This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP.

Topic: Afghanistan3.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: AkrotiriNA

Topic: Albania3.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Algeria6.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: American SamoaNA

Topic: Andorra3.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Angola1.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Anguilla3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda3.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Argentina4.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Armenia2.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Aruba5.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA

Topic: Australia5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Austria5.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan2.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The2.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Bahrain2.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Bangladesh1.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Barbados4.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Belarus5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Belgium6.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belize7.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Benin3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Bermuda1.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Bhutan6.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bolivia7.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaNA

Topic: Botswana6.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Brazil6.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

Topic: British Virgin Islands2.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Brunei4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Bulgaria4.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso5.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Burma2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Burundi5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Cambodia2.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cameroon3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Canada5.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Topic: Cayman IslandsNA

Topic: Central African Republic1.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Chad2.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Chile5.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: China3.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Christmas IslandNA

Topic: Clipperton IslandNA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia4.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Comoros2.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the3.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Cook Islands3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA

Topic: Costa Rica6.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire3.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Croatia3.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: CubaNA

Topic: Curacao4.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Topic: Cyprus5.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Czechia4.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Denmark7.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: DhekeliaNA

Topic: Djibouti3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Dominica5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Ecuador4.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Egypt3.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Topic: El Salvador3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Equatorial GuineaNA

Topic: EritreaNA

Topic: Estonia5.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Eswatini5.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: European Union4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe Islands8.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Fiji5.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Finland6.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: France5.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: French PolynesiaNA

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA

Topic: Gabon2.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The2.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Gaza Strip5.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Topic: Georgia3.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Germany5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ghana4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: GibraltarNA

Topic: Greece3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Greenland10.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Grenada3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: GuamNA

Topic: Guatemala3.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: GuernseyNA

Topic: Guinea2.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Guyana4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Haiti1.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras4.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Hong Kong4.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Hungary4.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Iceland7.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: India3.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Indonesia2.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Iran3.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: IraqNA

Topic: Ireland3.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Isle of ManNA

Topic: Israel6.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Italy4.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Jamaica5.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Jan MayenNA

Topic: Japan3.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: JerseyNA

Topic: Jordan3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstan2.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Kenya5.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Kiribati12.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Korea, NorthNA

Topic: Korea, South4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: KosovoNA

Topic: Kuwait6.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan5.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Laos2.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Topic: Latvia4.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lebanon2.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Lesotho7.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Liberia2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: LibyaNA

Topic: Liechtenstein2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Topic: Lithuania3.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg3.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Macau3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Madagascar2.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Malawi2.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Malaysia4.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Maldives4.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Mali3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Malta4.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Marshall Islands9.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Mauritania1.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Mauritius4.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Mexico4.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of9.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Moldova6.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Monaco1.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Mongolia4.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: MontenegroNA

Topic: Montserrat9.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: MoroccoNA

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique6.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Namibia9.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: NauruNA

Topic: Navassa IslandNA

Topic: Nepal4.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Netherlands5.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: New CaledoniaNA

Topic: New Zealand6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nicaragua3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Niger3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: NigeriaNA

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: Norfolk IslandNA

Topic: North MacedoniaNA

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA

Topic: Norway7.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Oman5.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Pakistan2.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: PalauNA

Topic: Panama3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinea1.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Paracel IslandsNA

Topic: Paraguay3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Peru4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Philippines3.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA

Topic: Poland4.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Portugal4.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Puerto Rico6.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Topic: Qatar3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Romania3.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Russia4.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Rwanda3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis2.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia3.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Saint MartinNA

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines5.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Samoa4.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: San Marino3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Saudi ArabiaNA

Topic: Senegal5.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Serbia3.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Seychelles3.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone9.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Singapore2.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Sint MaartenNA

Topic: Slovakia4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Slovenia4.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islands10.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Topic: SomaliaNA

Topic: South Africa6.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA

Topic: South Sudan1.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Spain4.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Spratly IslandsNA

Topic: Sri Lanka2.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: SudanNA

Topic: Suriname7.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden7.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Switzerland4.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: SyriaNA

Topic: TaiwanNA

Topic: Tajikistan5.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Tanzania3.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Thailand3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste6.8% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Togo5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: TokelauNA

Topic: Tonga8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago3.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Tunisia7.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)4.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistan3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: TuvaluNA

Topic: Uganda3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Ukraine5.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom5.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United States5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA

Topic: Uruguay4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan5.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Vanuatu2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Topic: Venezuela1.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Vietnam4.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Topic: Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: Wake IslandNA

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA

Topic: West Bank5.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Topic: YemenNA

