Victoria 3: Best Starting Nations [Top 8]

Victoria 3 has tons of nations for you to choose from. Click on any location on the map, and a new nation will be waiting for you to choose it. With that many options, it becomes harder to consider which one to begin with. So we have come up with our list of 8 Best Starting Nations for players of Victoria 3. It will have some interesting choices for you.

Victoria 3 Best Starting Nations Compared

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Sweden	17th	- GDP: 3.4M - Population: 2.8M - Literacy: 51.6% - SOL: 10.4	- Prospecting - Lathe - Steelworking - Distillation	- Drydocks - Napoleonic Warfar - Paddle Steamer - Army Reserves	- Coal - Iron - Lead - Textile Mills - Paper Mills - Arms Industries
Belgium	16th	- GPD: 3.3M - Population: 3.98M - Literacy: 42.4% - SOL: 10.7	- Prospecting - Intensive Agriculture - Distillation - Railways	- Drydocks - Screw Frigate - Power of the Purse - General Staff - Percussion Cap - Napoleonic Warfare	- Wheat Farm - Livestock Ranch - Wood - Coal - Iron - Lead - Fish
United States of America	6th	- GDP: 18.8M - Population: 15.7M - Literacy: 43.4% - SOL: 11.7	- Prospecting - Intensive Agriculture - Railways	- Percussion Cap - Drydocks - Power of the Purse - General Staff - Screw Frigate - Napoleonic Warfare	- Fabric - Ammuniation - Furninature - Clothes - Sugar - Luxury Furniture - Sulfur - Dye - Coffee - Luxury Clothes
Japanese Shogunate	15th	- GPD: 14.6M - Population: 31.0M - Literacy: 21.4% - SOL: 10	- Prospecting - Steelworking - Distillation	- Drydocks - Admiralty - Military Drill - Artillery	- Rubber - Silk - Dye
Brazil	18th	- GDP: 5.8M - Population: 4.64M - Literacy: 14.5% - SOL: 9.2	- Prospecting - Steelworking - Distillation - Cotton Gin	- Drydocks - Admiralty - Army Reserves - Artillery	- Coffee Plantation - Amazon Rainforest - Hardwood Production - Logging Camps - Pampas - Pantanal - Oil - Rubber - Sulfur
Kingdom of Two Sicilies	11th	- GDP: 3.83M - Population: 7.06M - Literacy: 15.7% - SOL: 9.1	- Cotton Gin - Prospecting - Steelworking - Distillation	- Army Reserves - Drydocks - Admiralty - Artillery	- Coal - Iron - Sulfur Mines - Sicilian Sulfur Deposits
Cape Colony	33rd	- GDP: 557K - Population 793K - Literacy: 33.3% - SOL: 11.8	N/A	N/A	- Coal - Iron Mines - Loggin Camps - Wheat Farms - Cotton Plantations - Livestock Ranches - Tea Plantations
Ottoman Empire	9th	- GDP: 14.1M - 19.6M - Literacy: 16.41% - SOL: 9.5	N/A	N/A	- Iron - Coal - Tea Plantations

1. Sweden

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Sweden	17th	– GDP: 3.4 M – Population: 2.8 M – Literacy: 51.6% – SOL: 10.4	– Prospecting – Lathe – Steelworking – Distillation	– Drydocks – Napoleonic Warfare – Paddle Steamer – Army Reserves	– Coal – Iron – Lead – Textile Mills – Paper Mills – Arms Industries

One of the early nations that you can play in the game is the nation of Sweden. Sweden in itself is the best nation for starting, and there are several reasons why. First, the game itself believes it is one of the best nations for starters. The developers have added the nation to its tutorial of ‘Learn to game’.

Sweden is a Medium-sized nation in the continent of Europe. With Sweden, you get direct access to the sea, which means you can trade with other nations from the beginning. Not only that, as a European nation, you’ll have access to high research from the beginning. 

The game starts with Finland losing to the Russian Empire and Sweden forming a union with Norway. Initially, your progress is slow, but as you advance, you’ll unlock a formidable navy, allowing you to conquer the Germanic states and establish colonies. Alternatively, thanks to huge iron and coal deposits and ample lumber in Sweden, you can focus on internal development.

