The World Bank Group defines small states as ‘as countries that . . .have a population
of 1.5 million or less. . .’.1 Of the world’s 195 commonly recognised sovereign
states, 40 countries, or 21% of the total number of states, come within this
definition.2 Small states can be found in all corners of the world. However, most
small states are found in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the African Indian Ocean.
Reflecting their global distribution, they are diverse in culture, geography, history,
land area, levels of income, and economy. The majority of small states are island
states. Some are isolated; others are landlocked or neighbours of much larger states.
Many of them have been under colonial rule and have transplanted or mixed legal
systems that reflect their colonial experience and heritage. A few are high-income
countries; however, the majority are middle- or low-income countries. Some have
fragile governance and are conflict-affected; others have lived under stable rule for
centuries. Some small states are commodity exporters, while others have service
and tourism-based economies.