2017 Edition

Background

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. 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. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.

Area

160 sq km 160 sq km 0 sq km

land

160 sq km

total

160 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Elevation

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m

highest point

Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

some air pollution generated locally, some transfered from surrounding countries

Environment - international agreements

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 Law of the Sea

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

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

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

75 km Austria 34 km, Switzerland 41 km

border countries (2)

Austria 34 km, Switzerland 41 km

total

75 km

Land use

37.6% arable land 18.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 18.8% 43.1% 19.3% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

37.6%

forest

43.1%

other

19.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

avalanches, landslides

Natural resources

hydroelectric potential, arable land

Population - distribution

most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River

Terrain

mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third

Age structure

15.26% (male 3,148/female 2,689) 11.65% (male 2,239/female 2,217) 41.64% (male 7,956/female 7,969) 14.03% (male 2,607/female 2,760) 17.41% (male 3,058/female 3,601) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.26% (male 3,148/female 2,689)

15-24 years

11.65% (male 2,239/female 2,217)

25-54 years

41.64% (male 7,956/female 7,969)

55-64 years

14.03% (male 2,607/female 2,760)

65 years and over

17.41% (male 3,058/female 3,601) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Liechtensteiner 66%, other 34% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

4.2 deaths/1,000 live births 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

German 94.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.1%, other 4.3% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

81.9 years 79.7 years 84.7 years (2017 est.)

female

84.7 years (2017 est.)

male

79.7 years

total population

81.9 years

Major urban areas - population

VADUZ (capital) 5,000 (2014)

Median age

43.2 years 41.7 years 44.5 years (2017 est.)

female

44.5 years (2017 est.)

male

41.7 years

total

43.2 years

Nationality

Liechtensteiner(s) Liechtenstein

adjective

Liechtenstein

noun

Liechtensteiner(s)

Net migration rate

5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

38,244 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River

Population growth rate

0.8% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 75.9%, Protestant Reformed 6.5%, Muslim 5.4%, Lutheran 1.3%, other 2.9%, none 5.4%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 16 years 13 years (2015)

female

13 years (2015)

male

16 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.26 male(s)/female 1.17 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.17 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.26 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.69 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

14.3% of total population (2017) 0.79% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.79% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

14.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Vaduz 47 08 N, 9 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

47 08 N, 9 31 E

name

Vaduz

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921 proposed by Parliament, by the reigning prince (in the form of “Government” proposals), by petition of at least 1,500 qualified voters, or by at least four communes; passage requires unanimous approval of Parliament members in one sitting or three-quarters majority vote in two successive sittings; referendum required only if petitioned by at least 1,500 voters or by at least four communes; passage by referendum requires absolute majority of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2011 (2016)

amendments

proposed by Parliament, by the reigning prince (in the form of “Government” proposals), by petition of at least 1,500 qualified voters, or by at least four communes; passage requires unanimous approval of Parliament members in one sitting or three-quarters majority vote in two successive sittings; referendum required only if petitioned by at least 1,500 voters or by at least four communes; passage by referendum requires absolute majority of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2011 (2016)

history

previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921

Country name

Principality of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Fuerstentum Liechtenstein Liechtenstein named after the Liechtenstein dynasty that purchased and united the counties of Schellenburg and Vaduz and that was allowed by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1719 to rename the new property after their family; the name in German means "light (bright) stone"

conventional long form

Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form

Liechtenstein

etymology

named after the Liechtenstein dynasty that purchased and united the counties of Schellenburg and Vaduz and that was allowed by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1719 to rename the new property after their family; the name in German means "light (bright) stone"

local long form

Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local short form

Liechtenstein

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Kurt JAEGER (since 16 December 2016) 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 331-0590 [1] (202) 331-3221

chancery

2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Kurt JAEGER (since 16 December 2016)

FAX

[1] (202) 331-3221

telephone

[1] (202) 331-0590

Executive branch

Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS-ADAM II retains status of chief of state Prime Minister Adrian HASLER (since 27 March 2013) Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Parliament usually appointed the head of government by the monarch, and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government

cabinet

Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch

chief of state

Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS-ADAM II retains status of chief of state

