Europe
Page last updated: April 24, 2024
The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling GRIMALDI family first seized control in 1297 but was not able to permanently secure its holding until 1419. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, coastal Mediterranean scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
43°44' N, 07°24' E
Europe
Total: 2 km²
Land: 2 km²
Water: 0 km²
About three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Total: 6 km
Border countries (1): France 6 km
4.1 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Hilly, rugged, rocky
Highest point: Chemin des Revoires on Mont Agel 162 m
Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
None
Agricultural land: 1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
Forest: 0% (2018 est.)
Other: 99% (2018 est.)
0 km² (2022)
The second most densely populated country in the world (after Macau); its entire population living on 2 square km
None
Second-smallest independent state in the world (after the Holy See); smallest country with a coastline; almost entirely urban
31,597 (2023 est.)
Note: immigrants make up almost 68% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
Noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
Adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Monegasque 32.1%, French 19.9%, Italian 15.3%, British 5%, Belgian 2.3%, Swiss 2%, German 1.9%, Russian 1.8%, American 1.1%, Dutch 1.1%, Moroccan 1%, other 16.6% (2016 est.)
Note: data represent population by country of birth
French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Roman Catholic 90% (official), other 10%
0-14 years: 9.4% (male 1,522/female 1,448)
15-64 years: 54.42% (male 8,638/female 8,558)
65 years and over: 36.18% (2023 est.) (male 5,114/female 6,317)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 95.2
Youth dependency ratio: 25
Elderly dependency ratio: 70.2
Potential support ratio: 1.4 (2021)
Total: 56.2 years (2023 est.)
Male: 54.5 years
Female: 57.6 years
0.66% (2023 est.)
6.6 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
10.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
The second most densely populated country in the world (after Macau); its entire population living on 2 square km
Urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
39,000 MONACO (capital) (2018)
At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Total: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Male: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 89.6 years (2023 est.)
Male: 85.8 years
Female: 93.6 years
1.53 children born/woman (2023 est.)
0.75 (2023 est.)
NA
Improved: urban: 100% of population
Rural: NA
Total: 100% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0% of population
Rural: NA
Total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2020)
7.51 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
13.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Improved: urban: 100% of population
Rural: NA
Total: 100% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0% of population
Rural: NA
Total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
NA
1.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Total population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA
No serious issues; actively monitors pollution levels in air and water
Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Agricultural land: 1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
Forest: 0% (2018 est.)
Other: 99% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 9.21 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions: 0.05 megatons (2020 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 46,000 tons (2012 est.)
Municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,484 tons (2012 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.4% (2012 est.)
Municipal: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
Conventional short form: Monaco
Local long form: Principaute de Monaco
Local short form: Monaco
Etymology: founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., the name derives from two Greek words "monos" (single, alone) and "oikos" (house) to convey the sense of a people "living apart" or in a "single habitation"
Constitutional monarchy
Name: Monaco
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 25 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Etymology: founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., the name derives from two Greek words monos (single, alone) and oikos (house) to convey the sense of a people "living apart" or in a "single habitation"
None; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo; note - Moneghetti, a part of La Condamine, is sometimes called the 5th quarter of Monaco
1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of GRIMALDI)
National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)
History: previous 1911 (suspended 1959); latest adopted 17 December 1962
Amendments: proposed by joint agreement of the chief of state (the prince) and the National Council; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of National Council members; amended 2002
Civil law system influenced by French legal tradition
Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship by birth: no
Citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Monaco; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen and father unknown
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
18 years of age; universal
Chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)
Head of government: Minister of State Pierre DARTOUT (since 1 September 2020)
Cabinet: Council of Government under the authority of the monarch
Elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government
Description: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 8 directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections: last held on 5 February 2023 (next to be held in February 2028)
Election results: percent of vote by coalition - Monegasque National Union 100%; seats by coalition - Monegasque National Union 24; composition as of February 2024 - men 13, women 11, percent of women 45.8%
Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 permanent members and 2 substitutes)
Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court members appointed by the monarch upon the proposals of the National Council, State Council, Crown Council, Court of Appeal, and Trial Court
Subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; Civil Court of First Instance
Monegasque National Union [Brigitte BOCCONE-PAGES] (includes Horizon Monaco, Primo!, Union Monegasque)
Horizon Monaco [Laurent NOUVION]
Priorite Monaco or Primo! [Stephane VALERI]
Union Monegasque [Jean-Francois ROBILLON]
CD, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors are those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since 1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners
Note: similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red
Red and white lozenges (diamond shapes); national colors: red, white
Name: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)
Lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT
Note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions
High-income European economy; non-EU euro user; considered a tax haven; tourism and banking are largest sectors; negatively impacted by COVID-19; major oceanographic museum; among most expensive real estate; major state-owned enterprises
$7.672 billion (2015 est.)
$7.279 billion (2014 est.)
$6.79 billion (2013 est.)
Note: data are in 2015 dollars
11.1% (2022 est.)
21.87% (2021 est.)
-13.01% (2020 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$115,700 (2015 est.)
$109,200 (2014 est.)
$101,900 (2013 est.)
$8.784 billion (2022 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Agriculture: 0% (2013)
Industry: 14% (2013)
Services: 86% (2013)
Comparison rankings: services 16; industry 187; agriculture 221
None
Banking, insurance, tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products
4.3% (2014 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
52,000 (2014 est.)
Note: includes all foreign workers
2% (2012)
Total: 26.6% (2016 est.)
Male: 25.7%
Female: 27.9%
NA
Lowest 10%: NA
Highest 10%: NA
Revenues: $896.3 million (2011 est.)
Expenditures: $953.6 million (2011 est.)
-1% (of GDP) (2011 est.)
14.9% (of GDP) (2011 est.)
Calendar year
$964.6 million (2017 est.)
$1.115 billion (2011)
Note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain
(2021)
Jewelry, perfumes, watches, packaged medicines, cars (2021)
$1.371 billion (2017 est.)
$1.162 billion (2011 est.)
Note: full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, China (2021)
Jewelry, cars and vehicle parts, recreational boats, plastic products, artwork (2021)
NA
Euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
0.847 (2018 est.)
Note: while not an EU member state, Monaco, due to its preexisting monetary and banking agreements with France, has a 1998 monetary agreement with the EU to produce limited euro coinage—but not banknotes—that began enforcement in January 2002 and superseded by a new EU agreement in 2012
Electrification - total population: 100% (2021)
Total subscriptions: 44,649 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117 (2021 est.)
Total subscriptions: 36,255 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2021 est.)
General assessment: modern automatic telephone system: the country's sole fixed-line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers; competitive mobile telephony market; 4G LTE widely available (2020)
Domestic: fixed-line a little over 117 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 99 per 100 persons (2021)
International: country code - 377; landing points for the EIG and Italy-Monaco submarine cables connecting Monaco to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system (2019)
TV Monte-Carlo operates a TV network; cable TV available; Radio Monte-Carlo has extensive radio networks in France and Italy with French-language broadcasts to France beginning in the 1960s and Italian-language broadcasts to Italy beginning in the 1970s; other radio stations include Riviera Radio and Radio Monaco
.mc
Total: 31,820 (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 86% (2021 est.)
Total: 20,877 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2020 est.)
3A
3 (2024)
Note: Monaco has a single railway station but does not operate its own train service; the French operator SNCF operates rail services in Monaco
Total: 1
Major seaport(s): Hercules Port
No regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers), Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco (Fire and Emergency), Police Department (2024)
Note: the primary responsibility for the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is guarding the palace; the Police maintain public order
The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is staffed by French nationals (2024)
Defense is the responsibility of France