“Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity” — Herbert Hoover.
Being born in an independent country is a luxury that we overlook. Our forefathers have fought wars and given their lives only for us— their future generations. To know the importance of freedom, check out the stories of these youngest countries in the world — amid violence and torture for many years, most of them have gained independence by sacrificing even their lives.
Youngest countries in the world by continent
As the infographic also show, this is our list of youngest countries in the world by continent:
South Sudan
This young country on our list of the youngest countries in the world, is home to over 60 major ethnic groups. South Sudan is also one of the poorest countries in the world. South Sudan has seen devastation due to civil war that has crippled the economy and left many dead. This land of lush savannas, swampland, and rain forests came into existence on July 9, 2011. The landlocked country from northeast Africa shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Congo, Uganda, and Kenya.
South Sudan is full of rich wildlife. It has a population of 11.06 million of which the majority live in the capital city Juba. The vast number of people in this country are Nilotic peoples. The country has the youngest population, and the majority of them believe in Christianity or other indigenous religions.
According to World Bank, oil production accounts for almost all of its exports and more than 40 percent of GNP.
Road to independence
South Sudan, before its independence, was controlled by its neighbor Sudan. This new country claimed its independence through a public referendum in 2011, by a majority vote, thus ending Sudan’s reign from this country. Salva Kiir Mayardit became the President of South Sudan upon its independence.
How is it going after independence?
Despite its independence, the sufferings in this land did not halt here. Soon after, in 2013, the civil war broke that jeopardized the social and economic well-being of the country.
The root cause for this civil dispute is conflicts between the political parties for power. The violence attributed to the civil war in the country has led to many deaths and displacements. According to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, since 2013, nearly 400,000 people in this one of the youngest countries in the world have died due to civil war. Not only this, according to the same report, half of the people died because of fighting between ethnic rivals, while others from diseases, hunger, and other factors aggravated by the war.
Civil war is not the only issue for this young nation. According to World Bank, the country faces the worst poverty issues. Besides, the problem of famine, starvation, drought, malnutrition, floods, and locusts plagues are further damaging this already war-torn country. Around 4 million people have fled from this country. It is even difficult for humanitarian aid workers and supplies to reach the affected areas due to poor infrastructure and poor law & order situations.
Constant violence and fear have contributed to food shortages by preventing farmers from harvesting and damaging markets. The situation is too dire in this young nation, According to World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley:
Mothers are resorting to feeding their children with the skin of dead animals – or even mud.
After five years of civil war in August 2018, by signing the power-sharing agreement with the rebel party, Kiir finally put an end to the brutal civil war. On paper, the war has ended, but still, the brutality has not stopped, and sufferings continue.
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, an island country situated in Southeast Asia, lies around the eastern part of Timor Island, the small nearby islands of Atauro (Kambing) and Jaco, and the enclave of Ambeno.
The population of East Timor consists of people of Malayan, Polynesian, and Papuan origin. More than ninety percent of people are Roman-Catholic, while only fractions are Protestants and Muslims. The main languages spoken in this country are dialects of Papuan and Malayan. Likewise, English and Indonesian are the official languages.
East Timor is a market economy. The biggest revenues earners for the country are offshore oil and gas reserves. Besides, the Agriculture sector employs a big portion of the population. Coffee is the second biggest export revenue for the country. Similarly, the country produces and exports marble, sandalwood, cinnamon, and cocoa.
Road to independence
In 1975, the country achieved Independence from Portuguese annexation when one of the ruling parties gained control of large parts of the region and declared independence. This independence was short-lived as just after nine days, the Indonesian army occupied East Timor and later pronounced it as its province. Then for nearly two decades, the struggle for independence continued that claimed many lives from the violence, diseases, and famine.
Due to international pressure, particularly from the UN, the Indonesian government conducted a referendum in 1999. The results of the referendum depicted mainstream support for East Timor independence. Soon East Timor got independence but under UN supervision. The problems persisted for this unfortunate nation as violence from anti-independence supporters kept shaking the core of this young nation. Soon after the appointment of Xanana Gusmão as the first president of East Timor, this one of the youngest countries in the world retrieved the status of a sovereign state in 2002.
How is it going after independence?
The country has not recovered from the war that has crippled the economy — destroyed the infrastructure, and claimed many lives. The biggest revenue earner for the country, oil is dwindling — thus posing difficulties for the economy. Besides, the country lags behind other Asian countries as this country is one of the poorest countries in Asia. The country faces issues of starvation and malnutrition. The tourism industry is also affected by rising crimes, including gang-related violence, robbery (in some cases armed), and assault. Additionally, the country has a low literacy rate over 40 percent remain illiterate.
Despite all the dilemmas, the government has been working on various programs to alleviate economic growth by eliminating poverty, building infrastructure, providing health care, and developing the private sector.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a country situated in the West Indies, consists of two islands of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Basseterre is the capital and the main port for both cargo and passengers. St Kitts Nevis is the world’s smallest sovereign federation and a commonwealth country with Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state.
Saint Kitts was the first Caribbean Island colonized by Europeans— British and French. This one of the youngest countries in the world on our list from North America got independence from a British territory in 1983.
This country consists of two islands. Saint Kitts is an oval-shaped fertile island with pearlescent water and good weather. While Nevis is a circular island with mostly mountains. Both islands are separated by The Narrow straits. Both islands have high volcanic origin islands.
The population of the country is mainly black with a small number of mulatto, South Asian, and white people. The country has a high life expectancy and high emigration rate which keeps the population stable. The large number of inhabitants of this Island believe in Christianity, while Hinduism is the second-largest religion. The island of a thousand treasures is known for its cultural beaches, shipwrecks, virgin coral reefs, musical carnivals, and festivals.