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Parliament usually appointed the head of government by the monarch, and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government

head of government

Prime Minister Adrian HASLER (since 27 March 2013)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue and red livery design used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire); 24 August 1866 (independence from the German Confederation)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CD, CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgericht (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates) judges of both courts elected by the Landtag and appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for renewable 5-year terms Court of Appeal or Obergericht (second instance), Court of Justice (first instance), Administrative Court, county courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgericht (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates)

judge selection and term of office

judges of both courts elected by the Landtag and appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for renewable 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal or Obergericht (second instance), Court of Justice (first instance), Administrative Court, county courts

Legal system

civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members directly elected in 2 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 5 February 2017 (next to be held in February 2021) percent of vote by party - FBP 35.2%, VU 33.7%, DU 18.4% FL 12.6%; seats by party - FBP 9, VU 8, DU 5, FL 3

description

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members directly elected in 2 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - FBP 35.2%, VU 33.7%, DU 18.4% FL 12.6%; seats by party - FBP 9, VU 8, DU 5, FL 3

elections

last held on 5 February 2017 (next to be held in February 2021)

National anthem

"Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine) Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"

lyrics/music

Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT

name

"Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)

note

adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"

National holiday

National Day, 15 August (1940); note - a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince Franz Josef II (1906-1989) whose birth fell on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday by law in 1990

National symbol(s)

princely hat (crown); national colors: blue, red

princely hat (crown); national colors

blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Fatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU [Guenther FRITZ] Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP [Thomas BANZER] The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL [Pepo FRICK] The Independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$995.3 million $890.4 million (2011 est.)

expenditures

$890.4 million (2011 est.)

revenues

$995.3 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$0 (2015 est.) public external debt only; private external debt unavailable

note

public external debt only; private external debt unavailable

Economy - overview

Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and the third highest per capita income in the world, after Qatar and Luxembourg. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on the income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding 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 and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries.

Exchange rates

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.9852 (2016) 0.9852 (2015) 0.9627 (2014 est.) 0.9152 (2013 est.) 0.9377 (2012 est.)

Exports

$3.217 billion (2015 est.) $3.774 billion (2014 est.) trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

note

trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7% 41% 52% (2014)

agriculture

7%

industry

41%

services

52% (2014)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$139,100 (2009 est.) $90,100 (2008 est.) $91,300 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2012 est.) -0.5% (2011 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.672 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.978 billion (2014 est.) $3.2 billion (2009 est.) $3.216 billion (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.989 billion (2015 est.) $2.23 billion (2014 est.) trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

note

trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.4% (2016 est.) -0.2% (2013)

Labor force

38,520 (2012) 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany (2015 est.)

note

51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

0.8% 36.9% 62.3% (2015)

agriculture

0.8%

industry

36.9%

services

62.3% (2015)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

14.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2015) 2.4% (2014)

Electricity - consumption

393.6 million kWh (2015)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2015 est.) (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

325.2 million kWh (2015)

Electricity - production

68.43 million kWh (2015)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Broadcast media

relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based TV station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates several radio stations in Liechtenstein (2008)

Internet country code

.li

Internet users

37,214 98.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

98.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

37,214

Telephone system

automatic telephone system fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 155 per 100 persons country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2016)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 155 per 100 persons

general assessment

automatic telephone system

international

country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

16,600 44 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

44 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

16,600

Telephones - mobile cellular

43,914 116 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

116 (July 2016 est.)

total

43,914

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HB (2016)

Pipelines

gas 20 km (2013)

Railways

9 km 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)

note

belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)

standard gauge

9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

total

9 km

Roadways

380 km 380 km (2012)

paved

380 km (2012)

total

380 km

Waterways

28 km (2010)

Military - note

Liechtenstein has no military forces, but the modern National Police maintain close relations with neighboring forces (2013)

Military branches

no regular military forces; National Police maintain close relations with neighboring forces (2016)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector