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Neutral Countries in World War II

Neutral Countries in World War II: compare 21 countries on 1 metric.

History21 countries · 1 metricUpdated Aug 15, 2023Original page
6 sources

Data

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21 countries
AfghanistanRemained neutral, but traded with Axis
AndorraRemained neutral, but served as smuggling route for Axis
ArgentinaRemained neutral, but maintained trade relations with UK and allowed Argentinians to volunteer to serve in Allied forces. Technically declared war on Japan, and by extension Germany in March. 1945, but the war's outcome had already been decided and Argentina took no military a…
BhutanRemained neutral, but sent India "friendship gift" of 100,000 rupees at start of war
EstoniaRemained neutral, but was occupied by both Russia, which established a puppet government and annexed the state; and Germany, which conscripted thousands of Estonians into the German army
IcelandRemained neutral, but was occupied first by the U.K. and later the U.S. and cooperated with its occupiers
IranRemained neutral, but refused to expel German residents and was subsequently invaded and occupied by Britain and Russia
IrelandRemained neutral, but did send fire engines to England and share intelligence and naval repair yards with Allies
LatviaRemained neutral, but was occupied by both Russia and Germany and eventually annexed by Russia
LiechtensteinRemained neutral, gave asylum to both Jewish refugees and pro-Axis Russian soldiers
LithuaniaRemained neutral, but was occupied by and eventually annexed by Russia
MonacoRemained neutral, but was occupied by Italy and Germany, secretly warned suspects when German Gestapo was on the way to arrest them
PortugalRemained neutral, but sold tungsten to Germany (but in limited amounts), allowed U.K. and U.S. to build/use bases in Portuguese territory (which arguably flipped its status from neutral to "Allied non-combatant"), served as safe haven and transit point for Jews seeking to esca…
San MarinoRemained neutral, very briefly occupied when battle spilled into San Marino's territory, technically declared war on Germany in late 1944, but to no great effect
Saudi ArabiaRemained neutral, but sold oil to Allies and allowed U.S. to build airbase on Saudi land. Technically declared war on Germany in Feb. 1945, but the war's outcome had already been decided and Saudis took no military action
SpainInitially claimed neutrality, but then switced to "non-belligerent" and assisted the Axis with tungsten and volunteer troops, re-establised neutrality once it became clear Axis were likely to lose
SwedenBegan neutral, but switched to "non-belligerent" and sold iron to Axis and reluctantly allowed Axis forces to pass through Swedish territory, shared intelligence and later airbases with Allies, took in refugees, leased naval vessels to Britain,
SwitzerlandRemained neutral, but captured any soldiers from either side who landed at Swiss airfields, shot down aircraft from both sides that violated its airspace, and maintained trade and financial relationships with both sides.
TurkeyRemained neutral, but signed friendship agreements and sold chromite to both sides. Technically declared war on Germany in Feb. 1945, but the war's outcome had already been decided and Turkey took no military action
Vatican CityRemained neutral as it was legally bound to do by the Lateran Treaty of 1929
YemenRemained neutral despite pre-existing alliance with Italy

Quick answers

Where does this neutral countries in world war ii data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Neutral Countries in World War 2 - Study; Neutral Powers During World War II - Wiki; The economics of neutrality in World War II - Vox EU; The Countries that Remained Neutral in WWII - World Atlas.

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