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© Direction de la Communication - Michael Alesi

With nearly 140 nationalities concentrated into an area of two square kilometres, Monaco has one of the most cosmopolitan populations on Earth.

Monaco, the second smallest country in the world after the Vatican, is a genuine Tower of Babel. Today, Monegasque residents are drawn from nearly 140 countries. The French, Italians, British, Swiss and Belgians make up the top five groups of foreign nationals in terms of numbers. Foreign residents account for three quarters of the Principality’s total population – there are 38,000 of them, compared with less than 9,000 Monegasque nationals.

"The Principality is Considered a Business Hub"
 Read Louisette Levy-Soussan-Azzoaglio's interview

Historically, it was the founding of Monte-Carlo and the arrival of the railway in the Principality in the second half of the nineteenth century that brought such internationalisation to Monaco.

During that era, Prince Charles III put his faith in aristocratic tourism and decided to build a holiday and recreational resort for the European nobility and upper classes in Monte-Carlo (Mount Charles).

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The country then underwent a period of rapid urban development around the casino and the major hotels.

The population grew (19,000 inhabitants in 1910 compared with 1,200 in 1861), and its society became increasingly cosmopolitan with the arrival of European elites as well as workers from Piedmont.

The first census of the Monegasque population was conducted in 1757, and the exercise has been regularly repeated since the end of the nineteenth century to track demographic trends and changes in the Principality’s population. The most recent census, in 2016, was organised by Monaco City Hall with technical support from Monaco Statistics.

It found that Monaco has more women than men, that the biggest age groups are those aged 45–54 years and those aged 0–16 years, and that Monte-Carlo is the most populous district, with 22% of residents.

© Direction de la Communication - Michael Alesi
Interview

"The Principality is Considered a Business Hub"

According to Louisette Levy-Soussan-Azzoaglio, President of the Foreign Residents' Club of Monaco (Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco) (CREM) there are many reasons why foreigners choose to move to the Principality.

According to Louisette Levy-Soussan-Azzoaglio, President of the Foreign Residents' Club of Monaco (Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco) (CREM) there are many reasons why foreigners choose to move to the Principality.

The CREM currently has 450 members; its main strength lies in the wide diversity of nationalities. With almost 50 different nationalities, we consider ourselves to be a Monegasque-international club. Since 2010, we have had the pleasure of welcoming any residents who wish to take part in the social and cultural life of Monaco and be integrated into the life of the Principality. We offer membership for individuals and couples, as well as corporate membership. Our members are mostly in employment and therefore keen to create a network of personal and professional contacts.

Do your members tell you why they choose Monaco?

There are several factors. Most of our members move to the Principality for professional reasons. Indeed, Monaco is not only of interest geographically, due to the infrastructure that puts the Principality two hours from the main European capitals, but it also has high financial potential. The Principality is considered a business hub, despite its small size. Moreover, the quality of life, climate and security offered by the Principality are major assets when choosing Monaco as a place of residence. Even though, at the moment, a lot of building work is disturbing the peace of the city, but let’s think about the future …

The CREM is a place for discussion and mutual aid. What do you offer on a day-to-day basis to help people integrate easily?

It’s true – our aim is to offer a “second home” to new residents of the Principality. Joining the Club not only enables people to build a network, but also to meet foreigners and Monegasque nationals who share the same values and interests in terms of art, culture, travel, economics or gastronomy. Members have free access to our 220m2 club house, situated in the Larvotto district – not far from the new offshore urban extension- where they can relax, read the newspapers, play billiards, or hold personal or professional meetings. The club house is a real place for discussion, with a cosy, family-like character that helps everyone integrate. The weekly activities – which have unfortunately slowed down a bit, due to COVID – also encourage links to be created, from talks to lunches, from trips to private visits, and from cocktail parties to galas … We also offer a ticketing service for music, ballet and opera performances. All this is designed to help new residents adapt fully to life in Monaco and help them cope with the difficulties that can be encountered when moving to a new city or country.

Learn more
CREM - Club des Résidents Etrangers de Monaco

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