The economy of the country is predominately run via tourism, and then by agriculture. A few manufacturing industries that produce items like electronic equipment, batik-dyed fabrics, and other clothing and furniture are also contributing to the economy of this rich island. Besides, both islands have their airports.
Road to independence
Both exotic islands, as per some claims spotted first by Christopher Columbus. Later the British colonized the islands, followed by the Spanish and French. By 1967, both Islands were allowed to form their internal government with Britain dealing with defense and foreign relations. On 19 September 1983, Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent with Kennedy Simmonds, the first Prime Minister.
How is it going after independence?
Saint Kitts and Nevis rely heavily on the tourism industry as the island attracts many tourists every year. In 2019, the country recorded a total of 1 million tourists. St Kitts Nevis is also the ultimate holiday destination for tourists because of its beautiful beaches, shipwrecks, brimstone fortress, golf courses, carnivals, and musical festivals.
The country is also encouraging foreign investments through government-sponsored programs, Citizenship-by-investment, which makes it easy for foreigners to obtain the citizenship of St Kitts Nevis by investing in development projects or real estate.
Kosovo
Located in Southeast Europe — the Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognized independent country. This one of the youngest countries in the world on our list hail from Southeast Europe. The country has a population of around 1.8 million. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Many countries, including the United States, Japan, and Canada recognized it as a sovereign state except Russia, Serbia, and other European nations. This landlocked country shares its borders with Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, and Montenegro.
The climate of this country is a moderate continental climate. The borders are mountainous with high peaks and small valleys. Kosovo possesses some rare species of plants, animals, and birds. Besides, it has beautiful forests with oak and pine trees which cover more than 30% of this region. Albanian and Serbians are the largest ethnic group living in Kosovo followed by Turks, Romanians, Goranis, and Bosniak. Due to a high number of Albanians and Serbs, the official languages are also Albanian and Serbian. Kosovo is a secular state officially, but a majority of them are Muslims.
Kosovo heavily relies on foreign aid and remittance from overseas Kosovars. The country heavily suffers from unemployment and poverty, which has boosted black market activities. The majority of the population resides in rural areas— in villages and mountains.
Road to independence
Ottoman Empire ruled the country for nearly four centuries starting from mid-15th to 20th century — accounting for a high number of Muslim Albanians in the region due to the increasing influence of Islam.
In the early 20th century, Kosovo became part of Serbia and later Yugoslavia. This was the period when inter-ethnic tension ascended as Muslim Albanians outnumbered Serbs. In 1974, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia by Yugoslavia’s constitution. By the 1980s, pressures increased for granting Kosovo a full Republic status by Kosovo Albanians.
From the 1980s to 1990s, the tension escalated by violence affecting the lives of Kosovo civilians, therefore, increasing the efforts for liberty. Killings and abductions mark the entire journey to freedom. Ethical cleansing and killings by Yugoslav and Serbian forces displaced many Kosovar Albanians. While Serbs minority in Kosovo also were victims of violence by Kosovar forces. Finally, in 2008 Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.
How is it going after independence?
Like South Sudan and East Timor on our list of the youngest countries in the world, Kosovo also suffers from unemployment and poverty. The country heavily depends on foreign remittances by overseas Kosovars to run the economy. Every year many Kosovars emigrate to Germany and Switzerland to earn livelihood for their families. The remittance in the year 2020 comprised one-fifth of Kosovo’s GDP.
Similarly, the country heavily relies on foreign aid, including USAid and NATO military for survival. Kosovo is in desperate need of improvements in its education and healthcare system to survive. This young country is now taking measures to change its growth model to a more sustainable economic system.
Palau
Situated in the western Pacific, the Republic of Palau is an island country that has chains of 340 volcanic and coral islands. This island paradise lies in the southeast of the Philippines — Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are also its neighbors. This one of the youngest countries in the world on our list from Oceania, became independent on 1 October 1994.
Palau has a tropical climate, with heavy rainfall throughout the year. The island has rich marine life that attracts many tourists throughout the year. These rich marine species have made this an ultimate holiday destination for scuba divers. The official languages of Palau are Palauan and English. Korr island is the most populated island of Palau. The country has a diverse population of Palauans (Melanesian and Austronesian descent), Filipinos, Chinese, and Korean people.
The economy of Palau depends on tourism, agriculture, and fishing. The government has been a major employer in Palau for many years.
Road to Independence
After World War II, Palau became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific, under US administration. Palau by 1978 started its struggle for independence from the US. The US government approved the Compact of Free Association in 1986 and ratified it in 1993. In the year 1994, the country finally became de facto independent.
How is it going after independence?
Palau has come a long way since freedom, moving from a low-income country to a high-income country. The political system of the country is inspired from USA with constitutional democracy. This nation has developed modern infrastructure, education, and a healthcare system. Every year many tourists flock to this small country which welcomes them with its beautiful blue lagoons and mesmerizing marine life.
Besides, the country has successfully achieved seven out of eight Sustainable Development Goals.
Palau also encourages conserving the environment through its various Sustainable tourism measures. The sustainable travel project by Palau aims to contain the carbon emission from tourist activities that will eventually contribute to climate changes in this beautiful country and affect its pristine natural resources.
Palau now commits to reducing the carbon footprints of tourism in the country, as eco-pledge (Palau Pledge) is a testament to that.
Youngest countries in the world | Conclusion
One thing we can learn from all these countries on our list of youngest countries in the world — perseverance is the key. Despite the hurdles from outside forces and even forces within — as in South Sudan, East Timor, and Kosovo cases — the people of these countries never gave up on their dream of a sovereign state.
