Geographically the third-smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world’s oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named MARINUS in A.D. 301. San Marino’s foreign policy is aligned with that of the EU, although it is not a member. San Marino is negotiating an Association Agreement that is expected to allow participation in the EU’s internal market and cooperation in other policy areas by late 2024. Social and political trends in the republic track closely with those of its larger neighbor, Italy.
Geography
Location
Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates
43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 61 sq km
land: 61 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 227
Area – comparative
about one-third the size of Washington, D.C.
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 37 km
border countries (1): Italy 37 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain
rugged mountains
Elevation
highest point: Monte Titano 739 m
lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m
Natural resources
building stone
Land use
agricultural land: 38.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 33.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 5.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 16.7% (2022 est.)
other: 45% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Natural hazards
occasional earthquakes
Geography – note
landlocked; an enclave of (completely surrounded by) Italy; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennine Mountains
People and Society
Population
total: 35,095 (2024 est.)
male: 16,944
female: 18,151
comparison rankings: total 214; female 214; male 214
Nationality
noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups
Sammarinese, Italian
Languages
Italian
major-language sample(s):
L’Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l’indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Italian audio sample:
Religions
Roman Catholic
Age structure
0-14 years: 14.2% (male 2,614/female 2,387)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 10,916/female 11,648)
65 years and over: 21.5% (2024 est.) (male 3,414/female 4,116)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 22.2 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 33.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 3 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 46.1 years (2024 est.)
male: 44.5 years
female: 47.4 years
comparison ranking: total 14
Population growth rate
0.57% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 144
Birth rate
9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 199
Death rate
8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 63
Net migration rate
5.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 18
Urbanization
urban population: 97.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
4,000 SAN MARINO (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
31.9 years (2019)
Infant mortality rate
total: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 168
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 84.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 81.7 years
female: 87 years
comparison ranking: total population 6
Total fertility rate
1.54 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 195
Gross reproduction rate
0.74 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
Health expenditure
8% of GDP (2021)
29.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
4.63 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
47.7% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
3.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
7.5% national budget (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 132
Literacy
total population: 100% (2022 est.)
male: 100% (2022 est.)
female: 100% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 12 years
male: 13 years
female: 12 years (2021)
Environment
Environment – current issues
air pollution; urbanization decreasing rural farmlands; water shortage
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Land use
agricultural land: 38.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 33.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 5.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 16.7% (2022 est.)
other: 45% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 97.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 9.85 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,175 tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 7,737 tons (2016 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 45.1% (2016 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of San Marino
conventional short form: San Marino
local long form: Repubblica di San Marino
local short form: San Marino
etymology: named after Saint MARINUS, who founded a monastic settlement on Monte Titano in the early 4th century
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: San Marino (city)
geographic coordinates: 43 56 N, 12 25 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: named after Saint MARINUS, who founded a monastic settlement on Monte Titano in the early 4th century
Administrative divisions
9 municipalities (castelli, singular – castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle
Legal system
civil law system with Italian civil law influences
Constitution
history: San Marino’s principal legislative instruments consist of old customs (antiche consuetudini), the Statutory Laws of San Marino (Leges Statutae Sancti Marini), old statutes (antichi statute) from the1600s, Brief Notes on the Constitutional Order and Institutional Organs of the Republic of San Marino (Brevi Cenni sull’Ordinamento Costituzionale e gli Organi Istituzionali della Repubblica di San Marino) and successive legislation, chief among them is the Declaration of the Rights of Citizens and Fundamental Principles of the San Marino Legal Order (Dichiarazione dei Diritti dei Cittadini e dei Principi Fondamentali dell’Ordinamento Sammarinese), approved 8 July 1974
amendment process: proposed by the Great and General Council; passage requires two-thirds majority Council vote; Council passage by absolute majority vote also requires passage in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of San Marino
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: co-chiefs of state Captains Regent Denise BRONZETTI and Italo RIGHI (for the period 1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025)
head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Luca BECCARI (since 8 January 2020)
cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Grand and General Council
elections/appointments: co-chiefs of state (captains regent) indirectly elected by the Grand and General Council for a single 6-month term; election last held on 1 April 2025 (next to be held in September 2025); Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs indirectly elected by the Grand and General Council for a single 5-year term; election last held on 28 December 2019
election results:
2025: Denise BRONZETTI (Reformist Alliance) and Italo RIGHI (Christian Democrat) elected captains regent: percent of Grand and General Council vote – NA
2024: Francesca CIVERCHIA (PDCS) and Dalibor RICCARDI (Free San Marino) elected captains regent; percent of Grand and General Council vote – NA
2019: Luca BECCARI (PDCS) elected Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs; percent of Grand and General Council vote – NA
note: the captains regent preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has seven other members who are selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are seven secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has some prime ministerial roles
Legislative branch
legislature name: Great and General Council (Consiglio grande e generale)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 60 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 6/9/2024
