The country with the smallest parliament in the world is the Federated States of Micronesia.
Micronesia's Unique Legislative Body
The Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation in Oceania, holds the distinction of having the world's smallest national legislature in terms of the number of representatives. Its parliament, known as the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, consists of just 14 Members of Parliament (MPs).
This compact legislative body is structured with:
- Four senators elected at-large, representing each of the four states (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap), serving four-year terms.
- Ten senators elected from congressional districts based on population, serving two-year terms.
Understanding Parliamentary Size and Representation
While Micronesia has the fewest MPs, the "size" of a parliament can also be viewed through the lens of population representation, specifically the number of inhabitants per parliamentarian. This metric highlights how closely elected representatives are connected to their constituents.
- Global Average: The typical global average for parliamentary representation stands at approximately 146,000 inhabitants per parliamentarian.
- India's Scale: In contrast, large nations like India have a significantly higher ratio, with each Member of Parliament representing around 1.5 million inhabitants. This demonstrates the vast disparity in representation levels across different countries.
Countries with High Citizen-to-Representative Ratios
Different countries offer varied degrees of direct representation based on their population and legislative structure.
| Country / Region | Inhabitants per Parliamentarian (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Average | 146,000 | A general benchmark reflecting the average number of citizens per elected representative worldwide. |
| India | 1,500,000 | Represents one of the highest ratios globally, indicating a broad constituency for each parliamentarian. |
| San Marino | 517 | Holds the record for the smallest number of inhabitants per MP, signifying extremely direct representation. |
San Marino, a microstate enveloped by Italy, showcases the most direct form of representation on a per capita basis. Despite its parliament (the Grand and General Council) having 60 members (more than Micronesia's 14), it serves a very small population, resulting in only about 517 citizens per parliamentarian. This allows for a much more intimate connection between representatives and their constituents compared to larger nations.
The distinction between the total number of MPs and the inhabitants-per-MP ratio provides different insights into parliamentary structure and accessibility, with Micronesia leading in the former and San Marino excelling in the latter.
