In a recent post by the “World of Statistics” on social media, intriguing insights were shared regarding the word counts of some of the world’s largest national constitutions.
The new data shows that Nigeria has the world’s second-largest national constitution.
Constitutions, which lay the groundwork for governance and the legal frameworks of nations, vary significantly in their length and complexity.
Here is a list of countries with their respective constitution word counts:
- India → 146,385 words
- Nigeria → 66,263 words
- Brazil → 64,488 words
- Mexico → 57,087 words
- Pakistan → 56,240 words
- Zimbabwe → 55,883 words
Notably, India leads the list with an extensive constitution of 146,385 words, reflecting the intricate nature of its governance. Nigeria follows as the second-largest, with a constitution containing 66,263 words.
Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe also boast substantial constitutional documents.
The figures underscore the diversity and depth of legal and governance frameworks worldwide, emphasizing the intricate and multifaceted nature of the legal foundations on which nations operate.
The length and complexity of these constitutions indicate the intricate systems and structures that shape the governance and legal landscape in each of these countries.
Meanwhile, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, has said that the way forward for Nigeria is a new constitution to arrest the ongoing deterioration of the situation in the country.
Anyaoku says that to achieve the desired transformation for the better, the country needs a system of government that addresses Nigeria’s diversity and is based on a constitution that can correctly be described as the Nigerian people’s constitution.