2020 Edition

Background

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.

Area

land

2 sq km

total

2 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Climate

Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Coastline

4.1 km

Elevation

highest point

Chemin des Revoires on Mont Agel 162 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates

43 44 N, 7 24 E

Geography - note

second-smallest independent state in the world (after the Holy See); smallest country with a coastline; almost entirely urban

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries

border countries

France 6 km

total

6 km

Land use

agricultural land

0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest

0% (2022 est.)

other

100% (2022 est.)

Location

Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

none

Natural resources

none

Population distribution

the second most densely populated country in the world (after Macau); its entire population lives on 2 sq km (0.8 sq mi)

Terrain

hilly, rugged, rocky

Age structure

0-14 years

9.1% (male 1,485/female 1,408)

15-64 years

53.8% (male 8,620/female 8,490)

65 years and over

37.1% (2024 est.) (male 5,261/female 6,549)

Birth rate

6.46 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

11.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

72.1 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

1.4 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

88.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

16.6 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

7.7% national budget (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.76 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

3.7% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

12% of national budget (2022 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

1.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male

2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

1.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

Languages

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.

Life expectancy at birth

female

93.7 years

male

86 years

total population

89.8 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

39,000 MONACO (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

58.4 years

male

55 years

total

57.5 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Monegasque or Monacan

noun

Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)

Net migration rate

12.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Physician density

8.61 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

female

16,580

male

15,467

total

32,047 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

0.76% (2025 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 90% (official), other 10%

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

22 years (2024 est.)

male

20 years (2024 est.)

total

21 years (2024 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo

Capital

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's origin is unclear; it could derive from the Greek term monoikos (solitary), the Ligurian word monegu (rock), or the Basque word muno (mountain)

geographic coordinates

43 44 N, 7 25 E

name

Monaco

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

Constitution

amendment process

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

history

previous 1911 (suspended 1959); latest adopted 17 December 1962

Country name

conventional long form

Principality of Monaco

conventional short form

Monaco

etymology

founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., the name's origin is unclear; it could derive from the Greek term monoikos (solitary), the Ligurian word monegu (rock), or the Basque word muno (mountain)

local long form

Principauté de Monaco

local short form

Monaco

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US Ambassador to France, handles diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco; +(33)(1) 43-12-22-22, enter zero "0" after the automated greeting; US Embassy Paris, 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

888 17th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Maguy MACCARIO DOYLE (since 3 December 2013)

consulate(s) general

New York

email address and website

info@monacodc.org https://monacodc.org/index.html

FAX

[1] (202) 244-7656

telephone

[1] (202) 234-1530

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Government under the authority of the monarch

chief of state

Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)

election/appointment process

the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government

head of government

Minister of State Christophe MIRMAND (since 21 July 2025)

Flag

description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white history: uses the colors of the ruling House of Grimaldi; colors have been in use since 1339, making it one of the world's oldest national flags

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of GRIMALDI)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

civil law system influenced by French legal tradition

Legislative branch

electoral system

proportional representation

expected date of next election

February 2028

legislative structure

unicameral

legislature name

National Council (Conseil national)

most recent election date

2/5/2023

number of seats

24 (all directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

Monegasque National Union - l’Union (24)

percentage of women in chamber

45.8%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

National anthem(s)

history

music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are usually only sung on official occasions

lyrics/music

Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT

title

"A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)

National color(s)

red, white

National holiday

National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)

National symbol(s)

red and white lozenges (diamond shapes)

Political parties

Monegasque National Union (includes Horizon Monaco, Primo!, Union Monegasque) Horizon Monaco  Priorite Monaco or Primo!  Union Monegasque 

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

none

Economic overview

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

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

jewelry, perfumes, watches, packaged medicines, cars (2021)

Exports - partners

Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain (2021)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

industry

11.5% (2023 est.)

services

88.5% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.434 billion (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

jewelry, cars and vehicle parts, recreational boats, plastic products, artwork (2021)

Imports - partners

Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, China (2021)

Industries

banking, insurance, tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

0.5% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

2.1% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

5.9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$8.329 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$8.749 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$8.924 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2021

22.2% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

11% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$226,100 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$256,600 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$270,100 (2024 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

56 (2023 est.)

total

22,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.mc

Internet users

percent of population

99% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

111 (2023 est.)

total subscriptions

43,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

107 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

41,500 (2024 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

3A

Heliports

3 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

1

Ports

key ports

Monaco

large

0

medium

0

ports with oil terminals

0

small

0

total ports

1 (2024)

very small

1

Railways

note: Monaco has a single railway station but does not operate its own train service;  the French operator SNCF operates rail services in Monaco

Military - note

by treaty, France is responsible for defending the independence and sovereignty of Monaco

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Prince’s Company of Carabiniers (Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, Police Department (Direction de la Sûreté Publique), Fire and Emergency Service (Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco) (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

17 (2024 est.)

International environmental agreements

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

Particulate matter emissions

9.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

46,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

5.4% (2012 est.)