Population, GDP, natural resources, leaders and history of Holy See (Vatican City): the Magna Factbook country file, with its Magna Power score (2.93/100, ranked #195 of 195).
Holy See (Vatican City) — in Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy). Political status: ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy". The country's capital is Vatican City; it covers 0 sq km. Independence: 11 February 1929. Terrain: urban; low hill. Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September). Population: 1,000 (2024 estimate). Population growth: +0.00% per year. Languages: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages Religions: Roman Catholic Urban population: 100% of total population (2023). Major urban areas: 1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018) limited, tourism-based economy; euro user with own …
| Capital | Vatican City |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,000 (2024) |
| Urbanization | 100% of total population (2023) |
| Government | ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy" |
| Independence | 11 February 1929 |
| Languages | Italian, Latin, French, various other languages |
POWER 2.93/100 — The Magna Power score is our 0–100 composite of structural national power — five dimensions, 100+ indicators. It is the Bureau's own assessment, not a mirror of World Bank or CIA figures.
Momentum 0 — Quarterly momentum: the Bureau's read on the country's trajectory over the last quarter, from −10 (deteriorating fast) to +10 (accelerating).
A quiet quarter: no major shocks, no breakthroughs. The country's trajectory is set by structural forces larger than any single season.
The honest reading is steadiness — neither crisis nor windfall — with the long currents of demography, trade and institutions deciding more than any three months.
Raffaella Petrini — President of the Governatorate. Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025)
Holy See (Vatican City) maintains 113 embassies and 0 consulates abroad, hosts 86 foreign diplomatic missions, holds permanent missions to UN New York (Permanent Observer), UN Geneva (Permanent Observer), UNESCO Paris (Permanent Observer), FAO Rome (Permanent Observer), IAEA Vienna, CoE Strasbourg (observer). The breadth of a diplomatic network is a direct measure of diplomatic power — it shows how far a country’s influence, alliances and interests reach.
| Embassies abroad | 113 |
|---|---|
| Consulates abroad | 0 |
| Foreign missions hosted | 86 |
| Multilateral missions | UN New York (Permanent Observer), UN Geneva (Permanent Observer), UNESCO Paris (Permanent Observer), FAO Rome (Permanent Observer), IAEA Vienna, CoE Strasbourg (observer) |
Source: Abroad: Consular Affairs Center, of-country ranking, Jan 2026 (113 nunciatures, 0 consulates), Zenodo https://zenodo.org/records/18109976/ . Hosted: Wikipedia 'List of diplomatic missions in Rome' — 86 embassies to the Holy See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_in_Rome . Multilateral statuses: 'Foreign relations of the Holy See' (Wikipedia mirror) http://library.snls.org.sz/archive/doc/wikipedia/wikipedia-terodump-0.1/tero-dump/wikipedia/fo/Foreign_relations_of_the_Vatican_City.html ; UN protocol labels https://www.un.org/dgacm/sites/www.un.org.dgacm/files/Documents_Protocol/labels.pdf . Other rosters as for AUT.
Transport networks are economic power made physical — ports, runways, railways and pipelines decide what a country can move, sell and defend.
Holy See (Vatican City): transport infrastructure figures are not currently available.
| Political system | absolute monarchy |
|---|---|
| Next election | No election currently scheduled. |
POWER 2.93/100 Ranked #195 of 195 countries in the Magna Country Rankings. Full ranking breakdown for Holy See (Vatican City).
Historical timeline of Holy See (Vatican City)
