South Sudan is widely considered the youngest country in the world. It gained independence on July 9, 2011, becoming Africa's 54th country. [1, 2, 8, 9] While the definition of "youngest" can sometimes refer to median age (Niger often holds this title [6]), the date of independence makes South Sudan the most recently established nation. [1, 2, 8, 9] Other countries like Kosovo [3, 7] and Montenegro [4] also achieved independence relatively recently and are frequently included in lists of young nations. However, South Sudan's independence date firmly establishes its position as the youngest country based on statehood. [1, 2, 8, 9]
The declaration of South Sudan's independence was met with great hope, [1, 9] but the country has since faced significant challenges, including outbreaks of civil war. [8] This highlights that the term "youngest" doesn't only relate to a nation's age but also reflects the complexities of its early development.
Other Young Nations
Several other nations have gained independence or sovereignty in recent decades, frequently appearing in lists of the world's youngest countries. These include, but aren't limited to:
- Kosovo: Achieved independence after a referendum. [3, 7]
- Montenegro: Formed its sovereign government. [4]
- Niger: Often cited as the world's youngest country based on median age. [6]
While the median age of a population can be used to define "youngest" in a different context, South Sudan holds the title when considering the date of its independence as the defining factor.
