Anisland country,island state, orisland nation is acountry whose primary territory consists of one or moreislands or parts of islands.[1] Approximately 25% of all independent countries are island countries.[2] Island countries are historically more stable[2] than many continental states but are vulnerable to conquest bynaval superpowers.Indonesia is the largest and most populated island country in the world (and thefourth most populated country overall).[3][4]
There are great variations between island country economies: they may rely mainly on extractive industries, such as mining, fishing and agriculture, and/or on services such as transit hubs,tourism, and financial services. Many islands have low-lying geographies and their economies and population centers develop along coast plains andports; such states may bevulnerable to the effects of climate change, especiallysea level rise.
Many island countries were first inhabited by indigenous peoples who mastered long-distance ocean navigation and maritime skills. The Polynesians are one of the most notable groups; they used advanced wayfinding techniques to colonize vast areas of thePacific Ocean, including islands such asSamoa,Tonga,New Zealand, andHawaii. These migrations occurred over centuries, showcasing remarkable seafaring capabilities in pre-modern times.[5] Similarly, Madagascar’s population is the result of early maritime migrations from both Southeast Asia and East Africa, resulting in a unique cultural and genetic blend that reflects the island's strategic location in the Indian Ocean trade routes.[6]
The Age of Discovery in the 15th century brought European explorers to many island regions, including the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. European powers, primarily Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and the Netherlands, established colonies to exploit resources and secure strategic naval positions. Islands in theCaribbean became key centers for sugar plantations, which relied heavily on enslaved labor, significantly altering local demographics and economies.[7] Colonization also introduced new crops, animals, and cultural influences, but frequently led to displacement and decline of indigenous populations.
In the 20th century, many island territories began asserting their sovereignty amid the global wave of decolonization. Countries such asJamaica (independence in 1962) andMauritius (1968) transitioned from colonial rule to independent states. These nations often faced unique challenges due to their geographic isolation, limited landmass, and economies dependent on a narrow range of exports like sugar, tourism, or minerals.[8] Meanwhile,Singapore evolved from a British colonial trading post into a major global financial and technological hub, demonstrating how strategic policy and geographic position can transform an island economy despite scarce natural resources.[9]
Many island countries, especiallySmall Island Developing States (SIDS) such as theMaldives andTuvalu, face acute environmental challenges, notably rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These factors threaten their very existence, impacting freshwater supplies, infrastructure, andbiodiversity.[10] Consequently, island nations have become vocal advocates for ambitious global climate action, emphasizing the urgency of reducinggreenhousegas emissions and supporting climate resilience efforts.[11]
In addition to environmental pressures, many island states navigate complex geopolitical dynamics due to their strategic maritime locations. They often maintain critical partnerships withregional powers andinternational organizations to enhance security, economic development, and disaster preparedness.[12]Balancingsovereignty and collaboration, these countries work to secure sustainable development pathways while managing vulnerabilities associated with their size and location.
Historically, island countries have tended to be less prone to political instability than their continental counterparts. The percentage of island countries that aredemocratic is higher than that ofcontinental countries.[2]
While island countries by definition aresovereign states, there are also several islands andarchipelagos around the world that operatesemi-autonomously from their official sovereign states. These are often known as dependencies or overseas territories and can be similar in nature to proper island countries.
Island countries have often been the basis of maritime conquest and historical rivalry between other countries.[13]Island countries are more susceptible to attack by large, continental countries due to their size and dependence onsea andair lines of communication.[14]Many island countries are also vulnerable to predation by mercenaries and other foreign invaders,[15]although their isolation also makes them a difficult target.
Some island countries are more affected than other countries byclimate change, which produces problems such as reducedland use,water scarcity, and sometimes even resettlement issues. Some low-lying island countries are slowly being submerged by the rising water levels of thePacific Ocean.[18]Climate change also impacts island countries by causing natural disasters such astropical cyclones, hurricanes,flash floods anddroughts.[19]
A sign onSouth Tarawa, Kiribati pointing out the threat ofsea level rise to the island, with its highest point being only three metres above sea level.Theeffects of climate change on small island countries are affecting people in coastal areas throughsea level rise, increasing heavy rain events,tropical cyclones andstorm surges.[20]: 2045 Theseeffects of climate change threaten the existence of many island countries, their peoples and cultures. They also alterecosystems and natural environments in those countries.Small island developing states (SIDS) are a heterogenous group of countries but many of them are particularlyat risk due to climate change.[21] Those countries have been quite vocal in calling attention to the challenges they face from climate change.[21] In a 2025 cross-national survey of 14,710 people across 55 small-island states and territories found an 89 to nearly 100% acceptance of human-caused climate change. However, when addressing smaller island communities, it is important to consider the empirical gap. Currently, there are issues with having adequate data that best supports these communities’ opinions, beliefs, and behavior on climate change. Geologically, it is difficult to survey these countries because of obstacles with service or low internet access. Addressing this empirical gap means that we perform essential research to better obtain perspective from these smaller countries, working together to find efficient solutions to slow climate change.[22] For example, theMaldives and nations of theCaribbean andPacific Islands are already experiencing considerable impacts of climate change.[23] It is critical for them to implementclimate change adaptation measures fast.[23]
Some small and low population islands do not have the resources to protect their islands and natural resources. They experienceclimate hazards which impact on human health, livelihoods, and inhabitable space. This can lead to pressure toleave these islands but resources to do so are often lacking as well.
Efforts to combat these challenges are ongoing and multinational. Many of the small island developing countries have a high vulnerability to climate change, whilst having contributed very little to globalgreenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, some small island countries have made advocacy for global cooperation onclimate change mitigation a key aspect of theirforeign policy.
Japan is an archipelago inAsia that constitutes one of the richest and most populated nations onEarth.Singapore, an affluent and highly developed sovereign island country by which its territories consists of amain island and other smaller islands
Many island countries rely heavily onimports and are greatly affected by changes in theglobal economy.[24] Due to the nature of island countries their economies are often characterised by being smaller, relatively isolated from world trade and economy, more vulnerable to shipping costs, and more likely to suffer environmental damage to infrastructure; exceptions include Japan, Taiwan[citation needed] and the United Kingdom.[25][26][27]The dominant industry for many island countries istourism.[28]
Geographically, the country ofAustralia is considered acontinental landmass rather than an island, covering the largest landmass of theAustralian continent. In the past, however, it was considered an island country for tourism purposes[30] (among others) and is sometimes referred to as such.[31]
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