Facts on the Prize in Economic Sciences

Number of Prizes in Economic Sciences

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

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

Number of Laureates* in Economic Sciences

69 individuals have been awarded 1969-2011.

List of all Laureates in Economic Sciences

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 the Nobel Prize in all Prize areas.

Female Laureates in Economic Sciences

Elinor Ostrom is the first female Laureate in Economic Sciences. Elinor Ostrom was awarded the Prize in 2009.

List of all 43 female Nobel Laureates

Multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences

There have been no multiple Laureates in Economic Sciences.

See list of multiple Nobel Laureates within other prize areas here

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)

*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 Greek 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
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