There are 195 countries in the world. Most of them are packed with tens of cities and towns that span thousands of square miles. However, there are a few countries that are very small in size. These countries often have a small population of a few hundred or thousand people. Despite being small, they also tend to have unique historical and cultural significance. Here are the top 10 smallest countries in the world.
1. Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest city-state, measuring only 0.19 square miles, and is surrounded by Rome. As of 2023, Vatican City had a population of around 800 citizens, most of whom were priests, clergy, and other members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Unlike most countries, Vatican City is governed by the Holy See, which oversees the Catholic Church. Despite being a small country, Vatican City attracts millions of visitors annually. Some of its most popular destinations include St Peter’s Basilica.
2. Monaco
Many people assume Monaco is part of Italy, but it is an independent and sovereign state. Monaco comes in second on the list of the world’s smallest countries, with an area of 0.80 square miles. It’s bigger than Vatican City and has a population of at least 38,000 people as of 2023.
One mind-blowing fact about Monaco is that it has more billionaires and millionaires per capita than any other country globally. Monaco is estimated to have 15 billionaires, and at least 30% of the residents are millionaires. Monaco gets thousands of visitors yearly, most of whom come to watch the Formula 1 race at the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.
3. Nauru
This is a country that most people don’t even know of its existence. It is 8.1 square miles and has a population of around 10,000 people, according to its official government website. Nauru is an island country that’s located in the Central Pacific. It gained independence in 1968 and is a United Nations trustee. This was after Australia, Japan, and Germany had occupied it during the world wars.
4. Tuvalu
Still on the Central Pacific Ocean lies another country called Tuvalu, covering an area of 10 square miles. Tuvalu was a colony of the United Kingdom and attained its independence in 1978. This country comprises nine tiny islands, five of which are coral atolls. Tuvalu was initially known as the Ellice Islands.
5. San Marino
Another independent country that’s often confused as a part of Italy is San Marino. Like Monaco, it is also bordered by Italy. However, it’s much bigger, with a space of 23.6 square miles. San Marino has an estimated population of 33,500, according to Worldometer. An interesting fact about San Marino is that most of its space is occupied by Monte Titano, a mountain in the region serving as its highest point.
6. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is another country that flies under the radar of most tourists despite offering an excellent view of Alpine landscapes. It is the 4th smallest country in Europe and 6th in the world has a size of 62 square miles. This is the equivalent size of Washington, DC.
Recent statistics show it has a population of 40,000 people. Most of its population is comprised of Alemannic people, with only a third of its residents being foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, and Italy.
7. Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands is famous for being home to the world’s largest shark sanctuary. Besides that, it is one of the smallest countries in the world. It has a size of 70 square miles and a population of 37,00o people. As of 2024, this country has 24 coral atolls and 1,156 islands and islets. Some of these islands appear and disappear depending on the tide.
8. Federation of Christopher and Nevis
Mostly referred to as Saint Kitts and Nevis, this country was named after Saint Christopher, abbreviated as Kitts. The Nevis part came from when Christopher Columbus discovered it in 1493 and called it Nuestra Senora de las Nieves, which translates to Our Lady of the Snows.
The Federation of Christopher and Nevis, located in the Caribbean, covers an area of 104 square miles and has a population of about 45,000 people. It’s small but boasts a significant history that draws tourists from around the world.
9. Malta
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Malta has an appetizing cuisine, vibrant art, a beautiful shoreline, and an unforgettable cultural experience. Malta is bordered by Sicily in the north and Libya in the south. Despite its fame, it’s a relatively small country with a size of 122 square miles. It has a population of 542,000. Note that Malta comprises of other islands such as Comino, Gozo, Filfla, and Cominotto.
10. Maldives
Maldives needs no introduction because it’s a popular tourist destination. However, many may not know that it’s a relatively small country. It is an island country located along the Indian Ocean with more than a thousand coral islands.
Maldives’ land size covers 115 square miles, but that figure jumps to 35,000 square miles when the sea is included. Unlike most countries on this list, the Maldives has a population of 528,405 people as of 2024.
