the unofficial national sport. Malaysian badminton stars LCW, LZJ, and Goh Liu Ying are extremely popular and earn a lot of money from endorsements.
Malaysia has a national badminton team that competes in international competitions. The men's team has won the Thomas Cup five times, most recently in 1992, and has been the runner-up nine times. The women's team has had its best results in the Uber Cup competition, making it to the quarter-finals in 1975, 2004, 2008, and 2010. Malaysia has also competed in the Sudirman Cup since 1989, with its best results in 2009, 2021, and 2023, placing third.
Malaysia has also hosted several badminton tournaments, such as the PERODUA Malaysia Masters 2025, which saw an all-Malaysian final in the men's doubles category. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has also lodged a formal complaint with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) regarding umpiring decisions during the tournament.
Badminton is a popular sport in many countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Denmark, Germany, France, England, Spain, Canada, the United States, Egypt, and Brazil. The sport is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which has approximately 47 member countries.
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Badminton in India
Badminton is a popular sport in India, though it is overshadowed by cricket. The sport is managed by the Badminton Association of India, which is associated with Badminton Asia and the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The Indian national badminton team represents India in international badminton tournaments. The men's team won the Thomas Cup in 2022, while the women's team reached the semifinals of the Uber Cup in 2014 and 2016. India has won 3 medals at the Summer Olympics, 10 medals at the BWF World Championships, 10 medals at the Asian Games, and 25 medals at the Commonwealth Games.
Indian badminton players have achieved notable success in international competitions. Prakash Padukone was the first Indian player to achieve the world number 1 ranking. He also won the All England Open in 1980 and a medal at the BWF World Championships in 1982, becoming the first Indian to do so. Srikanth Kidambi became the second male player from India to reach the world number 1 ranking in April 2018. Saina Nehwal was the first female player from India to achieve the world number 1 ranking, in April 2015. She also won the bronze medal in the women's individual competition at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal. P. V. Sindhu is the first Indian to become the World Champion, which she achieved in 2019. She is also the only player from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympics, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Other Indian players who have ranked in the world's top ten include Jwala Gutta, Lakshya Sen, H. S. Prannoy, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty.
The Badminton Association of India plays a crucial role in promoting and developing the sport in the country. They organize national-level tournaments, support the Indian national team, and provide infrastructure and training facilities for aspiring players. The association also aims to increase participation and improve the standard of badminton across India by conducting coaching programs and grassroots development initiatives.
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Top badminton countries in the world
While it is challenging to pinpoint the exact number of countries with professional badminton teams, the sport's popularity spans the globe. Here is a look at some of the top badminton countries in the world:
China
China has been the dominant force in badminton for decades. Since its inclusion in the Olympics in 1992, Asian players have won the vast majority of Olympic medals, with China taking home a significant portion of those medals. The Chinese government actively supports its players, providing housing, food, and training programs, resulting in a vast player base of over 100 million people. China has consistently topped the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Country Ranking since 2011.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the only country that has badminton as its national sport. The sport is extremely popular, with both local and foreign players treated like celebrities. Indonesia boasts impressive achievements in the Thomas Cup (a World Men's Team Championship), having won it a remarkable 14 times. Indonesian players are known for their versatility, coordination, and stamina, particularly in men's doubles, where they have multiple pairs ranked in the top 10 worldwide.
Denmark
Denmark has consistently been a top performer in badminton, featuring in the top 10 countries since 2011. Danish players have achieved notable success in both singles and doubles categories, with Thomas Lund and Marlene Thomsen winning gold medals for the country.
Malaysia
Badminton is the unofficial national sport of Malaysia, and the country has produced stars such as LCW, LZJ, and Goh Liu Ying, who have earned significant endorsements. Malaysia has had success in international competitions, with multiple medals in the World Badminton Championships.
India
Badminton is a popular sport in India, although it is somewhat overshadowed by cricket. India has a rich history with the sport, as it existed in the country as early as 1500 B.C. under the name "Poona." India has produced world-class players, with victories in the Olympics, World Championships, and Thomas Cup, helping to grow the sport's popularity.
Other Notable Countries
Several other countries are making their mark in the world of badminton. These include traditional powerhouses like South Korea and up-and-coming nations such as Germany, France, England, Spain, Canada, the United States of America, and Egypt. These countries have shown potential and could challenge the established top badminton nations in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
There are approximately 47 members of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). However, it is unclear how many of these countries have professional badminton teams.
China is the top-performing country in the Badminton World Championships since 1977. Chinese players have won 61 gold medals, 42 silver medals, and 64 bronze medals.
Indonesia is the second-best performing country in the Badminton World Championships. Indonesian players have won 21 gold medals, 17 silver medals, and 33 bronze medals.
