Which country has the shortest written Constitution?

Asked by: Sylvia Kessler  |  Last update: March 12, 2026
Score: 5/5 (51 votes)

The smallest written constitution in the world belongs to Monaco, with around 3,814 words, making it significantly shorter than other national constitutions like India's (the longest) or the U.S. Constitution (the oldest). Adopted in its current form in 1962, Monaco's constitution is concise, reflecting its small size as a principality, and outlines the nation's governance and the role of its Prince.

Which countries have the shortest constitutions?

The planet's second-smallest nation by area (after Vatican City), has the world's shortest constitution. Adopted in 1962 during the reign of Prince Rainier III, the governing document of Monaco currently clocks in at 3,814 words, according to the Comparative Constitutions Project (CCP).

Which country has the briefest constitution in the world?

Explanation: The United States Constitution holds the remarkable distinction of being the shortest written constitution among all the world's nations.

Is the U.S. Constitution the shortest in the world?

Starting with “We the People,” the Constitution is 4,543 words and is also the shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. For over two centuries, the Constitution has stood the test of time and continues to be the foundation of democracy and the rights of all Americans.

What country has the oldest and shortest constitution?

Of the written national constitutions, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest. At 81, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention and at 26, Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey was the youngest.

Which country has the world's shortest written Constitution?

32 related questions found

Which is the no. 1 constitution in the world?

The Constitution of India, adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced from 26 January 1950, stands as the world's longest written constitution.

What country has the longest written constitution?

The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world, containing 448 articles grouped in 22 parts with 12 schedules.

Which country has the easiest constitution?

Monaco has the shortest written constitution with just 3,814 words. USA constitution has 7,591 and our Constitution has a whopping 1,46,385 words. There's reason for needing these many words for the architects of our Constitution.

Which U.S. state has the longest constitution?

On average, state constitutions are more than nine times longer than the U.S. Constitution. Every single state constitution is longer than the U.S. Constitution, which consists of 4,543 words. Alabama has the longest constitution, by far, with approximately 373,000 words — longer than most Stephen King's novels.

Does Russia have a constitution?

The Constitution of the Russian Federation shall have supreme legal force, direct effect and shall be applicable on the entire territory of the Russian Federation. Laws and other legal acts, which are adopted in the Russian Federation, must not contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Is there a country without a constitution?

Only five countries do not have a written constitution: Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. They have laws, “basic laws,” and legal traditions, but lack a single unified constitutional document.

Which country has the best written constitution?

The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any country in the world, with 146,385 words in its English-language version, while the Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution with 3,814 words.

Why is 42 CAA called mini constitution?

The 42nd Amendment, passed in 1976, is often called the “Mini-Constitution” because it made many significant changes to the Indian Constitution. It aimed to strengthen the central government and included new duties for citizens.

What is the oldest constitution in the world still in use?

1. San Marino (October, 1600) The Republic of San Marino is believed to have the oldest surviving Constitution in the world. However, instead of being a single document, the Constitution of San Marino is comprised by a series of six books written in Latin, collectively referred to as the "Statutes of 1600".

Which country has the most flexible constitution in the world?

The British constitution is a classic example of a flexible constitution. It can be passed, amended and repealed by a Simple Majority (50% of the members present and voting) of the Parliament, since no distinction is made between a constitutional law and an ordinary law.

Which country had the first written constitution in the world?

Text solution Verified

  • The United States adopted its written Constitution on June 21, 1788, which became effective in 1789.
  • It is considered the world's first modern written constitution that established the framework of government and guaranteed certain rights.

What is the longest legal document in the world?

India's constitution is the longest in the world. The Indian constitution is neither typed nor printed. It is a handwritten document consisting of 46 articles, 12 schedules and 94 amendments with 145,000 words. It took very long time to frame, which was for two years, 11 months and 17 days.

Which U.S. state has the oldest constitution?

The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, drafted by John Adams, is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787 and became effective in 1789.

Where is the original constitution?

The National Archives in Washington, DC.

What country is #1 in freedom?

According to the latest Human Freedom Index 2025, Switzerland ranks as the #1 freest country, praised for strong rule of law, personal autonomy, and economic freedom, followed closely by Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, and Luxembourg in the top five for overall human freedom.
 

Which country has the best law in the world?

The best judicial system in the world is known to be of the United Kingdom. The UK is known to run as a constitutional monarchy along with a parliamentary democracy, which means that the elected officials manage its government. The country's legal architecture laid a strong foundation for centuries.

Which is the toughest constitution in the world?

Ancient and virtually impervious to amendment, the United States Constitution has withstood all modern efforts to renovate its outdated architecture on elections, federalism, rights, and beyond.

Which country has the greatest constitution in the world?

India has the largest written constitution in the world, while the US Constitution is one of the oldest. Federal Structure: Both countries practice federalism, sharing powers between central and state authorities.

What is Article 371 A to J?

The articles in it range from Article 371 A to J. The clauses have temporary, transitional, and special provisions. The purpose of this article is to protect the interests of the population belonging to backward regions. It further seeks to protect the economic and cultural interests of the population.

Can a constitution be changed easily?

Congress may submit a proposed constitutional amendment to the states, if the proposed amendment language is approved by a two-thirds vote of both houses. Congress must call a convention for proposing amendments upon application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (i.e., 34 of 50 states).