Oldest Countries in the World — Ranked (and Why It Depends on the Definition)

The oldest countries in the world are typically cited as Egypt (unified ~3100 BC), China (Xia Dynasty ~2070 BC), Japan (traditional founding 660 BC), Ethiopia (Kingdom of D'mt ~980 BC), and Iran/Persia (Achaemenid Empire ~550 BC). But the answer depends on what you mean by "oldest" — civilizational continuity, oldest monarchy (Japan, since at least the 6th century AD), oldest republic (San Marino, AD 301), or oldest fixed borders (Portugal, AD 1297).

"Oldest country" — four different definitions, four different answers

• Oldest continuous civilization: Egypt (~3100 BC), then China (~2070 BC), then Iran (Elamite ~3200 BC, Achaemenid 550 BC).
• Oldest hereditary monarchy: Japan — the imperial line is unbroken since at least the 6th century AD, the longest-ruling dynasty in any country today.
• Oldest republic: San Marino, traditionally founded 3 September AD 301; its 1600 constitution is the world's oldest still in effect.
• Oldest fixed borders: Portugal, whose modern borders date to 1297 (Treaty of Alcañices), making them the oldest continuous national borders in Europe.

Most sources lead with Egypt or China when answering this question because civilizational continuity is the most popular interpretation. But all four answers are defensible and each appears in serious historiography.

Quick reference table

Complete Rankings

1. Egypt — Unified ~3100 BC (~5,100 years)

Egypt is often cited as the world's oldest country, with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Pharaoh Narmer around 3100 BC marking the beginning of one of humanity's oldest continuous civilizations. Ancient Egypt built the pyramids, invented hieroglyphic writing, and developed sophisticated agricultural, architectural, and medical knowledge that influenced civilizations for millennia. Modern Egypt traces its national identity directly to this ancient heritage.

2. China — Xia Dynasty ~2070 BC (~4,000 years)

China's recorded history begins with the Xia Dynasty around 2070 BC, though archaeological evidence of Chinese civilization extends further. China has maintained a remarkably continuous cultural identity through numerous dynasties, invasions, and revolutions. The current People's Republic (est. 1949) is the latest in an unbroken line of Chinese states spanning four millennia.

3. Japan — Traditional founding 660 BC

Japan's traditional founding date of 660 BC, when Emperor Jimmu allegedly established the imperial line, makes it one of the world's oldest nations. While the historical accuracy of early emperors is debated, the Japanese imperial dynasty is the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy. Japan's recorded history begins reliably in the 5th-6th century AD, still making it exceptionally ancient.

4. Ethiopia — Kingdom of Aksum ~100 AD; D'mt ~980 BC

Ethiopia has one of the oldest documented civilizations in Africa, with the D'mt kingdom dating to around 980 BC and the Kingdom of Aksum (100 AD-940 AD) becoming one of the ancient world's great powers. Ethiopia is one of only two African countries never colonized by a European power (the other being Liberia). The Ethiopian calendar is 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.

5. Iran (Persia) — Achaemenid Empire ~550 BC

Iran's national identity traces to the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 BC. The Persian Empire was the world's first superpower, stretching from Egypt to India. Iranian civilization, including the Elamite period, extends back to around 3200 BC. Despite conquests by Alexander, Arabs, Mongols, and others, Iran has maintained a continuous cultural identity.

6. Greece — City-states ~800 BC; Mycenaean ~1600 BC

Greek civilization dates to the Mycenaean period around 1600 BC, with the classical city-states emerging around 800 BC. Ancient Greece invented democracy, philosophy, Western theater, and the Olympic Games. Modern Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, directly linking its national identity to its ancient heritage.

7. India — Indus Valley ~3300 BC; Maurya Empire ~322 BC

Indian civilization dates to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3300 BC, one of the world's earliest urban civilizations. The Maurya Empire (322 BC) was the first to unite most of the Indian subcontinent. Modern India as a nation-state dates to 1947, but Indian cultural and civilizational continuity spans over 5,000 years.

