How many countries in the world use the metric system?

The Metric System: A Global Norm with Limited Exceptions

In the realm of measurement, uniformity plays a crucial role in facilitating global commerce, scientific collaboration, and everyday life. The metric system, a standardized system of measurement, has emerged as the global norm, with only a few notable exceptions.

The metric system, developed in France in the late 18th century, is based on the concept of decimal relationships. It uses the base unit of the meter for length, the kilogram for mass, and the second for time. These units serve as the foundation for derived units such as the liter for volume and the ampere for electric current.

The overwhelming majority of nations have adopted the metric system as their official system of measurement. This includes almost every country in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Even countries with a long history of using imperial units, such as the United Kingdom, have transitioned to metric units for most purposes.

However, there are a handful of countries that still resist metric adoption. The most prominent exceptions are the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.

• United States: The United States is the largest country in the world that has not fully adopted the metric system. It still uses imperial units for many applications, including road distances (miles), fuel consumption (gallons), and temperature (Fahrenheit). While the government has made efforts to promote metric usage, there has been limited success due to cultural inertia and the widespread use of imperial units in daily life.

• Liberia: Liberia, a small West African nation, adopted the metric system in 1982 but later reverted to imperial units. The reasons for this reversal are unclear, but it may be related to the influence of the United States, which has a significant presence in Liberia.

• Myanmar: Myanmar (formerly Burma) has officially adopted the metric system, but its implementation has been slow and incomplete. Many traditional measurements, such as the “pyi” (a unit of length equal to about 2 feet), are still commonly used.

It is worth noting that even in countries that have officially adopted the metric system, there may still be some residual use of imperial units. For example, the United Kingdom retains the use of miles per hour for road speeds and pints for beer. This is often due to cultural or practical considerations, such as the convenience of familiar units or the need for compatibility with legacy equipment.

The global embrace of the metric system has brought numerous benefits, including enhanced trade and communication, improved scientific collaboration, and increased efficiency in manufacturing. While a few countries remain holdouts, the metric system continues to be the dominant system of measurement worldwide.