How many countries are in the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth of Nations is a political association of 56 member countries, which are mostly former territories of the British Empire. This membership includes countries from diverse geographical regions, cultures, and economic backgrounds, reflecting a wide array of interests and historical ties to one another and to the UK.

Being accurate in this context is essential as the number of Commonwealth member states can sometimes change due to countries joining or leaving the association, but as of the latest update, the total stands firmly at 56. The Commonwealth promotes shared values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, which serve to promote cooperation and mutual respect among its members.

In the context of the other options, while 49, 60, and 52 may have been relevant figures in different contexts or in previous years, they do not reflect the current and accurate count of Commonwealth member countries. The figure of 56 is the most reliable and upheld by official Commonwealth documentation and resources.