What Is the Oldest Country in the World? Top 10 Candidates Explained

San Marino, founded in 301 AD, is widely considered the oldest country in the world based on continuous sovereignty and constitutional government. However, Japan, China, Ethiopia, and Egypt also have strong claims depending on whether you measure by continuous civilization, oldest monarchy, or earliest statehood.

Why the Answer Depends on Definition

The question "what is the oldest country in the world?" has no single correct answer because it depends on what you mean by "country" and "oldest." Are you asking about the oldest continuous government? The oldest civilization? The longest-surviving monarchy? The earliest sovereign state? Each definition produces a different answer. This guide examines the top contenders under different criteria.

Top 10 Oldest Countries by Different Criteria

San Marino -- Oldest Continuous Sovereign State (301 AD)

San Marino is a microstate of just 61 km2 entirely surrounded by Italy. According to tradition, it was founded on September 3, 301 AD, by Saint Marinus, a Christian stonemason fleeing religious persecution. San Marino has maintained its independence continuously ever since, surviving the rise and fall of empires, the unification of Italy, and two world wars. Its constitution, dating from 1600, is the world's oldest written constitutional document still in effect. San Marino is governed by two Captains Regent who serve six-month terms, a system in place since 1243.

Japan -- Oldest Continuous Monarchy (660 BC / ~500 AD)

Japan's imperial dynasty claims an unbroken lineage from Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC, making it the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. However, the 660 BC date is considered mythological by historians. Verifiable historical records confirm the imperial line from approximately the 5th-6th century AD. Regardless of the exact start date, the Japanese imperial family has maintained an unbroken succession for at least 1,500 years and up to 2,600 years by traditional accounts. Japan as a unified political entity dates from at least the 7th century AD.

China -- Oldest Continuous Civilization (~2070 BC)

China's civilization is one of the oldest in the world, with the semi-legendary Xia Dynasty dating to approximately 2070 BC and the historically verified Shang Dynasty to around 1600 BC. China has maintained a continuous cultural and civilizational identity through numerous dynasties, invasions, and political transformations. However, the modern People's Republic of China was established in 1949, and the political system has changed dramatically many times. If "oldest country" means oldest continuous civilization in roughly the same geographic area, China is a top contender.

Ethiopia -- One of the Oldest Independent Nations (~980 BC)

Ethiopia traces its roots to the Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum), which was one of the great powers of the ancient world. The Aksumite Empire flourished from around 80 BC to 960 AD, and Ethiopia maintained sovereignty through the medieval and modern periods. Notably, Ethiopia was never colonized by a European power (Italy occupied it briefly from 1936-1941, but this is generally regarded as an occupation, not colonization). Ethiopia's Solomonic Dynasty claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, ruling from 1270 until the monarchy was abolished in 1975.

Egypt -- Oldest Known Civilization (~3100 BC)

Egypt's history of unified statehood stretches back to approximately 3100 BC when Upper and Lower Egypt were united under the first pharaoh, Narmer (or Menes). Ancient Egypt produced one of the world's most enduring civilizations, lasting roughly 3,000 years. However, Egypt was subsequently ruled by Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and the British before achieving full independence in 1952-1953. If "oldest country" means earliest known sovereign state in a specific territory, Egypt wins. If it means continuous sovereignty, Egypt's claim is weaker.

Other Notable Contenders

• Iran (550 BC): The Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great was the first Persian empire and one of the largest empires in ancient history. Persian/Iranian identity has survived continuously despite changes in government, from monarchies to the current Islamic Republic (1979).
• Greece (800 BC): Ancient Greek city-states created the foundations of Western democracy, philosophy, and science. However, modern Greece was established in 1821-1832 after centuries of Ottoman rule.
• India (2500 BC): The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world's earliest urban cultures. The modern Republic of India was established in 1947.
• France (843 AD): The Treaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian Empire and created the precursor to modern France. France has undergone five republics, two empires, and a monarchy restoration since then.
• Portugal (1143 AD): Portugal's borders have remained essentially unchanged since the 13th century, making it the oldest nation-state in Europe with stable boundaries.

Key Facts

• San Marino (301 AD) is the oldest country by continuous sovereignty and constitutional government.
• Japan has the oldest continuous monarchy, with the imperial line dating to at least the 5th century AD.
• Egypt has the earliest known state formation, around 3100 BC.
• China has one of the oldest continuous civilizations, dating to roughly 2070 BC.
• Ethiopia is one of the oldest continuously independent nations, never formally colonized.
• Portugal has the oldest stable borders of any European nation-state (since the 13th century).

Fun Facts

• San Marino's entire population is about 33,000 -- smaller than many towns, yet it has been independent for over 1,700 years.
• Japan's Emperor Naruhito is the 126th emperor in an unbroken line that traditional history traces to 660 BC.
• Ethiopia has its own calendar, which is 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar and has 13 months.
• Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza was already 2,000 years old when the Roman Empire was at its peak.
• San Marino's constitution from 1600 predates the US Constitution by nearly 200 years.