Prefer your holidays without hordes of tourists and bustling crowds in sight?
If so, you’re in luck, as the five least-visited countries around the world have been revealed by the United Nations World Population Review.
It ranks countries by how many visitors they see each year – and some have just a few thousand, in comparison to popular European nations welcoming in millions.
Some of these are little-known destinations thousands of miles away, while others are previously popular spots that have been affected by natural disasters.
Here’s a rundown of the five least-visited countries around the world…
1. Kiribati: Annual visitors 9,500
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The least-visited country in the world has been revealed as Kiribati
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Made up of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, Kiribati lies between Australia and Hawaii – and is the only country in the world to touch all four hemispheres.
‘When you try to find it on a map, you can barely tell it’s there,’ the World Population Review says of the remote island nation.
According to the most recent data, Kiribati sees a max of 9,500 visitors each year.
Kiribati is also the first country in the world to celebrate the New Year due to its placement.
To get there, travellers can fly from Fiji to Tarawa, Kiribati, with Fiji Airways or from neighbouring country Nauru to Tarawa with Nauru Airlines.
International travellers can expect a long journey. From London to Tarawa, the journey can last up to 35 hours or longer.
Return flights from London start from £4,400 – although they can be infrequent and complex.
2. Marshall Islands: Annual visitors 6,000
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In second place is the Marshall Islands, a beach haven with a complex history
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Should more people visit these hidden gems or are they better preserved without mass tourism?
With around 6,000 visitors arriving each year according to the lastest 2024 data, the Marshall Islands – consisting of 29 coral atolls and five single coral islands – is the second least-visited country in the world.
With white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and diverse marine life and flora (including more than 160 species of coral), it’s a perfect destination if you’re seeking an under-the-radar beach vacation.
The islands are also deeply rooted in Second World War history, having served as a Japanese base and then as the site of nuclear testing for the US military.
But getting there from the UK is not easy – flights can cost up to a staggering £21,000 and can involve almost 60 hours of travel, with layovers in places such as Honolulu.
3. Niue: Annual visitors 9,000
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Next up on the list is Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean
Located in the South Pacific, Niue – regarded as one of the smallest nations on the globe – sees approximately 9,000 visitors per year, according to National Geographic.
With only 1,900 inhabitants, the tourist board says: ‘Niue is a place where it’s normal for complete strangers to wave at each other, all the time. It’s a place where nature hasn’t been broken… and things are “the way they used to be”.’
Niue also reportedly has no traffic lights – the roads are quiet and there are no queues.
The tourism board explains: ‘Niue has no traffic lights and only one petrol station. With quiet roads, minimal traffic, and no need to hurry, you can forget about rush hour and embrace a leisurely drive. But if you do have to stop at an intersection, it’s usually just to let a flock of chickens cross the road – and rest assured, they’re on island time too!’
You’ll have to think ahead if you’d like to visit, though.
Niue currently operates two three-hour flights per week from Auckland, New Zealand, to Niue’s International Airport, Hannan (IUE).
Thankfully, Niue’s main town, Alofi, is less than five minutes from the airport.
Flights from the UK to Auckland start from £366 one way, while you can travel from there on to Niue for £160 also one way – a total of £526.
4. Micronesia: Annual visitors 18,000
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In fourth place is Micronesia, which is situated in the North Pacific Ocean
Welcoming just 18,000 visitors per year according to the latest pre-pandemic figures, the islands of Micronesia are scattered across the North Pacific Ocean, between the Marshall Islands and Palau.
The tourism board explains: ‘Spread across nearly a million square miles of ocean north of the equator, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) boasts unparalleled cultural and biological diversity.
‘Home to the world’s greatest coral reefs and best pelagic fisheries, FSM is a remote paradise that promises adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.’
It’s also home to the world’s only ancient city built on a coral reef, the UNESCO-listed Nan Madol – which has the remains of stone palaces, temples and tombs dating back 1,000 years.
You can find flights from £6,170 from London to Chuuk – but you might need to stop at least twice, and journeys can take as long as 50 hours.
5. Montserrat: Annual visitors
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Rounding out the top five least-visited countries around the world is Montserrat
The mountainous Caribbean island is part of the Lesser Antilles chain and is a British Overseas Territory.
It used to be a popular tourist destination.
However, a volcanic eruption in 1995 ravaged the island, including its capital city, Plymouth, and encouraged two thirds of its population to emigrate to other countries.
There are no direct flights to Montserrat, but travellers can fly to the neighbouring island of Antigua and catch a ferry or a flight to Montserrat.
Fares tend to start from around £1,000 for a return trip as the cheapest option.
Fun fact? It’s also the only country outside of Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday.
Credit: Daily Mail
