Commonwealth: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 14, 2026

News •

Same-Sex Relations Decriminalized in Trinidad by a Court in Britain • Nov. 11, 2026, 5:36 PM ET (New York Times)

Canadian passport ranks in Top 5 among Commonwealth nations • Nov. 5, 2026, 1:06 PM ET (Toronto Sun)

Slavery reparations 'not feasible' for UK, Foreign Secretary Ed Milliband says • Nov. 4, 2026, 6:13 AM ET (Euronews)

King Charles sidesteps calls for apology, reparations at Commonwealth meeting • Nov. 3, 2026, 3:30 PM ET (Globe and Mail)

King Charles says he is determined to build a better future after shame of slavery • Nov. 2, 2026, 5:37 PM ET (Straits Times)

Facts

Also Known As	Commonwealth of Nations • British Commonwealth of Nations
Date	1931 - present
Areas Of Involvement	human rights • Culture • trade • investment
Related People	Lionel George Curtis

Photos

Commonwealth flag

World map highlighting the member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations in dark blue, spanning regions of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Pacific, and including Australia and Canada. Below the map, a timeline shows when each country joined the Commonwealth, with key dates and country names listed from the 1930s through the 2020s.

Fireworks burst over the River Clyde at night, reflecting in the water, with brightly lit modern buildings and a large crane illuminated in blue in Glasgow, Scotland.

See All Images →

Topics

European Union United Nations North Atlantic Treaty Organization OPEC World Health Organization International Monetary Fund League of Nations World Trade Organization United Nations Security Council Commonwealth of Independent States

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic