Top 10 Least Populated Countries in the World
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As the man continued to multiply and spread over the earth, they naturally settled in areas that were most suitable for agriculture and industries. Areas that were not suitable for agriculture including the arid and remote island areas logically attracted the least number of settlers. As a result, in our modern age when people started to divide the world into countries, those areas that were the smallest in area tended to become countries with the smallest populations. With that in mind, check out below for the top 10 least populated countries in the world.
#10: American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the US located to the southeast of Samoa in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of two coral atolls and five main islands. The islands include Tutuila, Swains Island, and Rose Atoll. The largest of the island in both size and population is Tutuila. It is located to the west of the Cook Islands and 300 miles to the south of Tokelau. The island of Futuna group and Wallis also border it. The country has a population of 57,400 people spread throughout its total area of 199 square kilometer.[1]U.S. Department of the Interior – American Samoa Its main export is tuna. The inhabitants of American Samoa are bilingual who speak both English and Samoan. However, citizenship in the state is not granted at birth and people who are born in the country are considered non-citizen.
The government of the state is headed by a governor who is voted on a four-year term basis. Even though the country is a self-governing state, the president of the United States serves as its head of state.
#9: St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis, also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is one of many islands in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state found in the Western hemisphere in both area and population. While it is an independent country, it still recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. Basseterre is the country’s capital city. Nevis is part of the island and lies 3 kilometer southeast of the St. Kitts. The Island is 261 sq. km in size and has about 52,715 people living on it making it one of the least populated countries in the world. This island is the first one in the Caribbean to have European settlers.[2]The World Fact Book – CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN :: SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
Saint Kitts’ land is very fertile and is surrounded by beautiful waters. The country is governed by the Governor-General and has Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. In addition, the governor general is the adviser to the Prime Minister and the majority leader. The country is described as a Commonwealth realm and is guided by a constitutional monarchy. Its national assembly has 14 members that include 11 elected representatives and three senators. The senators are appointed on advice from the Prime Minister and the opposition leader. The senators do not sit in a separate houses but sit with other representatives in the National Assembly.
#8: Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands are an insular country that consists of 15 islands. They are situated in the North Western Pacific Ocean. They include all the islands in Mariana Archipelago except for Guam. The states land size is about 464 square kilometers and has a population of about 52,263 people.[3]The World Fact Book – AUSTRALIA-OCEANIA :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Capitol Hill is the state’s administrative center but Saipan is the island’s capital.
The island is a multiparty democracy and is a commonwealth of the United States. The executive branch is headed by the Governor but the state’s legislative power is vested in parliament. The judiciary power is vested in the Supreme Court. The area is susceptible to volcanic activities and so part of it has been evacuated. The United States federal laws apply to CNMI even though the CNMI itself is considered independent and not subject to US customs laws.
#7: Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an independent state in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the island group of Micronesia. In 2017, it had a population of about 74,539 people spread over 29 coral atolls.[4]The World Fact Book – AUSTRALIA-OCEANIA :: MARSHALL ISLANDS Additionally, it comprises of 1,156 individual islets and islands. Its island shares maritime boundaries with Micronesia (federal state) to the west and Wake Island to its north. It boarders Nauru to the south and Kiribati to the southeast. It capital is Majuro. However, while the islands are small and isolated, estimates by the United Nation in 2016 as put 73.3% of the population as urban. According to a UN report, a country’s population density is 295 people per square kilometer.
The majority of the country’s population are of Marshallese descent. However, the country also has a small number of immigrants from China, other Pacific islands, and the United States. The country uses Marshallese and English as its official languages. The two dominant churches in the Marshal Islands are the United Church of Christ and the Assemblies of God.
#6: Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign state in Western Europe. In addition, the country is a monarchical government.[5]Nations Encyclopedia – Monaco – Politics, government, and taxation France and the Mediterranean Sea border the country. It has an area of about 2.020 square kilometers. In addition, it has a population of about 38,400 people making it one of the least populated countries in the world. It is the second smallest country in the world. However, it has been getting larger by expanding the land mass through reclamation activities. These reclamation projects have expanded the country by about 1.974 square kilometers. French is the official language. However, people also widely speak English, Italian, and Monegasque as well.
It is a known playground for the rich because of its tax laws. In 2014, more than 30 percent of its citizens were millionaires. Prince Albert II is the current governing monarch. As the Head of State, the prince welds a lot of political power. The Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861 first recognized the state’s sovereignty. In addition, the state became a full United Nations member after 1993. Even though Monaco maintains two small military units, France is still responsible for the country’s defense.
