Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World by Population (2023)

There are so many countries in the world today and not all of them are populated. The population of a country matters a lot and if a more populated country sees another country growing populated they might even see it as a threat to them. The more populated a country is the more workforce and the more crime rates and other vices as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to all of this and a country with a small country has massive benefits as well.

Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World by Population

1. Vatican City

The Vatican City state is independent and it is called a microstate which is an enclave within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest state in the world by area and population that gained independence in 1929 and since then it is under full ownership and dominion of the Holy See itself Vatican City contains lots of religious and cultural sites and it is estimated to have a population of about 800 persons and their army which is known as the Swiss Guard has been estimated to be the smallest army in the world. The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by donations from the faithful the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, fees for admission to museums, and sales of publications. Vatican City has no taxes and items are duty-free.

2. Nauru

This is the third smallest country by land size but is the 2nd smallest country in the world by population. This country was first known a as pleasant island located in Oceania. It was annexed and claimed as a colony by the German empire in the 19th This country has a population of about 10,000 people. Over time this country became a tax heaven and illegal money laundering centre. The sovereign state is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.

3. Tuvalu

This is an island country in Oceania that is located in the Pacific Ocean. It has been in existence for years now and the country is vulnerable to climate change like sea level rise. This country has a population of about 12,000 people. The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesians which began about three thousand years ago. Tuvalu does not have a significant amount of soil so they import food fishing. They have fishing and tourism which have added a significant amount of funding to their economy.

4. Palau

This is an island country and microstate in the western pacific. This country was first drawn on a European map by a German missionary and based on the description the Palau islands were made part of the Spanish East Indies in 1885. Politically, Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, which provides defence, funding, and access to social services. Their official languages are Japanese, Sonsorolese, and Tobian recognized as regional languages. This country has a population of about 18,000 people.

5. San Marino

San Marino has been in existence for a long with a population of over 32,000 people and they are located in the mountain. This country makes good money and you can see how it is being invested into their country. Their healthcare system has been top-notch over the years and the country’s economy is mainly based on finance, industry, services, retail, and tourism. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world in GDP per capita, with a figure comparable to the most developed European regions.

6. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is bordered by Austria to the east and north and Switzerland to the west and south. It is once known as the billionaire tax haven and it has a strong financial trade centred in Vaduz. Economically, Liechtenstein has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for purchasing power parity. The country is beautiful and it has partied itself with several unions except for the European Union because originally it was not designed with a microstate in mind. This country has a population of about 38,000 people.

7. Monaco

Monaco has a population of about 40,000 people living in the country and it is known as the second smallest sovereign state in the world by land area. This country is not part of the European Union but it participates in foreign policies and since then they have been able to grow its economy using sports and other things. They are part of the french Ligue 1 and they have a strong football team which is called AS Monaco and they have been able to win trophies on multiple occasions.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

This country was among the first islands in the Caribbean that were colonized by the Europeans and they have a population of about 53,000 people. Saint Kitts was home to the first British and French Caribbean colonies, and thus has also been titled “The Mother Colony of the West Indies”.

9. Marshall Islands

This is an independent country and microstate that is near the equator and in the Pacific Ocean. With a population of about 60,000 people, the Marshall islands share maritime boundaries with Wake island to the North Marshall Islands are of Marshallese descent, though there are small numbers of immigrants from the United States, China, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands. The two official languages are Marshallese, which is one of the Oceanic languages, and English.

10. Dominica

This is an island country in the Caribbean, the capital is located on the western part of the Island and it has a population of about 72,000 people it has been nicknamed the nature island of the Caribbean of the natural environment.

Finally

There are several small countries in the world today and some of them are either small by population or land mass. We have given you a list of the top 10 smallest countries in the world by population.