All the Countries Of The World From Oldest To Youngest

The video above builds up the world based on countries’ ages from the oldest to the youngest. Below you can find the full list with the rational:

Egypt (3,100 BC): Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Narmer; conventional start of the Egyptian state. Other possible years: 1922 (independence from UK); 1953 (republic); 1971 (current name/constitution)
Ethiopia (980 BC): Traditional founding of D'mt / Solomonic dynasty origin story per Ethiopian tradition. Other possible years: 100 (Aksum); 1270 (Solomonic restoration); 1855 (Tewodros II modern state); 1995 (federal republic)
Japan (660 BC): Traditional accession of Emperor Jimmu (National Foundation Day, 11 Feb). Other possible years: 538 (Asuka period, first historical state); 1868 (Meiji Restoration); 1947 (current constitution)
Iran (550 BC): Cyrus the Great founds the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian state. Other possible years: 224 (Sasanian); 1501 (Safavid unification); 1925 (Pahlavi); 1979 (Islamic Republic)
China (221 BC): Qin unification, first unified Chinese imperial state. Other possible years: -1600 (Shang, first archaeological dynasty); 1912 (Republic); 1949 (PRC)
San Marino (AD 301): Traditional founding by St Marinus on 3 Sept 301; oldest surviving republic. Other possible years: 1243 (first Captains Regent); 1600 (statutes still in force)
France (AD 843): Treaty of Verdun creates West Francia, the direct ancestor of France. Other possible years: 481 (Clovis, Frankish kingdom); 987 (Capetian dynasty); 1792 (First Republic); 1958 (Fifth Republic)
Russia (AD 862): Rurik invited to rule Novgorod (traditional founding of the Rus' state). Other possible years: 882 (Kievan Rus'); 1283 (Grand Duchy of Moscow); 1547 (Tsardom); 1721 (Empire); 1991 (Russian Federation)
Norway (AD 872): Harald Fairhair unifies Norway after the Battle of Hafrsfjord (traditional date). Other possible years: 1814 (constitution, Eidsvoll); 1905 (independence from Sweden)
Denmark (AD 965): Harald Bluetooth unifies and Christianises Denmark (Jelling stones); oldest continuous monarchy in Europe by this count. Other possible years: 800s (Gorm the Old); 1849 (constitutional monarchy)
Poland (AD 966): Baptism of Mieszko I, conventional founding of the Polish state. Other possible years: 1025 (first king, Bolesław); 1918 (Second Republic, independence); 1989 (Third Republic)
Austria (AD 976): Babenberg margraviate of Austria established (name first recorded 996). Other possible years: 1156 (duchy); 1804 (Austrian Empire); 1918 (republic); 1955 (full sovereignty restored)
Hungary (1000): Coronation of St Stephen I, founding of the Kingdom of Hungary. Other possible years: 895 (Magyar conquest); 1918 (independence from Austria-Hungary); 1989 (Third Republic)
Portugal (1143): Treaty of Zamora, Afonso I recognised as king; oldest fixed borders in Europe. Other possible years: 1139 (Afonso proclaims himself king); 1640 (restoration from Spain); 1910 (republic)
Thailand (1238): Founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom, first Thai state. Other possible years: 1351 (Ayutthaya); 1782 (Chakri dynasty, Bangkok); 1932 (constitutional monarchy); never colonised
Andorra (1278): Paréage treaty establishes the co-principality. Other possible years: 1993 (first constitution, UN membership)
Switzerland (1291): Federal Charter of the three forest cantons (traditional 1 Aug). Other possible years: 1648 (independence recognised, Westphalia); 1848 (federal state)
