When we think about countries, we generally imagine large territories, major cities and millions of people. However, several sovereign nations around the world are remarkably small in terms of geographical area. These nations are commonly known as microstates and are spread across Europe, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean and other regions.
In 2026, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by area, covering only about 0.44–0.49 square kilometres. It is also the world’s least-populous sovereign state. Located entirely within Rome, Italy, Vatican City is the headquarters of the Holy See and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church.
This article provides the top 10 smallest countries in the world by area in 2026, along with their location, area and population.
The following table gives a quick overview of the world’s smallest countries by geographical area. The exact area figure can vary slightly between sources because of differences in measurement methodology, but the overall ranking remains consistent.
| Rank | Country | Region | Area (Approx.) | Population* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | Europe | 0.49 km² | ~500 |
| 2 | Monaco | Europe | 2.02 km² | ~38,600 |
| 3 | Nauru | Oceania | 21 km² | ~12,000 |
| 4 | Tuvalu | Oceania | 26 km² | ~9,650 |
| 5 | San Marino | Europe | 61 km² | ~33,600 |
| 6 | Liechtenstein | Europe | 160 km² | ~39,900 |
| 7 | Marshall Islands | Oceania | 181 km² | ~37,600 |
| 8 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Caribbean | 261 km² | ~46,900 |
| 9 | Maldives | Asia | 298 km² | ~527,800 |
| 10 | Malta | Europe | 316 km² | ~539,600 |
*Population figures are approximate and can vary according to the source and reference year. The 2026 ranking by area is based on recently published comparative country data.
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world in 2026 by geographical area. Its territory is less than half a square kilometre. The official Vatican information gives its territory as approximately 0.439 km², or about 44 hectares.
Vatican City is a sovereign city-state completely surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome. Despite its tiny territory, it has its own institutions, citizenship rules, postal system, currency arrangements, security forces and internationally recognised sovereignty.
The state was established through the Lateran Treaty of 11 February 1929, under which Italy recognised the sovereignty of Vatican City.
Vatican City holds the number one position among the world’s smallest countries. It is not simply a small geographical territory; it is also one of the world’s most important religious and cultural centres.
The country is the residence of the Pope and contains several globally recognised landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Its official territory is approximately 0.439 km² according to Vatican sources.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Vatican City |
| Rank | 1st smallest |
| Area | About 0.44–0.49 km² |
| Location | Within Rome, Italy |
| Region | Europe |
| Capital | Vatican City |
| Head of State | Pope |
| Currency | Euro |
| Established as a state | 1929 |
| Population | Around 500 in some 2026 estimates |
The Vatican’s official information states that it mints its own coins and issues its own postage stamps, while its monetary unit is the euro.
Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world, with an area of approximately 2.02 km². It is located on the French Riviera in Western Europe and is famous for its luxury tourism, financial services, Mediterranean coastline and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Despite its extremely small size, Monaco has a population of roughly 38,000–39,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Nauru is the world’s third-smallest sovereign country by area, covering approximately 21 km². It is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean and is also the smallest island country by area among sovereign states.
Nauru has a population of around 12,000. Its economy historically depended heavily on phosphate mining, although the country has subsequently sought to diversify its economic activities.
Tuvalu ranks fourth, with a land area of approximately 26 km². It is a Polynesian island nation made up of several low-lying islands and atolls in the Pacific Ocean.
Tuvalu has fewer than 10,000 residents in several recent estimates. Because much of its territory consists of very low-lying islands, climate change and rising sea levels are major concerns for the country.
San Marino is the fifth-smallest country in the world, covering about 61 km². It is a landlocked microstate completely surrounded by Italy.
Despite its small size, San Marino has a long political history and is widely regarded as one of the world’s oldest surviving republics. Its population is approximately 33,000–34,000.
Liechtenstein occupies around 160 km² and ranks sixth among the world’s smallest countries by area. It is situated between Switzerland and Austria in Central Europe.
The country is known for its Alpine landscape, financial sector, manufacturing industry and high standard of living. Its population is approximately 40,000.
The Marshall Islands covers approximately 181 km² and ranks seventh on the list. It is a Pacific island nation made up of numerous atolls and islands.
Although its total land area is small, the country occupies a much larger area of the Pacific Ocean because its islands are widely dispersed. The Marshall Islands has a population of roughly 37,000–38,000.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the eighth-smallest country in the world, with an area of approximately 261 km². It is located in the Caribbean and consists of two main islands.
It is also notable for being the smallest sovereign country in the Americas by area. Tourism is one of the country’s important economic activities, supported by its beaches, tropical climate and natural scenery.
The Maldives ranks ninth among the world’s smallest countries by area, with approximately 298–300 km² of land area. It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of numerous islands and atolls.
The Maldives is internationally famous for luxury tourism, coral reefs and beaches. Although its land area is tiny, its islands are spread across a considerably larger area of ocean.
Malta completes the top 10, with an area of approximately 316 km². It is a Mediterranean island country located south of Italy.
