Monaco

Principality of Monaco

LOCATION

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.

Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 2 sq km
land: 2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries: total: 6 km
border countries: France 6 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation: highest point: Chemin des Revoires on Mont Agel 162 m
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: none
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.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022)
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)
Natural hazards: none
Geography - note: second-smallest independent state in the world (after the Holy See); smallest country with a coastline; almost entirely urban

Population: total: 32,047 (2025 est.)
male: 15,467
female: 16,580
Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)
adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
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.)
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.
Religions: Roman Catholic 90% (official), other 10%
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)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 88.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 16.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 72.1 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 1.4 (2025 est.)
Median age: total: 57.5 years (2025 est.)
male: 55 years
female: 58.4 years
Population growth rate: 0.76% (2025 est.)
Birth rate: 6.46 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 11.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
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)
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 39,000 MONACO (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
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
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 89.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 86 years
female: 93.7 years
Total fertility rate: 1.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.76 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2022 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.)
Physician density: 8.61 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 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.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 21 years (2024 est.)
male: 20 years (2024 est.)
female: 22 years (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
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
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.)
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 9.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 46,000 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.4% (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Monaco
conventional short form: Monaco
local long form: Principauté de Monaco
local 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)
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: 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's origin is unclear; it could derive from the Greek term monoikos (solitary), the Ligurian word monegu (rock), or the Basque word muno (mountain)
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
Legal system: civil law system influenced by French legal tradition
Constitution: history: previous 1911 (suspended 1959); latest adopted 17 December 1962
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
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)
head of government: Minister of State Christophe MIRMAND (since 21 July 2025)
cabinet: Council of Government under the authority of the monarch
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
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Council (Conseil national)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 24 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 2/5/2023
parties elected and seats per party: Monegasque National Union - l’Union (24)
percentage of women in chamber: 45.8%
expected date of next election: February 2028
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
Political parties: Monegasque National Union (includes Horizon Monaco, Primo!, Union Monegasque)Horizon Monaco Priorite Monaco or Primo! Union Monegasque
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Maguy MACCARIO DOYLE (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 888 17th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 234-1530
FAX: [1] (202) 244-7656
email address and website: info@monacodc.orghttps://monacodc.org/index.html
consulate(s) general: New York
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
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
Independence: 1419 (beginning of permanent rule by the House of GRIMALDI)
National holiday: National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)
Flag: description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and whitehistory: 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
National symbol(s): red and white lozenges (diamond shapes)
National color(s): red, white
National anthem(s): title: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)
lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT
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

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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $8.924 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $8.749 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $8.329 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023: 5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 11% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 22.2% (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2024: $270,100 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $256,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $226,100 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $10.434 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 5.9% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021: 2.1% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020: 0.5% (2020 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry: 11.5% (2023 est.)
services: 88.5% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products: none
Industries: banking, insurance, tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products
Exports - partners: Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain (2021)
Exports - commodities: jewelry, perfumes, watches, packaged medicines, cars (2021)
Imports - partners: Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, China (2021)
Imports - commodities: jewelry, cars and vehicle parts, recreational boats, plastic products, artwork (2021)
Exchange rates: Currency: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024: 0.924 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 0.876 (2020 est.)

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 43,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 41,500 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2024 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.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 22,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2023 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 3A
Heliports: 3 (2025)
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
Merchant marine: total: 1
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: 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)
Military - note: by treaty, France is responsible for defending the independence and sovereignty of Monaco

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 17 (2024 est.)