Brian PaulThe world’s smallest countries by population are scattered across the globe, from the heart of Europe to remote Pacific islands. These nations, some with populations smaller than a typical village, represent unique political and cultural entities that have maintained their sovereignty despite their tiny size. The following list ranks the 10 least populated sovereign states in the world based on United Nations projections and data from Worldometer and WorldAtlas.
Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World by Population
1. Vatican City – 500-900 residents
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by both area and population, with approximately 500 to 900 residents. This tiny city-state, surrounded entirely by Rome, serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and the official residence of the Pope. No one can be a citizen by birth; citizenship is granted only to those working in service of the Holy See, and it is revoked when their employment ends. The country has a zero birth rate and no hospital, making it truly unique among nations.
2. Tuvalu – ~9,300 to 9,500 people
Tuvalu is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, made up of nine low-lying islands and atolls. With a population of around 9,300 to 9,500, it is one of the world’s most isolated and lowest-lying countries, facing an existential threat from rising sea levels caused by climate change. The country’s economy runs largely on remittances, fishing licence revenue, and the sale of its “.tv” internet domain.
3. Nauru – ~12,000 to 12,500 people
Nauru is a single coral island of just 21 square kilometres in the central Pacific, making it the world’s smallest island nation by area. With an estimated population of 12,000 to 12,500, it is the third-smallest sovereign country. Once prosperous due to rich phosphate deposits, Nauru now faces significant economic challenges after the phosphate reserves were largely depleted, leaving about 80% of the island’s interior an uninhabitable wasteland. It is the only country without an official capital.
4. Palau – ~17,600 to 18,100 people
Palau is a Micronesian republic of about 340 islands located east of the Philippines and north of Indonesia. With a population of approximately 17,600 to 18,100, the country is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and was the first nation in the world to declare a shark sanctuary in 2009. The economy relies heavily on tourism centred on the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. San Marino – ~33,600 to 34,100 people
San Marino is a 61-square-kilometre republic entirely surrounded by Italy, located in the Apennine Mountains. With a population of around 33,600 to 34,100, San Marino claims to be the world’s oldest continuously existing sovereign republic, founded on September 3, 301 CE. Its economy combines banking, ceramics, and tourism, and it has one of the highest GDPs per capita in Europe.
6. Monaco – ~38,000 to 38,900 people
Monaco is a 2.08-square-kilometre principality on the French Mediterranean coast and the second-smallest sovereign state in the world by area after Vatican City. With a population of approximately 38,000 to 38,900, Monaco is the most densely populated sovereign country in the world, at roughly 18,400 people per square kilometre. Roughly one in three residents is reportedly a millionaire, and there is no personal income tax for residents.
7. Liechtenstein – ~40,000 people
Liechtenstein is a German-speaking principality nestled between Switzerland and Austria. With a population of around 40,000, it is one of the few countries with more registered companies than citizens, thanks to its robust banking and financial services industry. It is also one of the richest countries in the world per capita.
8. Marshall Islands – ~35,000 to 36,000 people
The Marshall Islands consist of 29 coral atolls and over 1,000 small islands spread across the central Pacific Ocean. With a population of approximately 35,000 to 36,000, it is known for its beautiful lagoons and its complex history tied to US nuclear testing in the mid-20th century. The country is made up of two island chains: the Ratak and Ralik chains.
9. Saint Kitts and Nevis – ~47,000 people
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a two-island nation in the Caribbean and the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere. With a population of around 47,000, the country is famous for its lush landscapes, volcanic mountains, and historical sugar plantations. Tourism is now its main source of income.
10. Dominica – ~66,000 people
Dominica is a small Caribbean island nation located between Martinique and Guadeloupe. With a population of approximately 66,000, it is known for its lush rainforests, hot springs, and the world’s second-largest boiling lake. Dominica’s economy relies on agriculture, particularly bananas, and its growing eco-tourism sector.
## Comparison Table
| No | Country | Approx. Population (2026) | Region | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | 500–900 | Europe | Smallest independent state, center of Catholic Church, zero birth rate |
| 2 | Tuvalu | 9,300–9,500 | Oceania | Lowest‑lying country, threatened by rising sea levels, “.tv” domain sales |
| 3 | Nauru | 12,000–12,500 | Oceania | Smallest island nation, phosphate mining decline, no official capital |
| 4 | Palau | 17,600–18,100 | Oceania | First shark sanctuary, 340 islands, marine biodiversity hotspot |
| 5 | San Marino | 33,600–34,100 | Europe | World’s oldest republic, founded 301 CE, high GDP per capita |
| 6 | Monaco | 38,000–38,900 | Europe | Most densely populated, no income tax, high concentration of millionaires |
| 7 | Liechtenstein | ~40,000 | Europe | Doubly landlocked, strong banking sector, Alpine scenery |
| 8 | Marshall Islands | 35,000–36,000 | Oceania | 29 coral atolls, US nuclear testing history, two island chains |
| 9 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | ~47,000 | Caribbean | Smallest country in Western Hemisphere, volcanic landscapes |
| 10 | Dominica | ~66,000 | Caribbean | Rainforests, boiling lake, eco‑tourism focus |
Success Tips for Understanding Small Populations
The population figures for these countries vary slightly between sources due to different data collection methods and projection years.
Some lists include dependent territories (like Gibraltar, Tokelau, or the Falkland Islands), which are not sovereign states.
This list focuses only on fully sovereign nations. Many of these countries face unique challenges: island nations like Tuvalu and Nauru are threatened by climate change and economic dependency, while European microstates rely heavily on tourism, banking, or special tax arrangements.
Closing
The world’s smallest countries by population range from the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church to remote Pacific islands with populations smaller than a typical neighbourhood. While some, like Nauru and Tuvalu, face existential challenges, others, like Monaco and Liechtenstein, have become global centres of wealth. Despite their tiny size, each of these nations has maintained its sovereignty and cultural identity for centuries. Note that all population figures are estimates and are subject to change based on migration patterns, economic conditions, and demographic trends.