The Commonwealth

The world’s largest and smallest, richest and poorest countries make up the Commonwealth, which is home to two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities – over half of whom are 25 or under. Member countries span six continents and oceans from Africa (19) to Asia (8), the Americas (2), the Caribbean (12), Europe (3) and the South Pacific (10).

The Commonwealth, with roots as far back as the 1870's, believes in establishing partnerships  between governments, business and civil society to build stronger democratic institutions and procedures. This unique association was reconstituted in 1949 when Commonwealth Prime Ministers met and adopted what has become known as the ‘London Declaration’ where it was agreed all member countries would be “freely and equally associated.”

The Commonwealth has grown from just eight members in 1949, to 54 members in 2010*.

Commonwealth Nations Interactive Map

All information contained on this map has been taken from the Commonwealth Secretariat website which  is the authoritative source for up to date information on the Commonwealth.

*Please note: Following the decisions taken by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on 31 July 2009, Fiji Islands was suspended from membership of the Commonwealth on 1 September 2009.