Monaco (1419): Grimaldi family gain permanent sovereignty over the Rock. Other possible years: 1297 (Grimaldi seize Monaco); 1861 (Franco-Monegasque treaty confirms sovereignty)
Spain (1492): Fall of Granada completes the Reconquista under the united crowns of Castile and Aragon. Other possible years: 1479 (union of crowns); 1516 (single monarch); 1715 (Nueva Planta, unitary state); 1978 (constitution)
Sweden (1523): Gustav Vasa elected king, Sweden leaves the Kalmar Union (National Day 6 June). Other possible years: 970s (Eric the Victorious); 1809 (constitution)
Netherlands (1581): Act of Abjuration, the provinces renounce Philip II. Other possible years: 1568 (start of revolt); 1648 (recognised, Westphalia); 1815 (kingdom)
Oman (1650): Expulsion of the Portuguese from Muscat; continuous Omani state since. Other possible years: 1744 (Al Said dynasty); 1970 (Qaboos modernises, current name)
United Kingdom (1707): Acts of Union create the Kingdom of Great Britain. Other possible years: 927 (England unified); 1066; 1801 (union with Ireland); 1922 (current UK after Irish independence)
Nepal (1768): Prithvi Narayan Shah unifies Nepal, conquering Kathmandu. Other possible years: 2008 (republic)
United States (1776): Declaration of Independence, 4 July. Other possible years: 1783 (Treaty of Paris, recognised); 1788 (constitution ratified)
Haiti (1804): Declaration of independence from France, 1 Jan; first Black republic. Other possible years: 1825 (recognised by France)
Liechtenstein (1806): Becomes a sovereign state on joining the Confederation of the Rhine. Other possible years: 1719 (principality created within the Holy Roman Empire); 1866 (full independence after German Confederation dissolves)
Chile (1810): First Government Junta, 18 Sept (national day). Other possible years: 1818 (declaration of independence)
Colombia (1810): Declaration of independence in Bogotá, 20 July (national day). Other possible years: 1819 (Gran Colombia); 1831 (Republic of New Granada); 1886 (current name)
Paraguay (1811): Independence from Spain, 14-15 May. Other possible years: 1842 (formally declared)
Venezuela (1811): Declaration of independence, 5 July. Other possible years: 1810 (19 April junta); 1830 (separation from Gran Colombia)
Argentina (1816): Declaration of independence at Tucumán, 9 July. Other possible years: 1810 (May Revolution, national day); 1853 (constitution)
Costa Rica (1821): Independence of Central America from Spain, 15 Sept. Other possible years: 1838 (leaves Federal Republic of Central America); 1848 (republic declared)
El Salvador (1821): Independence of Central America from Spain, 15 Sept. Other possible years: 1841 (leaves Central American federation)
Guatemala (1821): Independence of Central America from Spain, 15 Sept. Other possible years: 1839/1847 (leaves federation, republic declared)
Honduras (1821): Independence of Central America from Spain, 15 Sept. Other possible years: 1838 (leaves federation)
Mexico (1821): Independence achieved, Treaty of Córdoba, 27 Sept. Other possible years: 1810 (Grito de Dolores, national day); 1824 (federal republic)
Nicaragua (1821): Independence of Central America from Spain, 15 Sept. Other possible years: 1838 (leaves federation)
Peru (1821): San Martín proclaims independence, 28 July. Other possible years: 1824 (Ayacucho, Spanish defeated)
Brazil (1822): Pedro I proclaims independence from Portugal, 7 Sept. Other possible years: 1825 (recognised); 1889 (republic)
Bolivia (1825): Independence declared, 6 Aug.