8. San Marino — Founded 301 AD

San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic, founded on September 3, 301 AD by Saint Marinus. This tiny enclave within Italy has maintained its independence through careful diplomacy and mountainous terrain. San Marino's constitution, dating to 1600, is the world's oldest written constitution still in effect.

9. France — Frankish Kingdom ~481 AD

France traces its origin to the Frankish Kingdom established by Clovis I around 481 AD. The Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) created West Francia, the direct predecessor of modern France. France has been a continuous political entity for over 1,500 years, though its form of government has changed multiple times.

10. Portugal — Kingdom established 1139

Portugal declared independence from the Kingdom of Leon in 1139 under King Afonso Henriques, making it one of Europe's oldest established nation-states with continuous borders. Portugal's borders have remained essentially unchanged since 1297, the oldest fixed borders in Europe.

11. Armenia — Kingdom of Urartu ~860 BC

Armenia traces its history to the Kingdom of Urartu around 860 BC. In 301 AD, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Modern Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

12. Denmark — Viking Age monarchy ~936 AD

Denmark's monarchy dates to Gorm the Old around 936 AD, making it one of the oldest continuous monarchies in the world. The Danish crown has been continuous since the 10th century, and Denmark has been a recognizable political entity for over 1,000 years.

Frequently asked questions

What is the oldest country in the world?

By the most common definition — continuous civilization — Egypt is usually cited first, with national unification under Pharaoh Narmer around 3100 BC. China is a close second with the Xia Dynasty around 2070 BC. By "oldest republic," the answer is San Marino (AD 301). By "oldest current monarchy," it is Japan. By "oldest fixed borders," it is Portugal (1297).

Is Egypt or China older?

Egypt was unified into a single state earlier — Narmer's unification of Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 BC predates the Xia Dynasty (~2070 BC) by about 1,000 years. Both have survived as continuous civilizations to the present, with periods of foreign rule along the way.

Why is San Marino considered the oldest country?

It depends what you mean by "oldest." San Marino, founded by Saint Marinus on 3 September AD 301, is the oldest continuously existing republic in the world. Its constitution, written in 1600, is the world's oldest written constitution still in effect. It is "older" than Egypt or China only in the sense that it has had the same form of government longer than they have.

Is Ethiopia the oldest country in Africa?

Yes, by most measures. Ethiopia traces back to the Kingdom of D'mt around 980 BC and the Kingdom of Aksum (~100–940 AD). It is also one of only two African countries never colonized by a European power (the other being Liberia, founded in 1847). Egypt is older as a civilization, but modern Egypt has been controlled by foreign powers for long stretches; Ethiopia maintained sovereignty.

What is the oldest monarchy in the world?

Japan, by a wide margin. The Japanese imperial line is traditionally dated to 660 BC (the legendary Emperor Jimmu); historically reliable records begin in the 6th century AD. Either way, no other current monarchy comes close.

What country has the oldest borders?

Portugal, whose mainland borders have been essentially unchanged since the Treaty of Alcañices in 1297. Andorra has equally old borders (1278). For comparison, France, Spain, Germany, and most other European countries have had major border changes within the past 200 years.

Is the United States one of the oldest countries?

No — but the U.S. Constitution (1788) is among the oldest written national constitutions still in effect, second only to San Marino's. The U.S. as an independent country dates to 1776, putting it among the older countries in the Americas (only Haiti, 1804, is comparably old in the region) but very young by global standards.

What about Greece — wasn't ancient Greek civilization much older?

Yes. Greek civilization dates to the Mycenaean period (~1600 BC) and the classical city-states (~800 BC). Modern Greece, however, only gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832, making it a young nation-state with extremely deep cultural roots. The same caveat applies to India (modern republic since 1947) and many other "ancient" cultures: the civilization is ancient, the modern state is recent.

Bottom line

"Oldest country" doesn't have a single answer — it has four. Civilizationally: Egypt, then China, then Iran/India. Oldest monarchy: Japan, by far. Oldest republic: San Marino since AD 301. Oldest fixed borders: Portugal since 1297. What ties the list together is something deeper than dates on a map: each of these places has carried a recognizable cultural identity through millennia of wars, invasions, dynastic changes, and political reinvention.