Despite the global trend toward republics over the past two centuries, roughly 30 countries that are still monarchies remain today, ranging from ceremonial constitutional monarchies to a handful of nations where the monarch still holds real political power.
Constitutional Monarchies
In most remaining monarchies, the monarch serves a largely ceremonial role while elected governments hold actual political power. This group includes the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms that share the British monarch, along with Japan, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Bhutan, and Jordan.
Absolute and Semi-Absolute Monarchies
A smaller group of monarchs retain substantial or near-total political power: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (a federation of monarchies), Brunei, Eswatini, and Vatican City (an elected “monarchy” in the sense that the Pope holds supreme authority).
The 15 Commonwealth Realms
One often-overlooked detail is that the British monarch is also formally head of state in 14 other countries beyond the United Kingdom, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica — a legacy of the British Empire. Together with the UK, these are known as the Commonwealth realms.
See government and population data for any of these countries on our Rankings page.
Why Monarchies Have Persisted
Constitutional monarchies have largely survived by evolving into symbolic institutions that provide continuity and national identity while ceding actual governance to elected parliaments — a model that has proven durable across Northern Europe and parts of Asia in particular, distinct from the absolute monarchies of the Gulf, which have instead retained power through oil wealth and, in several cases, gradual political reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries in the world are still monarchies?
Roughly 30 countries in the world currently have a monarch as head of state, in either a ceremonial or governing capacity.
What is the difference between a constitutional and an absolute monarchy?
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch’s role is largely ceremonial and actual political power rests with an elected government; in an absolute monarchy, the monarch retains substantial or total governing authority.
Which countries share the British monarch as head of state?
Fifteen countries, known as the Commonwealth realms, share the British monarch as head of state, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica.
Compare any of these countries using our Compare tool.
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