The Commonwealth has 56 member countries and 2.7 billion people, more than 60 percent of them aged 29 or under

Background

The Commonwealth is made up of 56 independent countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.
Its member countries include some of the world's biggest, smallest, richest and poorest countries.
Thirty-three of the world's 42 small states are Commonwealth members, each with a population of 1.5 million or less.
The Commonwealth Secretariat says 2.7 billion people live in Commonwealth countries, and more than 60 percent of them are aged 29 or under.
All Commonwealth members have an equal say regardless of size or wealth.
Leaders of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities, and meet every two years at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.