Edition 2005 — Liechtenstein

Administrative divisions

11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 2,938/female 3,009) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 11,795/female 11,927) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,685/female 2,363) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products

Airports

none (2004 est.) Military Liechtenstein

Area

land: 160 sq km
total: 160 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Background

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. Liechtenstein has, however, implemented new anti-money-laundering legislation and recently concluded a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US. Geography Liechtenstein

Birth rate

10.41 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $424.2 million

Capital

Vaduz

Climate

continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

Coastline

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Constitution

5 October 1921

Country name

conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form: Liechtenstein
local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
local short form: Liechtenstein

Currency (code)

Swiss franc (CHF)

Currency code

CHF

Death rate

7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2001)

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005
chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE
FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459
telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460

Disputes - international

in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1945 as German property

Economic aid - recipient

none

Economy - overview

Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.

Elevation extremes

highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%

Exchange rates

Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the parliament, confirmed by the monarch
chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
head of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)

Exports

$2.47 billion (1996)

Exports - commodities

small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products

Exports - partners

EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Liechtenstein

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band Economy Liechtenstein

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: NA%
industry: 40%
services: NA% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

11% (1999 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$825 million (1999 est.)

Geographic coordinates

47 16 N, 9 32 E

Geography - note

along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation People Liechtenstein

Government type

hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis

Highways

paved: 250 km
total: 250 km
unpaved: 0 km

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA%

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Illicit drugs

has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein sophisticated offshore financial services sector This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$917.3 million (1996)

Imports - commodities

agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles

Imports - partners

EU, Switzerland

Independence

23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments

Infant mortality rate

female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
male: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2001)

International organization participation

CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO

Internet country code

.li

Internet hosts

3,727 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)

Internet users

20,000 (2002) Transportation Liechtenstein

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht

Labor force

29,000 of whom 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 1.3%, industry 47.4%, services 51.3% (31 December 2001 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
total: 76 km

Land use

arable land: 25%
other: 75% (2001)
permanent crops: 0%

Languages

German (official), Alemannic dialect

Legal system

local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL 13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3
elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by NA 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female: 83.16 years (2005 est.)
male: 75.96 years
total population: 79.55 years

Literacy

definition: age 10 and over can read and write
female: 100% Government Liechtenstein
male: 100%
total population: 100%

Location

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female: 39.68 years (2005 est.)
male: 38.74 years
total: 39.22 years

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Switzerland Transnational Issues Liechtenstein

National holiday

Assumption Day, 15 August

Nationality

adjective: Liechtenstein
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

hydroelectric potential, arable land

Net migration rate

4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pipelines

gas 20 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Patriotic Union (was Fatherland Union) or VU [Heinz FROMMELT]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Johannes MATT]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Elisabeth TELLENBACH-FRICK, Adolf RITTER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

33,717 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.82% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors