This Island Nation Has the Smallest Population in the World

24/7 Wall St. Insights

The 30 least populous countries are home to only 6.3 million people.
The majority of the least populated countries are islands.

When traveling abroad, many people head to the most popular cities, which not only attract a lot of tourists but are also home to sizeable populations. These cities are ripe with traffic and large numbers of people. Certain cities, like Shanghai and Tokyo, are so tightly packed with people that just walking through city streets can be stressful. For this reason, life in these areas can be challenging.

The 10 most populous countries alone — a group that includes China, India, and the United States — account for over half of the global population. In stark contrast, the 30 least populous countries are home to only 6.3 million people collectively, roughly equal to the population of the state of Missouri.

Among the countries on this list, population totals range from about 617,000 to fewer than 15,000. These countries span five continents. Using 2022 data from the World Bank, 24/7 Wall St. identified the world’s 30 least populated countries. Supplemental data on population distribution, gross domestic product, GDP per capita, and total fertility rates — or the average number of children women have in their lifetime — are also from the World Bank and are for the latest available year.

The majority of the least populated countries in the world are islands. Of the 30 nations on this list, 22 are island countries, most of which are in warm regions of the world. A total of 17 countries are in the Caribbean or Oceania. Three are African islands, and Iceland in Nordic Europe also makes the list.

Accounting for population size, many countries on this list are relatively wealthy, generating more economic output on a per person basis than much of the rest of the world. In 14 of the least populous countries, GDP per capita exceeds comparable global output of $12,688 per person — and in two of these countries, GDP per capita is well above the $76,330 per capita GDP in the United States.

For most countries on this list, future population growth is unlikely, absent proportional increases in immigration. For any country to maintain its population size — immigration notwithstanding — the average fertility rate should be around 2.1 children per woman. In 17 of the least populous countries, the current fertility rate is below that threshold.

Why It Matters

Many countries with large populations are global economic pillars. While less populous countries have a smaller impact on total world GDP, many punch above their weight — with some generating two or even three times more than the U.S. on a per capita basis annually.

30. Montenegro

Total population in 2022: 617,213
Population distribution: 68.2% urban; 31.8% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $6.2 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $10,093
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime

29. Cabo Verde

Total population in 2022: 593,149
Population distribution: 67.5% urban; 32.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $2.2 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $3,754
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.9 children per woman over lifetime

28. Malta

Total population in 2022: 531,113
Population distribution: 94.9% urban; 5.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $18.1 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $34,128
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.1 children per woman over lifetime

27. Maldives

Total population in 2022: 523,787
Population distribution: 41.5% urban; 58.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $6.2 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $11,781
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.7 children per woman over lifetime

26. Brunei Darussalam

Total population in 2022: 449,002
Population distribution: 78.9% urban; 21.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $16.7 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $37,152
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime

25. The Bahamas

Total population in 2022: 409,984
Population distribution: 83.5% urban; 16.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $12.9 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $31,458
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime

24. Belize

Total population in 2022: 405,272
Population distribution: 46.4% urban; 53.6% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $2.8 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $6,984
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime

23. Iceland

Total population in 2022: 382,003
Population distribution: 94.0% urban; 6.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $28.1 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $73,467
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime

22. Vanuatu

Total population in 2022: 326,740
Population distribution: 25.8% urban; 74.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.1 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $3,231
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.7 children per woman over lifetime

21. Barbados

Total population in 2022: 281,635
Population distribution: 31.3% urban; 68.7% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $5.7 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $20,239
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime

20. Sao Tome and Principe

Total population in 2022: 227,380
Population distribution: 75.8% urban; 24.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $542.7
GDP per capita in 2022: $2,387
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.8 children per woman over lifetime

19. Samoa

Total population in 2022: 222,382
Population distribution: 17.6% urban; 82.4% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $832.9
GDP per capita in 2022: $3,746
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.9 children per woman over lifetime

18. St. Lucia

Total population in 2022: 179,857
Population distribution: 19.1% urban; 81.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $2.3 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $13,031
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime

17. Kiribati

Total population in 2022: 131,232
Population distribution: 57.1% urban; 42.9% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $223.4
GDP per capita in 2022: $1,702
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.3 children per woman over lifetime

16. Grenada

Total population in 2022: 125,438
Population distribution: 36.9% urban; 63.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.2 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $9,689
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime

15. Seychelles

Total population in 2022: 119,878
Population distribution: 58.4% urban; 41.6% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.6 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $13,250
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.5 children per woman over lifetime

14. Micronesia

Total population in 2022: 114,164
Population distribution: 23.2% urban; 76.8% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $424.0
GDP per capita in 2022: $3,714
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.7 children per woman over lifetime

13. Tonga

Total population in 2022: 106,858
Population distribution: 23.1% urban; 76.9% rural
Gross domestic product in 2021: $469.2
GDP per capita in 2021: $4,426
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.2 children per woman over lifetime

12. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Total population in 2022: 103,948
Population distribution: 53.9% urban; 46.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $948.6
GDP per capita in 2022: $9,125
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime

11. Antigua and Barbuda

Total population in 2022: 93,763
Population distribution: 24.3% urban; 75.7% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.9 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $19,920
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime

10. Andorra

Total population in 2022: 79,824
Population distribution: 87.8% urban; 12.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $3.4 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $41,993
Total fertility rate in 2021: N/A

9. Dominica

Total population in 2022: 72,737
Population distribution: 71.7% urban; 28.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $607.4
GDP per capita in 2022: $8,351
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime

8. St. Kitts and Nevis

Total population in 2022: 47,657
Population distribution: 31.0% urban; 69.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $965.6 million
GDP per capita in 2022: $20,262
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime

7. Marshall Islands

Total population in 2022: 41,569
Population distribution: 78.5% urban; 21.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $258.8
GDP per capita in 2022: $6,225
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.7 children per woman over lifetime

6. Liechtenstein

Total population in 2022: 39,327
Population distribution: 14.5% urban; 85.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2021: $7.7 billion
GDP per capita in 2021: $197,505
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime

5. Monaco

Total population in 2022: 36,469
Population distribution: 100.0% urban; 0.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $8.8 billion
GDP per capita in 2022: $240,862
Total fertility rate in 2021: N/A

4. San Marino

Total population in 2022: 33,660
Population distribution: 97.7% urban; 2.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2021: $1.9 billion
GDP per capita in 2021: $54,982
Total fertility rate in 2021: N/A

3. Palau

Total population in 2022: 18,055
Population distribution: 82.0% urban; 18.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2021: $232.9
GDP per capita in 2021: $12,922
Total fertility rate in 2020: Avg. of 0.9 children per woman over lifetime

2. Nauru

Total population in 2022: 12,668
Population distribution: 100.0% urban; 0.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $151.6
GDP per capita in 2022: $11,971
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.5 children per woman over lifetime

1. Tuvalu

Total population in 2022: 11,312
Population distribution: 65.5% urban; 34.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $59.1
GDP per capita in 2022: $5,222
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.2 children per woman over lifetime

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