Uruguay (1828): Treaty of Montevideo, independence from Brazil and Argentina. Other possible years: 1825 (declaration, national day 25 Aug)
Belgium (1830): Belgian Revolution, independence declared 4 Oct. Other possible years: 1831 (Leopold I, constitution); 1839 (recognised by Netherlands)
Ecuador (1830): Separates from Gran Colombia. Other possible years: 1809 (first junta, national day 10 Aug); 1822 (independence from Spain)
Greece (1830): London Protocol recognises independent Greece. Other possible years: 1821 (declaration, national day 25 March); 1832 (kingdom)
Luxembourg (1839): Treaty of London fixes current borders and autonomy. Other possible years: 963 (county founded); 1815 (grand duchy); 1867 (neutrality, full independence); 1890 (personal union with NL ends)
Dominican Republic (1844): Independence from Haiti, 27 Feb. Other possible years: 1821 (first independence from Spain); 1865 (restoration from Spain)
Liberia (1847): Declaration of independence, 26 July. Other possible years: 1822 (first settlement)
Italy (1861): Kingdom of Italy proclaimed, 17 March. Other possible years: 1870 (Rome captured); 1946 (republic)
Canada (1867): Confederation, British North America Act, 1 July. Other possible years: 1931 (Statute of Westminster); 1982 (patriation of constitution)
Germany (1871): German Empire proclaimed, 18 Jan. Other possible years: 843/962 (East Francia / Holy Roman Empire); 1949 (Federal Republic); 1990 (reunification, national day 3 Oct)
Romania (1877): Declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire, 9/10 May. Other possible years: 1859 (union of Wallachia and Moldavia); 1878 (recognised); 1918 (Greater Romania)
Serbia (1878): Independence recognised at the Congress of Berlin. Other possible years: 1217 (medieval kingdom); 1804/1815 (uprisings, autonomy); 1882 (kingdom); 2006 (current independent state)
Australia (1901): Federation, 1 Jan. Other possible years: 1788 (first settlement); 1942/1986 (legislative independence)
Cuba (1902): Independence, end of US occupation, 20 May. Other possible years: 1868/1895 (wars of independence); 1898 (Spain cedes); 1959 (revolution)
Panama (1903): Separation from Colombia, 3 Nov. Other possible years: 1821 (independence from Spain, 28 Nov)
Bhutan (1907): Wangchuck monarchy established, 17 Dec (national day). Other possible years: 1616/1634 (Zhabdrung unifies Bhutan); 1949 (treaty with India); 2008 (constitutional monarchy)
New Zealand (1907): Dominion status, 26 Sept. Other possible years: 1840 (Treaty of Waitangi, national day 6 Feb); 1947 (Statute of Westminster adopted)
Bulgaria (1908): Declaration of full independence from the Ottoman Empire. Other possible years: 681 (First Bulgarian Empire); 1878 (autonomous principality, national day 3 March)
South Africa (1910): Union of South Africa formed, 31 May. Other possible years: 1931 (Statute of Westminster); 1961 (republic); 1994 (democratic state, Freedom Day 27 April)
Mongolia (1911): Declaration of independence from Qing China, 29 Dec. Other possible years: 1206 (Genghis Khan unifies Mongols); 1921 (revolution, national day 11 July); 1924 (republic); 1992 (democratic constitution)
Albania (1912): Declaration of independence, 28 Nov. Other possible years: 1913 (recognised); 1944 (liberation)
Finland (1917): Declaration of independence from Russia, 6 Dec. Other possible years: 1809 (autonomous grand duchy)
Estonia (1918): Declaration of independence, 24 Feb. Other possible years: 1920 (Treaty of Tartu); 1991 (restoration, 20 Aug)
Latvia (1918): Proclamation of independence, 18 Nov. Other possible years: 1920 (recognised); 1990/1991 (restoration)
Lithuania (1918): Act of Independence, 16 Feb. Other possible years: 1253 (Mindaugas crowned); 1990 (restoration, 11 March)
Afghanistan (1919): Treaty of Rawalpindi, independence from British control of foreign affairs, 19 Aug. Other possible years: 1747 (Durrani Empire, Ahmad Shah); 1973 (republic)
Ireland (1922): Irish Free State established, 6 Dec. Other possible years: 1916 (Easter Rising); 1919 (Dáil declaration); 1937 (constitution); 1949 (republic)
Turkey (1923): Republic proclaimed, 29 Oct. Other possible years: 1299 (Ottoman founding); 1920 (Grand National Assembly)
Vatican City (1929): Lateran Treaty creates Vatican City State, 11 Feb. Other possible years: 756 (Papal States)
Iraq (1932): Independence from British mandate, 3 Oct. Other possible years: 1921 (kingdom under mandate); 1958 (republic)
Saudi Arabia (1932): Unification as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 23 Sept. Other possible years: 1744 (First Saudi State); 1902 (Ibn Saud takes Riyadh)
Lebanon (1943): Independence from France, 22 Nov. Other possible years: 1920 (Greater Lebanon created); 1946 (French troops leave)
Iceland (1944): Republic founded, 17 June. Other possible years: 930 (Althing); 1918 (sovereign kingdom in union with Denmark)
Indonesia (1945): Proclamation of independence, 17 Aug. Other possible years: 1949 (Dutch recognition)
Vietnam (1945): Declaration of independence, 2 Sept. Other possible years: -2879 (legendary Hồng Bàng); 938 (independence from China); 1954 (Geneva); 1976 (reunification)
Jordan (1946): Independence from British mandate, 25 May. Other possible years: 1921 (Emirate of Transjordan)
Philippines (1946): Independence from the United States, 4 July. Other possible years: 1898 (declaration, national day 12 June); 1935 (Commonwealth)
Syria (1946): French troops leave, 17 April (Evacuation Day). Other possible years: 1920 (Arab Kingdom of Syria); 1944 (de jure independence)
India (1947): Independence from Britain, 15 Aug. Other possible years: 1950 (republic, 26 Jan)
Pakistan (1947): Independence from Britain, 14 Aug. Other possible years: 1956 (republic)
Israel (1948): Declaration of independence, 14 May.