parties elected and seats per party: Christian Democratic Party of San Marino (PDCS) (22); Free (Libera) – Socialist Party (PS) (10); Future Republic (RF) (8); Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD) (8); Tomorrow – Motus Liberi (5); Reformist Alliance (AR) (4); R.E.T.E. Citizens’ Movement (3)
percentage of women in chamber: 35%
expected date of next election: June 2029
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII (consists of 12 members)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Grand and General Council from among its own to serve 5-year terms
subordinate courts: first instance and first appeal criminal, administrative, and civil courts; Court for the Trust and Trustee Relations; justices of the peace or conciliatory judges
note: the College of Guarantors for the Constitutionality and General Norms functions as San Marino’s constitutional court
Political parties
Domani – Modus Liberi or DML
Free San Marino (Libera San Marino) or Libera
Future Republic or RF
Party of Socialists and Democrats or PSD
Reformist Alliance or AR
RETE Movement
Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party or PDCS
Socialist Party or PS
Tomorrow in Movement coalition (includes RETE Movement, DML)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Damiano BELEFFI (since 21 July 2017); note – also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 327 E 50th Street, New York, NY 10022
telephone: [1] (212) 751-1234
FAX: [1] (212) 751-1436
email address and website:
[email protected]
Republic of San Marino Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the United States does not have an Embassy in San Marino; the US Ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino, and the US Consulate General in Florence maintains day-to-day ties
International organization participation
CE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Independence
3 September 301 (traditional founding date)
National holiday
Founding of the Republic (or Feast of Saint Marinus), 3 September (A.D. 301)
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue, with the national coat of arms in the center; the main colors come from the shield on the coat of arms, which features three white towers on mountain peaks on a blue field; the towers represent the Guaita, Cesta, and Montale castles on Mount Titano; a wreath and a crown are around the shield, above a scroll with the word LIBERTAS (Liberty); the white and blue colors are said to stand for peace and liberty
National symbol(s)
three peaks, each displaying a tower
National colors
white, blue
National anthem
name: “Inno Nazionale della Repubblica” (National Anthem of the Republic)
lyrics/music: no lyrics/Federico CONSOLO
note: adopted 1894; the music for the lyric-less anthem is based on a 10th century chorale piece
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: San Marino Historic Center and Mount Titano
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, non-EU European economy; surrounded by Italy, which is the dominant importer and exporter; open border to EU and a euro user; strong financial sector; high foreign investments; low taxation; increasingly high and risky debt
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.393 billion (2022 est.)
$2.218 billion (2021 est.)
$1.947 billion (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 198
Real GDP growth rate
7.9% (2022 est.)
13.9% (2021 est.)
-6.65% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 13
Real GDP per capita
$70,900 (2022 est.)
$64,700 (2021 est.)
$56,000 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 16
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.832 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.2% (2024 est.)
5.9% (2023 est.)
5.3% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 32
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0% (2022 est.)
industry: 37.6% (2022 est.)
services: 55.1% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 123; industry 33; agriculture 211
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 35.5% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 17.1% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 17.8% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 5.2% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 197.4% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -173% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries
tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate
10.72% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 14
Unemployment rate
8.1% (2017 est.)
8.6% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 145
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 27.4% (2016 est.)
male: 21.4%
female: 36%
comparison ranking: total 29
Remittances
1.15% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.13% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.14% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $817.27 million (2022 est.)
expenditures: $816.572 million (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
103.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 18
Taxes and other revenues
17.8% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 103
Current account balance
$284.256 million (2022 est.)
$100.118 million (2021 est.)
$42.98 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 70
Exports
$3.616 billion (2022 est.)
$3.23 billion (2021 est.)
$2.439 billion (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 151
Exports – partners
Germany 12%, Austria 10%, USA 9%, Romania 8%, Brazil 7% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
washing and bottling machines, other foods, packaged medicine, woodworking machines, aircraft (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$3.169 billion (2022 est.)
$2.94 billion (2021 est.)
$2.232 billion (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 163
Imports – partners
Germany 24%, Italy 13%, Netherlands 9%, Spain 9%, Poland 8% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
garments, cars, electricity, animal food, footwear (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$836.088 million (2023 est.)
$716.066 million (2022 est.)
$954.383 million (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 152
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.951 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.877 (2020 est.)
note: while not an EU member state, San Marino, due to its preexisting monetary and banking agreements with Italy, has a 2000 monetary agreement with the EU to produce limited euro coinage—but not banknotes—that began enforcement in January 2002 and was superseded by a new EU agreement in 2012
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 16,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 179
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 41,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 122 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 209
Broadcast media
state-owned public broadcaster operates 1 TV station and 3 radio stations; receives radio and TV broadcasts from Italy (2019)
Internet country code
.sm
Internet users
percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 12,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 182
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T7
Airports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 215
Military and Security
Military and security forces
San Marino Military Corps (Corpi Militari Sammarinesi; aka Sammarinese Armed Forces or Forze Armate Sammarinesi): Fortress Guard Command (or Guard of the Rock), Uniformed Company of the Militias, Guard of the Great and General Council, Corps of the Gendarmerie
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Civil Police Corps (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription; government has the authority to call up all San Marino citizens from 16-60 years of age to serve in the military (2024)
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Italy
