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John Nash

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 2012.
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Number of Prizes in Economic Sciences

44 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been awarded every year since 1969.

22 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been given to one Laureate only.
17 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been shared by two Laureates.
5 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been shared between three Laureates.
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Number of Laureates* in Economic Sciences

71 individuals have been awarded 1969-2012.

List of all Laureates in Economic Sciences
Lawrence Bragg

Average age

The average age of all Laureates in Economic Sciences between 1969 and 2012 is 67 years.
More information about Laureates in Economic Scineces and age
Lawrence Bragg

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.
Raymond Davis Jr.

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.

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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 43 female Nobel Laureates
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Multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences

So far there are no multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences.

See a list of multiple Nobel Laureates within other prize categories
Dag Hammarskjöld

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).

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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)
Crown

*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 Peace Prize
Facts on the Prize in Economic Sciences
Facts on all Nobel Prizes
Nomination FAQ

 

First published 5 October 2009.

TO CITE THIS PAGE:
MLA style: "Facts on the Prize in Economic Sciences". Nobelprize.org. 19 May 2013 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/shortfacts.html