The Monarchy Today > Queen and Commonwealth > The Commonwealth organisation

Fact file

There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth.

1.8 billion people in the world are a member of a Commonwealth country. That’s over 30% of the world’s population.

Over 50% of the Commonwealth are aged under 25.

Today, member countries remain entirely responsible for their own government and policies, but choose to consult and co-operate in certain areas such as strengthening democracy, promoting human rights and working for the social and economic development of poorer countries.

A lot of the strength of the Commonwealth is derived from its non-governmental and informal links, such as teacher-training schemes, youth ministries, distance education, science and environmental projects, shared sports and arts festivals. This means that it is as much a commonwealth of peoples as of governments.

Since the beginning, membership of the Commonwealth has been open to any independent state which was once ruled or administered by Britain or other Commonwealth countries, and which recognises The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. The exception is Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, which joined the Commonwealth in 1995.

Almost all countries, when they became independent of the United Kingdom, have chosen to join the Commonwealth but, since the link is entirely voluntary, any member can withdraw at any time. The Republic of Ireland did so in 1949, as did South Africa in 1961 (rejoining in 1994), and Zimbabwe in 2003.

After nearly 60 years of its existence, the Commonwealth is a remarkable organisation which remains a major force for change in the world today.

Queen and Commonwealth
	The Commonwealth After nearly 60 years of its existence, the Commonwealth is a remarkable organisation which remains a major force for change in the world today. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule. The origins of the Commonwealth come from Britain’s former Empire. Many of the members of the Commonwealth were territories which had historically come under British rule at various times by settlement, conquest or cession. The administration of such colonies evolved in different ways, to reflect the different circumstances of each territory. After achieving independence, India was the first of a number of countries which decided that, although they wished to become republics, they still wanted to remain within the Commonwealth. To reconcile these aims, the 1949 London Declaration recognised the British Sovereign as a symbol of association between independent member nations and as Head of the Commonwealth. George VI was the first to hold this title.
How the Monarchy works? Queen and State Queen and public Ceremony and symbol Royal finances The Royal Household	Fact file There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth. 1.8 billion people in the world are a member of a Commonwealth country. That’s over 30% of the world’s population. Over 50% of the Commonwealth are aged under 25. Today, member countries remain entirely responsible for their own government and policies, but choose to consult and co-operate in certain areas such as strengthening democracy, promoting human rights and working for the social and economic development of poorer countries. A lot of the strength of the Commonwealth is derived from its non-governmental and informal links, such as teacher-training schemes, youth ministries, distance education, science and environmental projects, shared sports and arts festivals. This means that it is as much a commonwealth of peoples as of governments. Since the beginning, membership of the Commonwealth has been open to any independent state which was once ruled or administered by Britain or other Commonwealth countries, and which recognises The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. The exception is Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, which joined the Commonwealth in 1995. Almost all countries, when they became independent of the United Kingdom, have chosen to join the Commonwealth but, since the link is entirely voluntary, any member can withdraw at any time. The Republic of Ireland did so in 1949, as did South Africa in 1961 (rejoining in 1994), and Zimbabwe in 2003. After nearly 60 years of its existence, the Commonwealth is a remarkable organisation which remains a major force for change in the world today. Next section Have you seen… The Queen A biography of the Head of State SUGGESTED LINKS Commonwealth Secretariat Commonwealth Games Federation Commonwealth War Graves Commission