Monaco is a truly unique demographic phenomenon. With its small territory, the Principality has a population comparable to a not very large city, with special characteristics found nowhere else in Europe.

The second-smallest microstate in the world after the Vatican, } with an area of 2.08 square kilometers, set on the Mediterranean coast between France and Italy – Monaco’s location has a direct influence on its demographics.

The only way to expand the Principality’s territory is by exploring artificial peninsulas, thereby creating new districts. In the 1980s, under Prince Rainier’s reign, the area called Fontvieille was thus entirely built on land reclaimed from the sea. In 2024, the ambitious Mareterra project was completed, adding some 0.06 square kilometres to the Principality’s territory.

According to the IMSEE statistics published on its official website,  Monaco has a total population of 38,857 – 19,127 men and 19,730 women.

With some +1.1% per year, its growth is minimal. Long-term trends are promising, however, with Monaco’s population having almost doubled since 1951. This increase is driven not only by the birth rate, but also the influx of new residents. A population density of over 25,000 people per square kilometre of its small territory is truly unique.

With an average age of 47 years, Monaco has one of the highest-aged populations in the world. Its largest age group is comprised between 50 and 70.

Monaco is a rare European state with its population structure completely inverted. Native citizens represent a minority here, with foreign residents making up the bulk of the population.

According to official IMSEE data, as of 2025, Monegasques represent 24%, while some 76% of residents are foreign nationals. Last year, 9,333 Monegasques were registered in the principality.

Monegasques are the Principality’s original people – an ethnic group formed by Ligurian (northern Italian), Provençal (southern French) and a mixture of other neighbouring regions. Monaco citizenship is traditionally passed on by birth (if one parent is Monegasque) and in some cases, by marriage. It may also be exceptionally granted by Prince himself.

Monegasques do not speak the “munegascu” dialect on a daily basis, but cherish their traditions and study it at school even holding literary competitions.

Walking down the narrow principality streets, you’d hear a genuine language mix – French, Italian, English and Russian. What nationalities mostly shape Monaco’s international environment?

In total, over 144 nationalities live in Monaco. French people are in the majority with about 21.3%, then Italians at 19.5% and British at 7.9%. Swiss and Russians make up just over 3%, followed by Belgians, Germans, and Portuguese.