Lists of Nobel Prizes and Laureates

Facts on the Prize in Economic Sciences

In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established this Prize in memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Here are some facts and figures regarding The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, awarded from 1969 to 2017.


	Number of Prizes in Economic Sciences 49 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been awarded every year since 1969. 25 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been given to one Laureate only. 18 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been shared by two Laureates. 6 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been shared between three Laureates.

	Number of Laureates* in Economic Sciences 79 individuals have been awarded 1969-2017. List of all Laureates in Economic Sciences

	Nobel Laureate Birthdays June is the month when most Nobel Laureates celebrate a birthday. List of Nobel Laureate birthdays

	Average Age The average age of all Laureates in Economic Sciences between 1969 and 2017 is 67 years. Laureates in Economic Sciences and age All Nobel Laureates listed by age

	Youngest Laureate in Economic Sciences To date, the youngest Laureate in Economic Sciences is Kenneth J. Arrow, who was 51 years old when he was awarded in 1972.

	Oldest Laureate in Economic Sciences The oldest Laureate in Economic Sciences to date is Leonid Hurwicz, who was 90 years old when he was awarded in 2007. He is also the oldest Laureate to be awarded in all Prize categories.

	Female Laureates in Economic Sciences Elinor Ostrom was the first female Laureate in Economic Sciences. Elinor Ostrom was awarded the Prize in 2009. List of all female Nobel Laureates

	Multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences So far there are no multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences. Multiple Nobel Laureates within other prize categories

	No Posthumous Prizes in Economic Sciences There have been no posthumous Prizes in Economic Sciences. From 1974, the Statutes of the Nobel Foundation stipulate that a Prize cannot be awarded posthumously, unless death has occurred after the announcement of the Prize. Before 1974, the Nobel Prize has only been awarded posthumously twice: to Dag Hammarskjöld (Nobel Peace Prize 1961) and Erik Axel Karlfeldt (Nobel Prize in Literature 1931).

	Family Laureates in Economic Sciences Brothers: Jan Tinbergen (Economic Sciences in 1969) and Nikolaas Tinbergen (Physiology or Medicine in 1973) Married couple: Gunnar Myrdal (Economic Sciences in 1974) and Alva Myrdal (Nobel Peace Prize in 1982)

	Laureates in Economic Sciences and their Fields The most common research field for Laureates in Economic Sciences is macroeconomics. It is the field for 9 Laureates. Laureates in Economic Sciences and Fields

	The Medal for the Prize in Economic Sciences The Medal for Economic Sciences was designed by Swedish artist and sculptor Gunvor Svensson-Lundqvist and shows the North Star emblem of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Read more about the Medal for the Prize in Economic Sciences

	The Diplomas Each Diploma is a unique work of art, created by foremost Swedish and Norwegian artists and calligraphers. More about the Diplomas

	The Prize Amount Alfred Nobel left most of his estate, more than SEK 31 million (today approximately SEK 1,702 million) to be converted into a fund and invested in "safe securities." The income from the investments was to be "distributed annually in the form of prizes to those who during the preceding year have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind." The Prize amount for 2017 is set at Swedish kronor (SEK) 9.0 million per full Prize. More about the Prize Amount

	* Why are the individuals awarded a Prize in Economic Sciences called Laureates? The word "Laureate" refers to being signified by the laurel wreath. In Greek mythology, the god Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. A laurel wreath is a circular crown made of branches and leaves of the bay laurel (in Latin: Laurus nobilis). In Ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to victors as a sign of honour - both in athletic competitions and in poetic meets.

Links to more facts on the Nobel Prizes: Facts on the Nobel Prize in Physics Facts on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry Facts on the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Facts on the Nobel Prize in Literature Facts on the Nobel Peace Prize Facts on the Prize in Economic Sciences Facts on all Nobel Prizes