Smallest Countries in the World: Top 10 List by Area and Population

It is fascinating that some sovereign nations are smaller than a typical city park. Vatican City holds the title of the smallest country in the world. Its population is smaller than that of many small neighborhoods, making it the world leader in both minimum land area and population count. Spanning just 0.49 square kilometers, this landlocked European enclave is surrounded by Rome, Italy. With a population of approximately 825 residents, it is smaller than many rural villages. In this article, we explore the top 10 smallest countries in the world by area and population.

Smallest Country in the World

The smallest country globally is Vatican City , covering a total area of 0.49 km² (0.19 mi²). It also ranks as the world's smallest nation by population, with roughly 825 citizens. Located entirely within Rome, Italy, it serves as the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Catholic Church. Historically established to formalize the authority of the Papacy, it remains a unique geopolitical entity. The smallest island nation in the world is Nauru. Below, we provide a complete list of the top 10 smallest countries by both land mass and population.

Smallest Country in the World By Area

When ranking nations by total land area, the list highlights significant microstates. Vatican City leads as the smallest, followed by Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu, San Marino, Liechtenstein, the Marshall Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Maldives, and Malta.

Population Wise Smallest Countries

Another way to categorize these nations is by population size. Vatican City is the smallest country by population with only 825 residents, followed by Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Marshall Islands, and Dominica. Refer to the table below for a complete breakdown of the 10 smallest countries by population.

The Vatican City (Smallest Country in the World)

The world's smallest country is Vatican City, also known as the Holy See. Spanning just 0.44 to 0.49 square kilometers, it maintains the lowest population density in the world, with roughly 75 percent of its citizens being members of the clergy. It is home to St. Peter's Basilica, one of the world's largest churches, and houses priceless artistic treasures like Michelangelo's Pietà and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Its economy relies primarily on contributions from the global Roman Catholic community and tourism.