Topic: Zambia4.5% of GDP (2019)

Topic: Zimbabwe3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)


Topic: Photos of Liechtenstein

Topic: Introduction
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 German 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 16 N, 9 32 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 75 km

border countries (2): Austria 34 km; Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Elevation: highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m

lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 37.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.1% (2018 est.)

other: 19.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
Population distribution: most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River
Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides
Geography - note: along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
Map description: Liechtenstein map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by Switzerland and Austria.Liechtenstein map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by Switzerland and Austria.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 39,711 (2022 est.)

note: immigrants make up 67% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s)

adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups: Liechtensteiner 65.5%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrian 6%, German 4.5%, Italian 3.1%, other 11.4% (2020 est.)

note: data represent population by nationality
Languages: German 91.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic (official) 73.4%, Protestant Reformed 6.3%, Muslim 5.9%,  Christian Orthodox 1.3%, Lutheran 1.2%, other Protestant .7%, other Christian .3%, other .8%, none 7%, unspecified 3.3% (2015 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.2% (male 3,259/female 2,688)

15-24 years: 11.29% (male 2,238/female 2,181)

25-54 years: 40.22% (male 7,869/female 7,872)

55-64 years: 14.41% (male 2,711/female 2,930)

65 years and over: 18.88% (2020 est.) (male 3,403/female 3,986)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 43.7 years

male: 42 years

female: 45.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.72% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River
Urbanization: urban population: 14.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 5,000 VADUZ (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.25 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.24 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 31.3 years (2017)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.56 years

male: 80.33 years

female: 85.38 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 14 years (2019)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: some air pollution generated locally, some transfered from surrounding countries
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Law of the Sea
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 0.05 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Land use: agricultural land: 37.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.1% (2018 est.)

other: 19.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 14.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,382 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 20,919 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 64.6% (2015 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 7.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form: Liechtenstein

local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local 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"
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: name: Vaduz

geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: may be a conflation from the Latin "vallis" (valley) and the High German "diutisk" (meaning "German") to produce "Valdutsch" (German valley), which over time simplified and came to refer specifically to Vaduz, the town
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
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)
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
Constitution: history: previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921

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 many times, last in 2020
Legal system: civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: 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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS (son of the monarch, born 11 June 1968); note - 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

head of government: Prime Minister Daniel RISCH; Deputy Prime Minister Sabine MONAUNI (both since 25 March 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch

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

elections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next to be held on 7 February 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 40%, VU 40%, FL 12%, DpL 8%; seats by party - FBP 10, VU 10, FL 3, DpL 2; composition - men 18, women 7, percent of women 28%
Judicial branch: highest courts: 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
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 and Conny BUECHEL BRUEHWILER]
Democrats for Liechtenstein (Demokraten pro Liechtenstein) or DpL [Thomas REHAK]
The Independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER]
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Georg SPARBER (since 1 December 2021)

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

telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590

FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221

email address and website:
info@embassyli.org

https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein
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
National symbol(s): princely hat (crown); national colors: blue, red
National anthem: name: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)

lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT

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

Topic: Economy
Economic 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 services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on 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 EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.   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. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on 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 EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. 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. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.978 billion (2014 est.)

$3.2 billion (2009 est.)

$3.216 billion (2008 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 1.8% (2012 est.)

-0.5% (2011 est.)

3.1% (2007 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $139,100 (2009 est.)

$90,100 (2008 est.)

$91,300 (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $6.672 billion (2014 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.4% (2016 est.)

-0.2% (2013)
Credit ratings: Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1996)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7% (2014)

industry: 41% (2014)

services: 52% (2014)
Agricultural products: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 38,520 (2015 est.) (2012)

note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.8%

industry: 36.9%

services: 62.3% (2015)
Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2015)

2.4% (2014)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 995.3 million (2012 est.)

expenditures: 890.4 million (2011 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.9% (of GDP) (2012 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Exports: $3.217 billion (2015 est.)

$3.774 billion (2014 est.)

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
Imports: $2.23 billion (2014 est.)

note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Debt - external: $0 (2015 est.)

note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -

0.9875 (2017 est.)

0.9852 (2016 est.)

0.9852 (2015 est.)

0.9627 (2014 est.)

