Top 10 Smallest Countries By Population – New 2021 World Records!
...You will be surprised to discover that there are countries whose inhabitants number in just tens of thousands and even hundreds!...
When talking about populations of world countries, the minimum expectation is for the numbers to be in millions because, they are after all, countries, but this is not always the case. You will be surprised to discover that there are countries whose inhabitants number in just tens of thousands and even hundreds! Reasons for this vary from factors such as harsh weather conditions in such countries to their geographical locations and relatively small land areas.
Top 10 Smallest Countries By Population
1. Vatican City
Smallest Country In The World By Population – Less than 1,000
Despite being the home nation to one of the world’s most famous individuals, The Pope, this country’s population doesn’t even cross the thousand mark. Thus, by a long way, Vatican City is the world’s smallest United Nations recognized country by population.
With land area of just 0.17 square miles, Vatican City is also the smallest country in the world in terms of land size and it is completely surrounded by Rome.
2. Tuvalu
2nd Smallest Country In The World By Population – 11,192
The second country on this list of least populated countries is Tuvalu which is a group of nine tiny islands comprising three reef islands and six atolls located on the South Pacific Ocean and gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.
With a population of just over 11,000, Tuvalu became a member of the United Nations in 2000 and is still ruled by Queen Elizabeth II.
3. Nauru
3rd Smallest Country In The World By Population – 11,200
Regarded as one of the most remote countries in the world with its nearest neighbor, Banaba Island almost 300 kilometers away and with a reputation for the being the most obese nation on Earth, Nauru comes in third on this list. It was formerly called ‘Pleasant Island’ with 11,200 people occupying a total land area of 8.1 square miles.
4. Palau
4th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 17,907
Palau is another group of islands to make this list and like Tuvalu, is located on the South Pacific Ocean. For lovers of Geography quizzes, the capital city is Ngerulmud – incase the question ever pops up. The country has a whopping 340 islands for just 17,907 people, an average of just 53 people per island which is not quite feasible as not all the islands are habitable. This remote country is a superb getaway for intrepid travelers and thrill seekers as there are remarkable sights to be seen.
5. San Marino
5th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 33,344
Ranking fifth on the list is San Marino; a small republic situated on the slopes of Mount Titano on the Adriatic side of Central Italy and is completely surrounded by the Republic of Italy. Up until the independence of Nauru in 1968, San Marino was the smallest republic in the world and it is the smallest independent state in Europe in terms of land mass after Vatican City and Monaco.
33,344 citizens covering 61.2 square kilometers ensure this sole survivor of Italy’s once powerful city-state network endures, cementing its status as the world’s oldest sovereign state and its oldest republic.
6. Monaco
6th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 37,623
Officially known as the Principality of Monaco, this is a sovereign city-state and country bordered on three sides by France. Squeezed into just 200 hectares, Monaco might just be the world’s second smallest country after the Vatican.
Known for not levying tax on its 38000 plus residents, Monaco is a haven for the wealthy and a playground for tourists due to its climate and beautiful setting. It is also famous for being the host of the annual Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
7. Liechtenstein
7th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 37,815
Known for its ancient castles, alpine landscapes and network of villages, Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, 25 kilometers long principality between Germany and Austria. It is also one of the two double-landlocked countries in the world – this means it is surrounded by two or more landlocked countries which are not connected to the World Ocean.
Liechtenstein only has a slightly higher population than Monaco and the pair often switch positions when their populations fluctuate.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis
8th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 54,821
Saint Kitts and Nevis known more formally as Saint Christopher Island is the first Caribbean entry on this list and is basically a group of two islands situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The capital city Basseterre is populated by over 13000 people.
9. Marshall Islands
9th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 58,413
The Republic of Marshall Islands is a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean and is associated to the United States of America. It is known to be one of the two countries in the world made up entirely of low-lying coral atolls i.e. a lagoon surrounded by an island.
Due to its location and difficulty to access, Marshall Islands is one of the least visited countries in the world with an estimated 5000 visitors yearly.
10. Dominica
10th Smallest Country In The World By Population – 71,808
The last country on this list is Dominica, an island country located in the Caribbean Sea. It has an amazing nine volcanoes and is host to the second largest boiling lake in the world.
Visitors to the country have been left dazzled by its great natural beauty and spectacular mountainous topography.