Myanmar (1948): Independence from Britain, 4 Jan. Other possible years: 849 (Pagan); 1044 (Anawrahta unifies)
North Korea (1948): DPRK founded, 9 Sept. Other possible years: -2333 (legendary Gojoseon); 1945 (liberation)
South Korea (1948): Republic of Korea founded, 15 Aug. Other possible years: -2333 (legendary Gojoseon, Gaecheonjeol); 1919 (Provisional Government); 1945 (liberation)
Sri Lanka (1948): Independence from Britain, 4 Feb. Other possible years: 1972 (republic, current name)
Laos (1949): Independence within the French Union, 19 July. Other possible years: 1353 (Lan Xang); 1953 (full independence); 1975 (Lao PDR)
Taiwan (1949): ROC government relocates to Taiwan, 7 Dec; Taiwan-based state since. Other possible years: 1912 (Republic of China founded, national day 10 Oct); 1945 (retrocession)
Libya (1951): Independence, 24 Dec. Other possible years: 1969 (revolution); 2011
Cambodia (1953): Independence from France, 9 Nov. Other possible years: 802 (Khmer Empire); 1993 (constitutional monarchy restored)
Morocco (1956): Independence from France (and Spain), 2 March. Other possible years: 788 (Idrisid dynasty); 1666 (Alaouite dynasty); national day 18 Nov (1955 return of Mohammed V)
Sudan (1956): Independence from Britain and Egypt, 1 Jan.
Tunisia (1956): Independence from France, 20 March. Other possible years: 1957 (republic)
Ghana (1957): Independence from Britain, 6 March. Other possible years: 1960 (republic)
Malaysia (1957): Independence of Malaya, 31 Aug (Merdeka). Other possible years: 1963 (Malaysia formed, 16 Sept)
Guinea (1958): Independence from France, 2 Oct.
Benin (1960): Independence from France, 1 Aug. Other possible years: 1975 (renamed from Dahomey)
Burkina Faso (1960): Independence from France, 5 Aug. Other possible years: 1984 (renamed from Upper Volta)
Cameroon (1960): Independence from France, 1 Jan. Other possible years: 1961 (union with British Southern Cameroons)
Central African Republic (1960): Independence from France, 13 Aug.
Chad (1960): Independence from France, 11 Aug.
Cyprus (1960): Independence from Britain, 16 Aug (celebrated 1 Oct).
DR Congo (1960): Independence from Belgium, 30 June. Other possible years: 1997 (current name)
Gabon (1960): Independence from France, 17 Aug.
Ivory Coast (1960): Independence from France, 7 Aug.
Madagascar (1960): Independence from France, 26 June. Other possible years: 1810s (Merina kingdom unifies island)
Mali (1960): Independence from France, 22 Sept (Mali Federation dissolves). Other possible years: 1230s (Mali Empire)
Mauritania (1960): Independence from France, 28 Nov.
Niger (1960): Independence from France, 3 Aug.
Nigeria (1960): Independence from Britain, 1 Oct. Other possible years: 1963 (republic)
Congo (1960): Independence from France, 15 Aug.
Senegal (1960): Independence from France, 4 April (Mali Federation, then separate 20 Aug).
Somalia (1960): Union of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland, 1 July.
Togo (1960): Independence from France, 27 April.
