In November 2022, we – as inhabitants of planet Earth – reached a major milestone. The global population surpassed the 8 billion mark. In other words, our world has become more populated and crowded.
But do you know about the most interesting part? More than 35%, or over a third, of the total population comes from just two countries: China and India. Each of these countries is home to over 1.4 billion people.
Our world’s population is increasing at an enormous rate, and so are the concerns over its negative implications.
However, are you aware that there are still many countries where populations range in hundreds or thousands? Do you know that the least populated country in the world only has merely 500 citizens?
In an age when the population is abundant, and every place is full of crowds, it might not seem easy to imagine a country with five hundred or a few thousand residents. But that doesn’t mean it is not true.
In this blog, we will talk about ten countries with the least number of residents in the world. Read on to learn about the ten least populated countries in the world in 2022.
Vatican City
Population: 510
The Vatican or the Holy See needs no introduction. Besides being the least populous, the center of the Catholic Church and the seat of the Pope is also the smallest country in the world.
Surrounded by Italy on all sides, the Vatican only occupies an area of 0.44 square kilometers. Most of the inhabitants of the Vatican are priests. Approval of the Pope is necessary to become a citizen of this country, which has a density of 1,159 per square kilometer.
The population of the Holy See has lately been on a decline, with a negative growth rate being -1.39%.
Tuvalu
Population: 11,312
The second-least populous country in the world is another island country in the Pacific. The group of nine islands lies over 1100 miles north of Fiji in the region of Oceania. The capital city of Funafuti is one of the six atolls and the most populous city in the country.
The calm waters of Tuvalu are a great place for divers and snorkelers. And the rich marine life offers another reason to explore Tuvalu.
With an area of just 30 square kilometers, it is the fourth-smallest country in the world. The resulting density is not too high, around 377 per square km. And the growth rate is 0.96%.
Nauru
Population: 12,668
Nauro is another country on this list that lies in the Central Pacific Ocean. The country comprises just one island without any capital city. This is mainly due to the small size of the island. Nauru is not just a small country; it is the third-smallest country in the world.
The small island spreads over an area of just 20 square kilometers. This area, together with the 12000+ population, makes the density roughly 633 per square kilometer. Yaren is the city where most of the important buildings lie.
But Arijejen is the most populous settlement in the country, with over 2,300 inhabitants. The growth rate is 1.63%.
Palau
Population: 18,055
The Republic of Palau is an archipelago of 340 islands in Oceania. The city of Ngerulmud is the capital of this island nation. But the most populous city is Koror, with a population of 14,000.
The republic recognizes English and Palauan as official languages. The islands span a total land area of miles or 460 square kilometers.
As a result, the population density becomes 39.34 per square kilometer. The population of Palau has been steadily increasing since 2017. And the current growth rate is 0.24%.
San Marino
Population: 33,660
The country of San Marino lies within the Italian peninsula but is an independent state nevertheless. Most of its population speaks Italian, though Romagnol is a common language.
But the country’s most populous region is Dogana in the municipality of Serravalle, with over 7,000 inhabitants. The country spans an area of over 60 square kilometers and has a density of 561 per sq. km.
Due to migration and other reasons, San Marino’s population has decreased by 0.23% since 2021.
Did you know? The capital city of the country also has the same name: San Marino!
Monaco
Population: 36,469
The Principality of Monaco has many interesting facts. Despite being the sixth smallest country by population, it is the most population-dense country in the world. Can you guess the density? It’s 18054 people per square km!
The reason for this large density is the exceptionally small size of the country. With an area of just 0.78 square miles (2.02 square kilometers), Monaco is the second-smallest country! The country is so small that it doesn’t have any capital.
But the area of Monte-Carlo is a popular attraction, with over 16,000 residents. The growth rate of the country is -0.31%.
Liechtenstein
Population: 39,327
Liechtenstein is a small country in Europe, sandwiched between the countries of Switzerland and Austria. The micronation is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful mountains, medieval castles, and striking natural beauty.
The capital city of Vaduz has a population of around 5,200. But Schaan is the largest city by population, with over 5,700 inhabitants.
With an area of 160 square kilometers, Lichtenstein’s population density is 246 per square km. The country has witnessed a steady growth rate over the past few years, the current rate being 0.74%.
Marshall Islands
Population: 41,569
Coming eighth on our list of the least populated countries in the world are the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific Ocean. They are a chain of five islands and 29 coral atolls, which comprise over 1150 islands and islets.
A great place for travel buffs, the Marshall Islands span an area of 70 square miles (181 square km) across the Pacific.
Despite the low population, the small land area of the country makes the population density 230 per square kilometer. The largest city (by population) is Majuro, which is also the capital city.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Population: 47,657
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a group of two small islands in the Caribbean Sea. The larger of the two islands– Saint Kitts– also has most of the population. The capital city of Basseterre is the largest in terms of population, with nearly 13,000 residents.
The country’s small size makes up for its low population, making the density 182.59 per square kilometer. The place’s population has been declining steadily for the last few years. And due to this, the growth rate is negative: -0.05%.
Greenland
Population: 56,466
The island country of Greenland, which is the greatest island in the world, is among the least populated countries. The country’s low population is mainly due to its location and climate. The capital city of Nuuk is the most populated city, with nearly 16,000 individuals.
Due to its large size and low population, Greenland also has the lowest population density in the world. The population density is merely 0.14 people per square kilometer.
And the growth rate is 0.19%. The birth rate is also one of the lowest; only two children are born daily.
In the end
The population of the world is rising more rapidly than ever and is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. Still, there are places in this world that are rich in anything but people.
The Vatican is not only the least populous country but also the smallest in terms of area. Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world, whereas Monaco is the densest. But what’s interesting is the presence of these extremes on this list.
Clearly, this list is more than just about the least populated countries in the world. Which of these countries seem the most interesting to you? Tell us in the comments.
To enhance your knowledge about what goes around the world, keep visiting The Countdown List.