In the capital city is the Biblioteca di Stato, containing a library of some 110,000 books, documents, and pamphlets. There is also a museum in Borgia Maggiore devoted to objects connected with Garibaldi's stay in the republic. The Palazzo del Valloni also houses the state archives, as well as a collection of rare coins and medals. The State University has a small collection of 23,000 volumes. The Palazzo del Governo (built in 1894) and most other large buildings in the capital are of comparatively recent date, but many monuments have been rebuilt in an earlier style. In 2001, there were 10 museums in the country. One of them is devoted to the postage stamps of San Marino and other countries. The National Gallery of Modern Art is also in San Marino. The 14th-century church of San Francesco has paintings by several minor masters. The three old fortresses of Guaita, Fratta, and Montale are situated on the three pinnacles of Mt. Titano.

In 1998, there were 3 FM radio stations and one television station receiving mostly foreign broadcasts. There were 595 radios and 357 television sets per 1,000 population in 1997. An automatic telephone system, integrated into Italy's system, served 18,000 telephones in 1998. The same year, there were an additional 3,010 mobile cellular phones in use throughout the country.

In 2002, there were five major daily newspapers: Il Nuovo Titano (circulation 1,300), Riscossa Socialista, Notiziario, San Marino, and La Scintilia. There are also a number of government bulletins.

The law provides for freedom of speech and of the press and the government generally respects these rights in practice.

Giambattista Belluzzi, a 16th-century military engineer in the service of Florence, was born in San Marino. Well-known Italians who were associated with San Marino include Cardinal Giulio Alberoni (1664–1752), who attempted to subject the republic to papal domination in 1739–40; Count Alessandro Cagliostro (Giuseppe Balsamo, 1743–95), a Sicilian adventurer, imposter, and alchemist; Bartolommeo Borghesi (1781–1860), an antiquarian, epigrapher, and numismatist, who resided in San Marino from 1821 to 1860; and Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–82), the great Italian patriot, who obtained refuge from the Austrians in San Marino in 1849.

Public health institutions include the State Hospital (opened in 1975), a dispensary for the poor, and a laboratory of hygiene and prophylaxis. All citizens receive free, comprehensive medical care. As of 1990, there were 2.5 physicians, 5.1 nurses, 0.3 midwives, 0.4 dentists, and 0.5 pharmacists per 1,000 people.

As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at, respectively, 10.6 and 7.8 per 1,000 people. Estimated average life expectancy was 81.3 years and infant mortality was estimated at 6.1 per 1,000 live births. As of 1996, the estimated maternal mortality was 5 per 100,000 live births.

The immunization rates for children under one year old in San Marino were as follows as of 1996: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 93%; polio, 100%; measles, 96%; and hepatitis B, 98%. No polio cases were reported in 1995 and only two tuberculosis cases were reported in 1994. One case of AIDS was reported in 1992.

Primary education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 14; the adult literacy rate is about 98%. The program of instruction is patterned after the Italian curriculum, and San Marinese school certificates are recognized by Italy. Children go through five years of primary education followed by three years of secondary education at the first stage and a further five years of higher secondary and pre-university education. In 1997, there were 14 elementary schools, with 1,170 students and 221 teachers. Student-to-teacher ratio stood at five to one. Middle and upper-secondary schools enrolled 1,192 pupils during the same year. San Marinese students are able to pursue higher education at Italian universities. There are also vocational training schools and a technical institute.

The government derives its revenues mainly from the worldwide sale of postage stamps, direct and indirect taxes, and yearly subsidies by the Italian government. State budgets have increased sharply in recent years.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that in 2000 San Marino's central government took in revenues of approximately $400 million and had expenditures of $400 million.

A social insurance system provides pensions for old-age and disability. Survivorship benefits are payable to an unemployed widow or widower and discontinue upon remarriage. Employers, employees, and the government all contribute to the system. There is universal medical coverage and maternity benefits of 100% of earnings for five months. All employees and self-employed persons have work injury insurance.

The law mandates that women have equal access to employment opportunities, and in practice women face little or no discrimination in employment and in pay. Women actively participate in all careers including high public office. In 2000 Parliament approved a measure that gives women the same rights as men to transmit citizenship to a spouse or child. Laws protect women from violence, and instances of spousal abuse are infrequent.

The government is committed to protecting human rights. Prisons meet international standards and are open for inspection by human rights monitors.