IMSEE’s latest portrait of the Monegasque population has revealed that both men and women are living longer than any other nationality in the world. The report, which delves into the demographics of Monaco nationals, also notes a steadily growing number of people holding citizenship, a status achieved by birth, family ties or the act of naturalisation.
According to the Institut Monégasque de la Statistique et des Études Économiques (IMSEE) demographic report, published on 13th March, there were 9,883 people with confirmed Monegasque nationality or citizenship living in the Principality in 2024, an increase of just under 1% compared to the previous year.
There are slightly more female Monegasques than males, with the average age of a Monegasque being 45.1 years. The largest age group was the over-65s, who accounted for 28% of the population, followed by the 50-to-64 group and those aged 16 and under, which tied for second, each representing 19%.
Some 160 people obtained Monegasque nationality in 2024: 98 through the line of descent, 51 by marriage and 11 via a Sovereign Ordinance of Naturalisation issued by and granted at the discretion of Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Births and deaths
Contrary to population trends observed across much of Europe, the birthrate exceeded the number of deaths recorded among the Monegasque community in 2024, with 98 babies born with jus sanguinis citizenship: 46 boys and 52 girls.
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Meanwhile, the Mairie de Monaco recorded 81 deaths.
Monegasque longevity
According to the most recently available data on life expectancy by the United Nations Population Division, Monegasques appear to be the longest-living nationality anywhere in the world, with an average life expectancy of 87 years.
Though the Principality is not listed in the United Nations Population Division’s rankings, the figures published by IMSEE put Monaco well ahead of the leading country in terms of life expectancy.
Indeed, Hong Kong tops the UN’s table with an average life expectancy of 85.6 years, followed by Japan with 84.9 years and South Korea with 84.4 years. Monaco’s closest neighbours, Italy and France, rank seventh and 13th respectively.
Female Monegasques live considerably longer than their male counterparts, as is the case in almost every nation in the world. The average for women, according to the 2024 data, was an impressive 90.2 years – far higher than the next closest nation, again Hong Kong, where the average is 88.3 years – while the average for Monegasque men was 84 years.
Marriage rates lowest in four decades
The number of marriages involving at least one Monegasque spouse was at its lowest level since 1983 last year, with just 55 nuptials. This is noticeably down on the figures from 2023 and 2022, when 70 and 102 such marriages took place.
The average age of first-time grooms was just over 32 years, while first-time brides were slightly younger at 30.3 years.
The statistics regarding divorces in 2024 are yet to be confirmed.
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