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Administrative divisions are portions of a country or other political unit established for governance and administrative purposes. They organize authority, deliver public services, and support statistical analysis and planning.

Names, boundaries, and levels vary widely. Common top levels include regions, states, provinces, or autonomous communities, followed by subdivisions such as counties, districts, and municipalities. In federal systems, subnational units may have constitutional status and broad autonomy; in unitary states, powers are delegated and can be reorganized by central authority.

Boundaries are defined by law or administrative decree and adjust over time to reflect population changes, economics, or political decisions. The configuration of divisions affects taxation, elections, service provision, policy implementation, and regional planning.

Administrative divisions are a core element of administrative geography and governance. Data collection, budgeting, and public service delivery are often organized by these units to support policy analysis and accountability.

Examples include the United States (states, counties, municipalities), Canada (provinces and municipalities), Germany (Länder and districts), India (states and districts), France (regions and departments).

Local government bodies within divisions perform many public services; the degree of autonomy varies with constitutional design. Debates over decentralization, devolution, and redistricting influence governance, representation, and accountability.