The security and protection of one’s country is determined on the number of established armed forces that will protect rights, freedom, and peace of its citizens. It has become a mandated order so as to maintain harmony and policies that exist within the country. Their primary purpose is to defend all threats against orderly process that the people enjoy. They are not formed to create chaotic conditions to the minds and hearts of the masses, but to secure and assure the peace and order against war, terrorism, human rights violations, and others. However, would you believe that there are countries that are keeping the solidarity, friendship, and tranquility without an army within its territory? Get to know these top 10 countries without armed forces but are still maintaining the bloodless and neutral condition of their nations. What are their secrets, and how do they preserve and carry this type of governance?

10. Andorra

Photo Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/andorra/

This country has a total population of 85,293 as estimation for its 2013 report. Its official language is Catalan, but other spoken languages are Castilian, French, and Portuguese. Roman Catholic is the most dominant religion in this country while majority of the population comes from the Spanish group followed by 33% Andorran, 11% Portuguese, 7% French, and 6% belongs to other nationalities. They are under the parliamentary democracy, and they don’t have military forces or branches. Although there is a Police Service in Andorra which was formed in 2011, but their defense is a sole responsibility of Spain and France as part of the treaty that they have signed with them.

9. Palau

Photo Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/palau/

It is also known as a Republic of Palau that is situated in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is technically part of Micronesia. Its capital is Melekeok, and their official languages are Palauan and English. They were under the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific for three decades before they enjoyed total independence in 1978, but their liberty was fully acknowledged in 1994 when they entered the Compact Free Association. They don’t have military forces, but they have established the Palau National Police in 2009 since the defense assistance is being provided by the US through the agreement that they signed on October 1, 1994.

8. Kiribati

Photo Source: http://thelittleislandthatcould.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/kiribati-relocating-to-fiji/

It is situated in the central tropical Pacific Ocean, and its capital is South Tarawa. It’s government type is parliamentary republic and its last population count in 2011 has reached to 101,093. The languages spoken in this country are Kiribati and English. According to history, it was first known as Gilbert Islands in 1892 under the British protectorate. Hence, when UK approved their self-rule in 1971, its total independence followed in 1979, and their name was changed to Kiribati.  There was no military forces formed since it is being prevented by the constitution that they have established, but they have a police force since 2011.

7. Vatican City

Photo Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/country/vt-holy-see-vatican-city

It is officially known as Vatican City State or Stato della Citta del Vaticano that has 836 population recorded in 2012. The government type that they follow is under the Ecclesiastical Ruling or Absolute Monarchy, Elective and Theocracy since this is the center of Roman Catholicism where the higher authority of religion resides, which is known as the Pope. Through the Lateran Treaties made in 1929, Vatican City became an independent state. There are limited securities being sent in this country since the primary defense is vested in Italy as part of the treaty signed in 1929.

6. Grenada

Photo Source: http://www.cbt.cc/grenada.php

Its population is about 90,739 and Saint George is its capital city. It is one of the smallest countries in the Western Hemisphere that carries and uses English as its official language. It is popularly known as a “Spice Island” because of its production of cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his trail, and it’s being inhabited then by the Carib Indians. Its full independence started when Britain granted autonomy to them for its internal affairs in 1967, but they have enjoyed it at the beginning of 1974. It does not maintain military forces, but they only have a Royal Grenade Police Force since 2010, which also includes the Coast Guard.

5. Costa Rica

Photo Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Costa_Rica

In Spanish, it is known as Republica de Costa Rica or Republic in Costa Rica in English, which is situated in Central America. Its population has reached over 4 million while maintaining the Democtratic Republic Government. For several centuries, they were known as part of the Spanish colony since 16th century. Its first declaration of independence from Spain happened in 1821, and in 1838, their full sovereignty and freedom has been achieved after the disintegration of Federation which they were belong to during that time. They dissolved military forces in 1949, and it became one of the most progressive countries, especially in economic development, largely covering the agricultural sector, tourism, and technology industries.

4. Liechtenstein

Photo Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/liechtenstein/

This is popularly known as Landlocked Alpine Country found in Central Europe carrying the capital of Vaduz. Its official language is German while maintaining Unitary State, Constitutional Monarchy, and Parliamentary System. It was once occupied by Russian and French troops, but declared as a sovereign state in 1815 under the Germanic Confederation. Nonetheless, when it was dissolved 1866, its full independence was attained. It became associated in Austria when World War 1 ceased, but made a monetary merger with Switzerland because of the devastating economic downfall. They don’t have military forces being maintained, and they are only relying to close-neighbor countries after they abolished it in 1868 because of the costly evaluation of it in country’s overall expenditures. Hence, they have a SWAT and Police team that carries out internal duties.

3. Marshall Islands

Photo Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/marshall-islands/

It is located in Northern Pacific Ocean with a total population of 54,816 and Majuro as its capital city. It was under the US administration for almost four decades before achieving total freedom and sovereignty in 1986 because of the Compact of Free Association. They don’t have any organized military forces except for the Marshall Islands Police, which was formed in 2012 because the United States is responsible in providing security to their country under the Compact of Free Association.

2. Tuvalu

Photo Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/tuvalu/

Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu while carrying a 9,847 population, which was recorded in 2011. Its official languages are Tuvalun and English, while maintaining a Parliamentary system, constitutional monarchy, non-partisan democracy, and Representative democracy. Due to ethnic conflicts that transpired under the British Colony, separation of Gilbert from Ellice Islands took place, which resulted to the colonialism of Tuvalu from the British Colony in 1978. They only have the Tuvalu Police Force, but since its independence, it did not maintain or form any military force.

1. Federated States of Micronesia

Photo Source: http://coris.noaa.gov/portals/micronesia.html

It is one of the four states of Micronesia that maintains independent sovereign island status and its capital is Palikir. English is their official language and its population has reached 111,542 based on the last count recorded in 2011. Like some countries on this list, it also joined the Compact of Free Association in 1986, which was renewed in 2004. It has four administrative divisions such as Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. It has no military forces after its declaration of independence. They have a Maritime Surveillance Unit that takes care of the internal security, but United States is solely responsible of their defense because of the Compact of Free Association that Federated States of Micronesia signed.