Kuwait (1961): Independence from Britain, 19 June (national day 25 Feb). Other possible years: 1752 (Al Sabah rule begins)
Sierra Leone (1961): Independence from Britain, 27 April.
Tanzania (1961): Tanganyika independence, 9 Dec. Other possible years: 1964 (union with Zanzibar, 26 April)
Algeria (1962): Independence from France, 5 July.
Burundi (1962): Independence from Belgium, 1 July.
Jamaica (1962): Independence from Britain, 6 Aug.
Rwanda (1962): Independence from Belgium, 1 July.
Samoa (1962): Independence from New Zealand, 1 Jan.
Trinidad & Tobago (1962): Independence from Britain, 31 Aug. Other possible years: 1976 (republic)
Uganda (1962): Independence from Britain, 9 Oct.
Kenya (1963): Independence from Britain, 12 Dec. Other possible years: 1964 (republic)
Malawi (1964): Independence from Britain, 6 July.
Malta (1964): Independence from Britain, 21 Sept. Other possible years: 1974 (republic)
Zambia (1964): Independence from Britain, 24 Oct.
Gambia (1965): Independence from Britain, 18 Feb. Other possible years: 1970 (republic)
Maldives (1965): Independence from Britain, 26 July. Other possible years: 1968 (republic)
Singapore (1965): Separation from Malaysia, 9 Aug. Other possible years: 1963 (independence from Britain within Malaysia)
Barbados (1966): Independence from Britain, 30 Nov. Other possible years: 2021 (republic)
Botswana (1966): Independence from Britain, 30 Sept.
Guyana (1966): Independence from Britain, 26 May. Other possible years: 1970 (republic)
Lesotho (1966): Independence from Britain, 4 Oct. Other possible years: 1822 (Moshoeshoe I founds Basotho nation)
Equatorial Guinea (1968): Independence from Spain, 12 Oct.
Mauritius (1968): Independence from Britain, 12 March. Other possible years: 1992 (republic)
Nauru (1968): Independence from Australia-administered trusteeship, 31 Jan.
Eswatini (1968): Independence from Britain, 6 Sept. Other possible years: 1750s (Ngwane III); 2018 (renamed from Swaziland)
Fiji (1970): Independence from Britain, 10 Oct. Other possible years: 1987 (republic)
Tonga (1970): End of British protectorate, 4 June; never formally colonised. Other possible years: 1845 (unified kingdom under George Tupou I); 1875 (constitution)
Bahrain (1971): Independence from Britain, 15 Aug (national day 16 Dec). Other possible years: 1783 (Al Khalifa rule begins)
Bangladesh (1971): Declaration of independence, 26 March; victory 16 Dec.
Qatar (1971): Independence from Britain, 3 Sept (national day 18 Dec, 1878 Al Thani founding). Other possible years: 1868 (Al Thani recognised)
United Arab Emirates (1971): Federation formed, 2 Dec. Other possible years: 1972 (Ras Al Khaimah joins)
Guinea-Bissau (1973): Unilateral declaration, 24 Sept. Other possible years: 1974 (Portuguese recognition)
Bahamas (1973): Independence from Britain, 10 July.
Grenada (1974): Independence from Britain, 7 Feb.
Angola (1975): Independence from Portugal, 11 Nov.
Cabo Verde (1975): Independence from Portugal, 5 July.
Comoros (1975): Independence from France, 6 July.
Mozambique (1975): Independence from Portugal, 25 June.
Papua New Guinea (1975): Independence from Australia, 16 Sept.
Suriname (1975): Independence from the Netherlands, 25 Nov.
São Tomé & Príncipe (1975): Independence from Portugal, 12 July.
Seychelles (1976): Independence from Britain, 29 June.
Djibouti (1977): Independence from France, 27 June.
Dominica (1978): Independence from Britain, 3 Nov.
Solomon Islands (1978): Independence from Britain, 7 July.
Tuvalu (1978): Independence from Britain, 1 Oct.
Kiribati (1979): Independence from Britain, 12 July.
St Lucia (1979): Independence from Britain, 22 Feb.
St Vincent & the Grenadines (1979): Independence from Britain, 27 Oct.
Vanuatu (1980): Independence from Britain and France, 30 July.