Sweden, in itself, is a Minor power that sits at the 17th rank. Even with a €5.01M GDP, there won’t be much going on. You’ll have to utilize your 2.79M population to make your nation great.

2. Belgium

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Belgium	16th	– GPD: 3.3 M – Population: 3.98 M – Literacy: 42.4% – SOL: 10.7	– Prospecting – Intensive Agriculture – Distillation – Railways	– Drydocks – Screw Frigate – Power of the Purse – General Staff – Percussion Cap – Napoleonic Warfare	– Wheat Farm – Livestock Ranch – Wood – Coal – Iron – Lead – Fish

Another great contender for the best-starting nations is none other than Belgium. It is another nation that the developers added in their ‘Learn to Game’ Tutorial. The nation is in a good strategic position.

Even though Belgium is relatively small, with only two states, it favors you. You won’t have to do much and work with keeping things relatively simple for you. Even though Belgium is a small nation, you’ll be richer than other nations of that size and relatively advanced in industries.

Belgium, with no colonies, initially focused on strengthening its army and navy. Players can later choose between conquering Germanic states or colonizing Africa. It’s a good starting nation for new players, ranked 16th with a €6.30M GDP and 4.07M population, but neighboring threats require prepared armies.

3. United States Of America

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
United States of America	6th	– GDP: 18.8M – Population: 15.7M – Literacy: 43.4% – SOL: 11.7	– Prospecting – Intensive Agriculture – Railways	– Percussion Cap – Drydocks – Power of the Purse – General Staff – Screw Frigate – Napoleonic Warfare	– Fabric – Ammunition – Furniture – Clothes – Sugar – Luxury Furniture – Sulfur – Dye – Coffee – Luxury Clothes

For the players who believe they can have world dominion, if they have the right tools, the United States of America would be their go-to nation. You’ll be away from all the fights happening in Europe, so you’ll have more than enough time to prosper as a great nation.

The resource-rich United States offers rapid nation-building potential with a growing population. You should consider uniting decentralized states, strengthening ties with Texas, and expanding into Mexico. You can dominate Africa and seek global European allies as a powerful nation. Starting as the 6th-ranked nation in Victoria 3, the United States boasts a €29.6M GDP.

4. Japanese Shogunate

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Japanese Shogunate	15th	– GPD: 14.6 M – Population: 31.0 M – Literacy: 21.4% – SOL: 10	– Prospecting – Steelworking – Distillation	– Drydocks – Admiralty – Military Drill – Artillery	– Rubber – Silk – Dye

Japanese Shogunate or Japan is an interesting nation to play as. The country is governed by Shogunate which has kept the country backward compared to other nations in the world. Even though the country ranks 15th, it has made no such progress toward industrialization.

You will have to slowly and gradually make progress in your country. Improve its industries slowly take power from the Shogunate, completely changing your country’s government.

For a relaxed gameplay experience, Japan offers resource-rich opportunities for self-industrialization and self-sufficiency. Alternatively, you should aim to disempower the Shogunate, industrialize, and introduce trade. A rewarding journey for government transformation enthusiasts.

Despite its backwardness, the Japanese Shogunate holds the 15th rank with a GDP of €14.8M and a population of 31.1M, providing high labor for your nation’s advancement.

5. Brazil

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Brazil	18th	– GDP: 5.8 M – Population: 4.64 M – Literacy: 14.5% – SOL: 9.2	– Prospecting – Steelworking – Distillation – Cotton Gin	– Drydocks – Admiralty – Army Reserves – Artillery	– Coffee Plantation – Amazon Rainforest – Hardwood Production – Logging Camps – Pampas – Pantanal – Oil – Rubber – Sulfur

If you want to play the power role in the South American continent, then Brazil would be your best bet. In smaller powers that are fighting for their recognition, Brazil stands strong. You’ll have to strengthen your economy further and then use that strength to muster a powerful army. With Brazil, your goal would be to take over South America.

There are few direct threats to Brazil, but the game starts with battles on two fronts, introducing its war system. You’ll enjoy relative safety from powerful nations, allowing you to focus on internal growth. Build a strong army to secure your borders and expand your dominion by conquering or subjugating other nations.

Always be prepared for potential world power invasions. A robust army ensures territorial defense and regional strength. Overall, a prosperous gameplay with Brazil awaits. Brazil ranks 18th globally, boasting a €7.14M GDP. So you can dominate South America with its 4.64M starting population.

6. Kingdom Of Two Sicilies

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Kingdom of Two Sicilies	11th	– GDP: 3.83 M – Population: 7.06 M – Literacy: 15.7% – SOL: 9.1	– Cotton Gin – Prospecting – Steelworking – Distillation	– Army Reserves – Drydocks – Admiralty – Artillery	– Coal – Iron – Sulfur Mines – Sicilian Sulfur Deposits

One of the underrated nations in Victoria 3 that are the best for starting players is the Kingdom of Two Sicily. Two Sicilies is in a great strategic position. It is right in the middle of the Mediterranean, meaning you’ll have access to all the nations. Initially, your first goal would be to form Italy and, from there, world dominion.

Now, as Italy, you’ll be late to the party of colonizing other countries. But since you’re in the Mediterranean, you’ll have the whole of Africa right there for the grasp. Italy starts with good resources that you can use in your favor.

The Kingdom of Two Sicilies seems like an average country. But in reality, it is a powerful nation. It ranks as the 11th-best nation in the world. The GDP is quite high at €7.30M for a population of 7.03M. You can use the high GPD and population to make Italy great again.

7. Cape Colony

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Cape Colony	33rd	– GDP: 557 K – Population 793 K – Literacy: 33.3% – SOL: 11.8	N/A	N/A	– Coal – Iron Mines – Loggin Camps – Wheat Farms – Cotton Plantations – Livestock Ranches – Tea Plantations

One of the interesting nations in the game is Cape Colony. Now, Cape Colony itself isn’t powerful as its overlord, Great Britain, governs it. But it gives you a good advantage over other nations of Africa.

You’ll start with an okay GDP and a relatively good population. So, you’ll have the opportunity to go two different ways. First, the best way would be to make yourself a strong nation. Increase your infrastructure and make yourself a powerful nation. From there, you’ll have to get independence from Great Britain.

If you don’t want to go through all that diplomatic stuff, you can straight up use the British as your ally. That way, you’ll be building an economy in another economy. Once you have made a good foothold here, you can move North toward Africa.

Cape Colony doesn’t have anything to show off as a nation. It is in the 33rd Rank. The Cape Colony has a low GDP of €577K, which doesn’t seem good, but it’s one of the highest in the region. You can utilize your 793K population to conquer Africa.

8. Ottoman Empire

Country	Rank	Economy	Production Tech	Military Tech	Resources
Ottoman Empire	9th	– GDP: 14.1 M – 19.6 M – Literacy: 16.41% – SOL: 9.5	N/A	N/A	– Iron – Coal – Tea Plantations

Ottoman Empire is an interesting nation in Victoria 3. An empire that once was the biggest threat to Europe is now taking its last breaths. You’ll have to take it back to its former glory through several considerable decisions.

Starting as the Ottoman Empire, you must address various challenges in your path. Your Journal will outline essential objectives to ensure the empire’s survival during the Industrial Revolution. While you expand your territory, strengthening your nation is crucial.

Once you complete the Journal Entries, you can confront Russia and Austria, but you have only 19 years to recover. You must accomplish at least four of the seven challenging tasks during this time.

These tasks may seem difficult, but with practice, no power can hinder your progress. Failure risks granting power to Greece and transforming the once-great Ottoman Empire into Byzantium. Contrary to its name, the Sick Man of Europe has a GDP of €15.3M and a population of 19.5M, ranking 9th.

Remember, each nation we mentioned is one of the best-starting nations a new Victoria 3 player can choose. These nations are unique in their traits, which makes the gameplay of these nations quite interesting. With that, we end our Victoria 3 Best Starting Nation Guide!