How many sultanates are there in the world?

From the Arabian Peninsula to the island of Borneo, two countries share a distinctive form of monarchy that sets them apart on the world map: Oman and Brunei.

Both are sovereign states ruled by sultans, making them the world’s two contemporary sovereign sultanates, although their official names differ.

Oman is officially known as the Sultanate of Oman, while Brunei’s official name is Brunei Darussalam, meaning “Brunei, Abode of Peace”.

The two countries are separated by thousands of kilometres, yet share a political tradition in which the Sultan serves as head of state. Oman is led by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, while Brunei is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Oman, located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, has a long history of maritime trade and connections across the Indian Ocean. Brunei, situated on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia, has its own centuries-old royal heritage.

Despite their geographical distance and different histories, the two countries maintain diplomatic relations and cooperation across several sectors.

The distinction also highlights an interesting point about the world’s political map: while monarchies exist in various forms, the title of Sultan remains relatively rare among sovereign states.

For Oman, the title is not simply a feature of its official name but a central part of its national identity and ruling system.