Commonwealth

Fifty-Three Nations

Fifty-three nations, one symbolic head, King Charles III

Spread over every continent, with a population of 1.6 billion people which is 30 per cent of the world population. There are 53 current member countries of the Commonwealth. These are listed below. All recognise His Majesty King Charles III as the visible symbol of the free association of nations and, as such, as Head of The Commonwealth.

Among other things, His Majesty attends the biennial Commonwealth summits, or CHOGMs, and the Commonwealth Games which are held every four years.

At the Edinburgh summit in 1997, for the first time, the late Queen Elizabeth II addressed the opening ceremony. On every Commonwealth Day a special message from The Queen has been broadcast in all member countries. The late Queen visited Commonwealth countries throughout the world.

Flags of the members of the Commonwealth in Parliament Square

Flags of the members of the Commonwealth in Parliament Square

The position of Head implies no executive or constitutional power. Although The late Queen attended Commonwealth summits, and met Heads of Government there individually, she took no part in the working sessions of the meetings. The Queen's dedication to the Commonwealth and her steadying influence were widely appreciated. In 2002, the celebrations of her Golden Jubilee drew messages of appreciation from Heads of Government and ordinary people alike. Some recalled her unifying influence in the Commonwealth at times of crisis, others her unfailing enthusiasm when visiting Commonwealth countries. In a Jubilee-year article, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "I wouldn't like to speculate where the Commonwealth would be without Her Majesty's 50 years of unstinting support and guidance". And the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Anyaoku added: "She has been more than a 'visible symbol' of a free association of nations – she has soothed its tempers, bound its wounds, encouraged its growth and, at certain times and in her own way, steeled its resolve. For her guidance and unwavering commitment, we are deeply in her debt."

Information above from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Royal Commonwealth Society.

  • Antigua and Barbuda
    Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
    Australia
  • Bahamas
    Bahamas
  • Bangladesh
    Bangladesh
  • Barbados
    Barbados
  • Belize
    Belize
  • Botswana
    Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
    Brunei Darussalam
  • Cameroon
    Cameroon
  • Canada
    Canada
  • Cyprus
    Cyprus
  • Dominica
    Dominica
  • Eswatini
    Eswatini
  • Fiji
    Fiji
  • Gambia
    Gambia
  • Ghana
    Ghana
  • Grenada
    Grenada
  • Guyana
    Guyana
  • India
    India
  • Jamaica
    Jamaica
  • Kenya
    Kenya
  • Kiribati
    Kiribati
  • Lesotho
    Lesotho
  • Malawi
    Malawi
  • Malaysia
    Malaysia
  • Maldives
    Maldives
  • Malta
    Malta
  • Mauritius
    Mauritius
  • Mozambique
    Mozambique
  • Namibia
    Namibia
  • Nauru
    Nauru
  • New Zealand
    New Zealand
  • Nigeria
    Nigeria
  • Pakistan
    Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
    Papua New Guinea
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
    Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
    Samoa
  • Seychelles
    Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
    Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
    Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
    Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
    South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
    Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
    Tanzania
  • Tonga
    Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
    Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
    Tuvalu
  • Uganda
    Uganda
  • United Kingdom
    United Kingdom
  • Vanuatu
    Vanuatu
  • Zambia
    Zambia