Commonwealth Expansion

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The Commonwealth of Nations, commonly known as the Commonwealth, has expanded over the decades to include a diverse array of member states. Below is a chronological list detailing the dates each country joined or rejoined the Commonwealth, along with pertinent information regarding their admittance:

1931

United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa: These countries became the founding members of the Commonwealth following the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which granted them legislative independence while maintaining a common allegiance to the British Crown.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1947

India: Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947 and chose to remain in the Commonwealth as a republic, recognising the British monarch as the symbolic Head of the Commonwealth.

Pakistan: Achieved independence on 14 August 1947 and joined the Commonwealth. Pakistan left the Commonwealth in 1972 following the recognition of Bangladesh’s independence but rejoined in 1989.

1948

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon): Gained independence on 4 February 1948 and joined the Commonwealth as a dominion. It later became a republic while remaining a member.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1957

Ghana: Became the first African nation to gain independence from colonial rule on 6 March 1957 and joined the Commonwealth.

Malaysia (formerly Malaya): Achieved independence on 31 August 1957 and joined the Commonwealth. In 1963, it expanded to include other territories, forming Malaysia.

1960

Nigeria: Gained independence on 1 October 1960 and joined the Commonwealth.

Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1961

Cyprus: Joined the Commonwealth on 13 March 1961, having gained independence from the United Kingdom the previous year. It was the first small country to join. Sierra Leone: Gained independence on 27 April 1961 and joined the Commonwealth. Tanzania: Tanganyika gained independence on 9 December 1961 and joined the Commonwealth. In 1964, it united with Zanzibar (which had joined the Commonwealth upon its independence on 10 December 1963) to form Tanzania.

1962

Jamaica: Gained independence on 6 August 1962 and joined the Commonwealth. Trinidad and Tobago: Achieved independence on 31 August 1962 and became a member of the Commonwealth. Uganda: Gained independence on 9 October 1962 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1963

Kenya: Gained independence on 12 December 1963 and joined the Commonwealth.

1964

Malawi: Formerly Nyasaland, it gained independence on 6 July 1964 and joined the Commonwealth. Malta: Gained independence on 21 September 1964 and joined the Commonwealth. Zambia: Formerly Northern Rhodesia, it gained independence on 24 October 1964 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1965

The Gambia: Gained independence on 18 February 1965 and joined the Commonwealth.

1966

Guyana: Formerly British Guiana, it gained independence on 26 May 1966 and joined the Commonwealth. Botswana: Formerly Bechuanaland Protectorate, it gained independence on 30 September 1966 and joined the Commonwealth. Lesotho: Formerly Basutoland, it gained independence on 4 October 1966 and joined the Commonwealth. Barbados: Gained independence on 30 November 1966 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1968

Mauritius: Gained independence on 12 March 1968 and joined the Commonwealth. Swaziland (now Eswatini): Gained independence on 6 September 1968 and joined the Commonwealth.

1970

Fiji: Gained independence on 10 October 1970 and joined the Commonwealth. Fiji has had periods of suspension due to political developments but remains a member. Tonga: Joined the Commonwealth on 4 June 1970 upon gaining independence.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1973

The Bahamas: Gained independence on 10 July 1973 and joined the Commonwealth.

1974

Grenada: Gained independence on 7 February 1974 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1975

Papua New Guinea: Gained independence on 16 September 1975 and joined the Commonwealth.

1976

Seychelles: Gained independence on 29 June 1976 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat

1978

Dominica: Gained independence on 3 November 1978 and joined the Commonwealth. Solomon Islands: Gained independence on 7 July 1978 and joined the Commonwealth. Tuvalu: Gained independence on 1 October 1978 and joined the Commonwealth.

1979

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Gained independence on 27 October 1979 and joined the Commonwealth. Kiribati: Gained independence on 12 July 1979 and joined the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat