The smallest unit of local government varies by country, but generally:
- In many countries, the municipality or township is considered the smallest formal local government unit responsible for local administration and services
- In the Philippines , the smallest local government unit is the barangay , which is a political subdivision below municipalities and cities. Barangays have their own elected officials and handle local governance at the community level
- In urban areas , the smallest administrative unit within a city is often called a ward , which serves as the basic building block for urban governance and is represented by an elected councillor
- In some contexts, such as certain traditional or rural settings, even smaller units like elderships (e.g., in Pakistan) or village councils may exist as the smallest local government units
Summary:
Country/Context| Smallest Local Government Unit
---|---
General (many countries)| Municipality or Township
Philippines| Barangay
Urban areas (general)| Ward
Pakistan (some areas)| Eldership or Union Council
Thus, the smallest local government unit depends on the country and administrative structure, but commonly it is the municipality, barangay, or ward