#5: Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a German-speaking state located in central Europe. The monarchy is the head of the country. However, a prime minister and 4 additional ministers assist them.[6]Liechtenstein – Government The country’s neighbors include Switzerland to the west and Austria to the south. It is the fourth smallest country in Europe with an estimated population of about 37,000 people making it one of the least populated countries in the world. Despite its small size, the government has divided the country into eleven municipalities with Vaduz as its capital city.
Liechtenstein has an area of about 160 square kilometers. Schaan is the country’s largest municipality. Though its population is small, it has one of the highest GDP per person globally with an unemployment rate of about 1.5%. In the past, the country was a billionaire tax haven. However, today, due to the country’s mostly mountainous terrain, it is a a popular winter sports destination. It also has plenty of farms and cultivated fields in the south and northern parts of the country.
#4: San Marino
San Marino sits on the Italian peninsula in the Apennine Mountains. It covers 61 square kilometers. In 2016, it had a population of about 33,100 people making it one of the least populated countries in the world.[7]One World Nations Online – San Marino Its largest city is Serravalle but its capital city is San Marino. The country’s name comes from from Marinas. He was a legendary person in the country’s history. In fact, he participated in the construction of the Rimini city after Liburnian pirates destroyed it. He then founded an independent Monastic community Monte Titano in 301 A.D. The country is, therefore, the oldest constitutional republic and the oldest sovereign state.
It has its own constitution which governs its operations and dictates the country’s political system. In fact, historians believe the country has one the oldest written constitutions. Its economy relies on tourism, industries and financial services. It has a highly stable economy and is one of the countries with the lowest unemployment in Europe. The country does not have a national debt and always experiences a budget surplus. Interestingly, this is the only country in the world that has more vehicles than people who reside in it.
#3: Palau
Palau is an island located in the western Pacific Ocean. Due to its isolated location, it is one of the least populated countries in the world. Despite its small population, it consists of about 340 islands that cover an area of 340 square kilometers. Its most populated island is Koror. The country shares maritime boundaries with the state of Micronesia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It has a population of about 21,000 people making it one of the least populated countries in the world.[8]IMUNA – Palau
The US Trust Territory of Pacific Island governed the island until in 1979 when it gained full sovereignty. It is a presidential republic and the US provides funding and access to key social services. Its economy is mainly based on tourism, fishing, and subsistence farming. It uses the U.S. dollar as its currency and its population includes people from Austronesian, Melanesian and Micronesian descents. It also has a small percentage of people that includes Filipinos and Japanese settlers. Its two official languages are Palauan and English. In addition, other local languages include Toabian, Sonsorolese, and Japanese.
#2: Tuvalu
Tuvalu covers an area of 26 square kilometers.[9]The World Fact Book – AUSTRALIA-OCEANIA : TUVALU Additionally, it has a population of only 10,640 making it one of the least populated countries in the world. It is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean and lies northeast of the Santa Cruz Island. There are three main islands and six atolls which compose the whole country. The inhabitants are Polynesians who spread from Tonga and Samoa.
The British colonized it in the 19th century under the British protectorate. As such, it is a parliamentary democracy with Queen Elizabeth II serving as the head of state. However, a Governor General represents the country in her stead. The country acquired her independence in 1978. The head of state is the prime minister. However, members of parliament appoint the leader. Interestingly, the country does not have political parties. Therefore, personal and family ties are critical when electing officials.
As a country, Tuvalu is a member of Small Island States, a coalition of islands concerned with vulnerability to adverse effects.
#1: Vatican City
Vatican City tops the list of least populated countries in the world. It is a landlocked city-state. In addition, it is the head of the Catholic Christian faith. In fact, the city of Rome completely surrounds this walled in city state. The country only covers an area of 110 acres and has a population of about 1000 inhabitants.[10]UMSL – Vatican City – the smallest country in the world It is a state with international recognition. Its ruler is the bishop of Rome who resides in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. However, it was only established in 1929 by a Lateran treaty signed by state Pietro Gasparri (Cardinal Secretary of State). The state is now ruled by Pope Francis.
The state traces its roots to the first church built in 326. In 592, Pope Gregory became the Bishop of Rome. He governed neighboring regions including the Italian Peninsula. In the 19th century, the king of Italy seized the Papacy territory. As a result, it forced the Popes to use Quirinal and Lateran Palace as their habitual residence. In 1929, the Lateral Treaty resolved the issue between the kingdom of Italy and the Holy See establishing a Vatican City state.
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