Malta has a population of more than half a million people despite its small geographical area. The country is known for its ancient history, Mediterranean coastline, tourism and strategic location between Europe and North Africa.
| Rank | Country | Area | Continent/Region | Approx. Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | 0.49 km² | Europe | ~500 |
| 2 | Monaco | 2.02 km² | Europe | ~38,600 |
| 3 | Nauru | 21 km² | Oceania | ~12,000 |
| 4 | Tuvalu | 26 km² | Oceania | ~9,650 |
| 5 | San Marino | 61 km² | Europe | ~33,600 |
| 6 | Liechtenstein | 160 km² | Europe | ~39,900 |
| 7 | Marshall Islands | 181 km² | Oceania | ~37,600 |
| 8 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 261 km² | Caribbean | ~46,900 |
| 9 | Maldives | 298 km² | Asia | ~527,800 |
| 10 | Malta | 316 km² | Europe | ~539,600 |
The ranking above follows the commonly used comparison of sovereign countries by total geographical area. Territories such as Gibraltar, Tokelau, Macau and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are not included because they are not independent sovereign countries.
Vatican City is also generally considered the least-populous sovereign state in the world. Recent estimates put its population at roughly 500 people, although population figures vary depending on whether the source counts residents, citizens or uses a particular statistical reference date.
The countries following Vatican City in population include Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and San Marino. Importantly, a country’s ranking by population does not necessarily match its ranking by geographical area.
For example, Monaco is the second-smallest country by area but has a much larger population than Nauru and Tuvalu. This makes Monaco exceptionally densely populated.
| Rank | Country | Approx. Population | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | ~500 | 0.49 km² |
| 2 | Tuvalu | ~9,650 | 26 km² |
| 3 | Nauru | ~12,000 | 21 km² |
| 4 | Palau | ~17,700 | 459 km² |
| 5 | San Marino | ~33,600 | 61 km² |
| 6 | Marshall Islands | ~37,600 | 181 km² |
| 7 | Monaco | ~38,600 | 2.02 km² |
| 8 | Liechtenstein | ~39,900 | 160 km² |
| 9 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | ~46,900 | 261 km² |
| 10 | Dominica | ~66,200 | 750 km² |
Population rankings can differ between sources because national estimates, census data and UN projections may use different reference dates and methodologies.
Vatican City exists as a sovereign state primarily to provide the Holy See with an independent territorial base. Before the creation of the modern Vatican state, relations between the Papacy and the Italian state were complicated by the loss of the Papal States.
The situation was formally resolved through the Lateran Treaty signed on 11 February 1929 between the Holy See and Italy. The treaty established Vatican City as a sovereign state and guaranteed the independence of the Holy See.
No. Vatican City State and the Holy See are related but distinct entities.
The Holy See refers to the Pope and the central governing authority of the Catholic Church. Vatican City, on the other hand, is the sovereign territorial state established in 1929 to provide the Holy See with territorial independence.
The Vatican’s official information specifically distinguishes the two entities while noting their close constitutional relationship.
The answer to “Which is the smallest country in the world in 2026?” is Vatican City. With a territory of roughly 0.44–0.49 km², it is dramatically smaller than the second-ranked country, Monaco, which covers about 2.02 km².
The list of the world’s smallest countries demonstrates that geographical size does not necessarily determine a nation’s cultural, political or economic importance. Vatican City has enormous religious and cultural influence, Monaco is a major luxury and financial centre, while countries such as the Maldives, Malta and Tuvalu have significant tourism, maritime and geopolitical importance.
Q1. Which is the smallest country in the world in 2026?
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by area, covering approximately 0.44–0.49 km². It is also the least-populous sovereign state.
Q2. Which is the second-smallest country in the world?
Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign country by area, with approximately 2.02 km².
Q3. What is the smallest country in the world by population?
Vatican City is also the world’s least-populous sovereign state, with population estimates of around 500 people in recent 2026 datasets.
Q4. Is Vatican City inside Italy?
Vatican City is geographically surrounded by Rome, Italy, but it is an independent sovereign state rather than a part of Italy. Its sovereignty was established through the Lateran Treaty of 1929.
Q5. What is the smallest country in Asia by area?
The Maldives is the smallest Asian sovereign country by total land area in the commonly used country-area rankings, at roughly 298–300 km².
Q6. What is the smallest country in Europe by area?
Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe and in the world by area.
Q7. What is the smallest island country in the world?
Nauru is commonly identified as the world’s smallest island nation by area, with approximately 21 km² of land.
Q8. How many countries are smaller than 100 km²?
There are five sovereign countries below 100 km² in the commonly used area ranking: Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu and San Marino.
Q9. Is Monaco smaller than Vatican City?
No. Vatican City is smaller. Vatican City covers about 0.49 km², compared with approximately 2.02 km² for Monaco.
Q10. Are territories such as Gibraltar included in the smallest-country list?
No. Rankings of sovereign countries generally exclude dependent territories and overseas territories such as Gibraltar, Tokelau and Macau.
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