The results of Monaco’s latest census have unveiled a shifting demographic landscape, with nearly 150 nationalities now shaping the Principality’s diverse population.
Following a vast data collection campaign for the 2023 census, IMSEE, Monaco’s official statistical agency, has published an in-depth report detailing the characteristics of the Principality’s local population.
Towards the end of November, Monaco Life attended the presentation of IMSEE’s findings, which was held at the Ministry of State in the presence of the many state and government authorities and agencies that contributed to the census, such as Monaco City Hall (Mairie de Monaco), the Monaco Police Department, the Department of National Education, Youth, and Sports, the Property Administration, and the Department of Forward Studies, Urban Planning, and Mobility.
Thanks to digital advancements, IMSEE has been able to move away from exhaustive on-the-ground surveys and instead adopt a new methodology, as explained by Alexandre Bubbio, IMSEE Director, at the presentation.
“By adopting a register-based methodology, we’ve moved away from traditional field surveys, allowing us to produce annual updates with greater accuracy and efficiency,” he said. “This ensures that the data remains relevant and reflective of Monaco’s fast-changing demographic landscape.”
Shifting nationalities
Monaco’s population has long reflected its international appeal, and this latest census confirms just how diverse the Principality has become.
Of the 38,367 residents recorded in the census, more than 75% are foreign-born, and there are now 141 different nationalities of people living in Monaco.
For the first time in the history of Monaco’s census records, Monegasques have become the largest single nationality in the country. They now represent 23.9% of the population, or 9,179 residents.
See more: Monaco’s population of Monegasques nears 10,000-mark
Meanwhile, the once-dominant French and Italian communities, which have traditionally outnumbered Monegasques in Monaco, are experiencing a decline in numbers.
French nationals now make up 22.1% of the population, down from almost 60% in 1962, when the Principality’s French population reached its peak. Italians account for just under 20% of the population, a fall of 8% in volume compared to the figures recorded in the 2016 census.
But while the number of French and Italian residents has been shrinking, other groups are steadily growing, subtly changing Monaco’s demographic makeup.
Among them are Ukrainians, whose numbers have increased by 186.8% since the last census, likely reflecting the ongoing conflict in the region. Other nationalities, such as Cypriots and Israelis, have also seen sharp increases, with their numbers almost tripling over the same period.
The Russian presence has also grown considerably, rising by 60% since 2016 to reach 1,199 residents. What’s particularly surprising about this group is the gender shift. Unlike the usual trend in Monaco, where more foreign men than women relocate to the Principality, a greater proportion of Russian women have settled in Monaco in recent years.
More than 5,000 newcomers
According to the IMSEE report: “Of the people registered in Monaco in 2023, more than 5,000 are non-Monegasque nationals aged over 18 who have settled in the Principality since the previous census.”
The UK accounts for 12.8% of newcomers, Italy for 10.4%, Switzerland for 7.9%, and Russia for 3.7%. However, almost a third of all new residents came from nations outside of these historically key contributors, reinforcing Monaco’s increasingly global character.
The data also reveals other insights about who is moving to Monaco. The average age of residents varies widely between nationalities. Ukrainians tend to be the youngest, with an average age of just 31.7 years, while Swiss residents are among the oldest, with an average age nearing 55.
Overall, the report paints a picture of a nation that continues to be a magnet for people from all over the world.
The full report from Monaco’s statistical office is available here.
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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department