Zimbabwe (1980): Internationally recognised independence, 18 April. Other possible years: 1965 (Rhodesian UDI, unrecognised)
Antigua & Barbuda (1981): Independence from Britain, 1 Nov.
Belize (1981): Independence from Britain, 21 Sept.
St Kitts & Nevis (1983): Independence from Britain, 19 Sept.
Brunei (1984): Independence from Britain, 1 Jan. Other possible years: 1368 (sultanate founded)
Micronesia (1986): Compact of Free Association in force, 3 Nov. Other possible years: 1979 (constitution); 1990 (trusteeship ended); 1991 (UN membership)
Marshall Islands (1986): Compact of Free Association in force, 21 Oct. Other possible years: 1979 (constitution); 1990 (trusteeship ended); 1991 (UN membership)
Palestine (1988): Declaration of independence in Algiers, 15 Nov. Other possible years: 1994 (Palestinian Authority); 2012 (UN observer state)
Namibia (1990): Independence from South Africa, 21 March.
Yemen (1990): Unification of North and South Yemen, 22 May. Other possible years: 1918 (North Yemen independence from Ottomans); 1967 (South Yemen from Britain)
Armenia (1991): Independence from USSR, 21 Sept. Other possible years: -190 (Artaxiad kingdom); 301 (first Christian state); 1918 (First Republic)
Azerbaijan (1991): Independence from USSR, 30 Aug (restoration of independence 18 Oct). Other possible years: 1918 (Democratic Republic, 28 May)
Belarus (1991): Independence from USSR, 25 Aug (national day 3 July). Other possible years: 1918 (Belarusian People's Republic)
Croatia (1991): Declaration of independence, 25 June (in force 8 Oct). Other possible years: 925 (Kingdom of Croatia, Tomislav); 1992 (recognised)
Georgia (1991): Independence from USSR, 9 April. Other possible years: 1008 (unified kingdom, Bagrat III); 1918 (Democratic Republic, 26 May)
Kazakhstan (1991): Independence from USSR, 16 Dec. Other possible years: 1465 (Kazakh Khanate)
Kyrgyzstan (1991): Independence from USSR, 31 Aug.
Moldova (1991): Independence from USSR, 27 Aug. Other possible years: 1359 (Principality of Moldavia)
North Macedonia (1991): Independence from Yugoslavia, 8 Sept. Other possible years: 2019 (renamed from Macedonia)
Slovenia (1991): Independence from Yugoslavia, 25 June.
Tajikistan (1991): Independence from USSR, 9 Sept. Other possible years: 875 (Samanid dynasty)
Turkmenistan (1991): Independence from USSR, 27 Oct.
Ukraine (1991): Declaration of independence, 24 Aug. Other possible years: 882 (Kievan Rus'); 1918 (Ukrainian People's Republic)
Uzbekistan (1991): Independence from USSR, 1 Sept.
Bosnia & Herzegovina (1992): Independence from Yugoslavia, 1 March (recognised 6 April). Other possible years: 1377 (Kingdom of Bosnia, Tvrtko I); 1995 (Dayton)
Czechia (1993): Dissolution of Czechoslovakia, 1 Jan. Other possible years: 870s (Bohemia); 1198 (kingdom); 1918 (Czechoslovakia, 28 Oct national day)
Eritrea (1993): Independence from Ethiopia, 24 May. Other possible years: 1991 (de facto)
Slovakia (1993): Dissolution of Czechoslovakia, 1 Jan. Other possible years: 1918 (Czechoslovakia); 1939-45 (wartime state)
Palau (1994): Compact of Free Association in force, 1 Oct; UN trusteeship ends. Other possible years: 1981 (constitution)
Timor-Leste (2002): Restoration of independence, 20 May. Other possible years: 1975 (declaration, 28 Nov; invaded by Indonesia nine days later)
Montenegro (2006): Independence referendum and declaration, 3 June. Other possible years: 1878 (recognised as independent, Berlin); 1910 (kingdom); 1918 (absorbed into Yugoslavia)
Kosovo (2008): Declaration of independence, 17 Feb (recognised by ~100 states).
South Sudan (2011): Independence from Sudan, 9 July.