A monarchy is a state whose head of state holds the position by heredity or, in a couple of cases, by election among a royal class, usually for life. About 43 sovereign states are monarchies today, and they fall into distinct types.
The Commonwealth realms — one king, 15 countries
Fifteen countries share the British monarch as their head of state, represented locally by a governor-general: the United Kingdom, plus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Several have active movements to become republics; Barbados did so in 2021.
Europe's other monarchies
Constitutional monarchies where the monarch is a ceremonial head of state: Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg (a Grand Duchy), Liechtenstein and Monaco (both principalities). Andorra is a co-principality with two heads of state — the President of France and a Spanish bishop.
Asia and the Middle East
- Constitutional: Japan (the Emperor, the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy), Thailand, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia (elective — see below).
- Absolute or near-absolute: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (a federation of seven emirates), Kuwait, Bahrain, Brunei, and Eswatini in Africa.
The elective monarchies
Two countries choose their monarch by election. In Malaysia, the nine hereditary state rulers elect one of their number as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ("Supreme Ruler") for a five-year term, rotating in practice. Vatican City is also an elective monarchy — the College of Cardinals elects the Pope, who then holds absolute authority for life. Cambodia's throne is technically elective among eligible princes, chosen by a royal council.
Africa's monarchies
Eswatini is an absolute monarchy — the King (currently Mswati III) rules alongside the Queen Mother. Lesotho and Morocco are constitutional monarchies, though the King of Morocco retains extensive executive power.
Every country page notes the form of government alongside its capital, population and other facts.
Country fact pages →