0.9152 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,607 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 48,887 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: automatic telephone system; 44 Internet service providers in Liechtenstein and Switzerland combined; FttP (fiber to the home) penetration marketed 3rd highest in EU; fiber network reaches 3/4 of the population (2020)

domestic: fixed-line roughly 33 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 128 per 100 (2020)

international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
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 one radio station in Liechtenstein
Internet country code: .li
Internet users: total: 37,260 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 98% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 18,050 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HB
Pipelines: 434.5 km gas (2018)
Railways: total: 9 km (2018)

standard gauge: 9 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland
Roadways: total: 630 km (2019)
Waterways: 28 km (2010)
Merchant marine: total: 20

by type: bulk carrier 16, general cargo 1, other 3 (includes Switzerland) (2021)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the National Police is responsible for all matters relating to the safety and security of Liechtenstein

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone
Illicit drugs: has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector


Topic: Photos of Eritrea

Topic: Introduction
Background: After independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service – divided between military and civilian service – of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. A subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation was rejected by Ethiopia. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 after the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Following the July 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia, Eritrean leaders engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In November 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for Al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia has led to a steady resumption of economic ties, with increased air transport, trade, tourism, and port activities, but the economy remains agriculture-dependent, and Eritrea is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression and conscription and militarization continue.After independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service – divided between military and civilian service – of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. A subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation was rejected by Ethiopia. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 after the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Following the July 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia, Eritrean leaders engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In November 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for Al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia has led to a steady resumption of economic ties, with increased air transport, trade, tourism, and port activities, but the economy remains agriculture-dependent, and Eritrea is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression and conscription and militarization continue.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 117,600 sq km

land: 101,000 sq km

water: 16,600 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total: 1,840 km

border countries (3): Djibouti 125 km; Ethiopia 1,033 km; Sudan 682 km
Coastline: 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands
Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
Elevation: highest point: Soira 3,018 m

lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m

mean elevation: 853 m
Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish
Land use: agricultural land: 75.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 68.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 15.1% (2018 est.)

other: 9.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 210 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: density is highest in the center of the country in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarmsvolcanism: Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarmsvolcanism: Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011
Geography - note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993
Map description: Eritrea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Red Sea.Eritrea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Red Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 6,209,262 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Eritrean(s)

adjective: Eritrean
Ethnic groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.)

note: data represent Eritrea's nine recognized ethnic groups
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages
Religions: Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim
Demographic profile: Eritrea is a persistently poor country that has made progress in some socioeconomic categories but not in others. Education and human capital formation are national priorities for facilitating economic development and eradicating poverty. To this end, Eritrea has made great strides in improving adult literacy – doubling the literacy rate over the last 20 years – in large part because of its successful adult education programs. The overall literacy rate was estimated to be almost 74% in 2015; more work needs to be done to raise female literacy and school attendance among nomadic and rural communities. Subsistence farming fails to meet the needs of Eritrea’s growing population because of repeated droughts, dwindling arable land, overgrazing, soil erosion, and a shortage of farmers due to conscription and displacement. The government’s emphasis on spending on defense over agriculture and its lack of foreign exchange to import food also contribute to food insecurity.Eritrea has been a leading refugee source country since at least the 1960s, when its 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia began. Since gaining independence in 1993, Eritreans have continued migrating to Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Egypt, or Israel because of a lack of basic human rights or political freedom, educational and job opportunities, or to seek asylum because of militarization. Eritrea’s large diaspora has been a source of vital remittances, funding its war for independence and providing 30% of the country’s GDP annually since it became independent.In the last few years, Eritreans have increasingly been trafficked and held hostage by Bedouins in the Sinai Desert, where they are victims of organ harvesting, rape, extortion, and torture. Some Eritrean trafficking victims are kidnapped after being smuggled to Sudan or Ethiopia, while others are kidnapped from within or around refugee camps or crossing Eritrea’s borders. Eritreans composed approximately 90% of the conservatively estimated 25,000-30,000 victims of Sinai trafficking from 2009-2013, according to a 2013 consultancy firm report.Eritrea is a persistently poor country that has made progress in some socioeconomic categories but not in others. Education and human capital formation are national priorities for facilitating economic development and eradicating poverty. To this end, Eritrea has made great strides in improving adult literacy – doubling the literacy rate over the last 20 years – in large part because of its successful adult education programs. The overall literacy rate was estimated to be almost 74% in 2015; more work needs to be done to raise female literacy and school attendance among nomadic and rural communities. Subsistence farming fails to meet the needs of Eritrea’s growing population because of repeated droughts, dwindling arable land, overgrazing, soil erosion, and a shortage of farmers due to conscription and displacement. The government’s emphasis on spending on defense over agriculture and its lack of foreign exchange to import food also contribute to food insecurity.Eritrea has been a leading refugee source country since at least the 1960s, when its 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia began. Since gaining independence in 1993, Eritreans have continued migrating to Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Egypt, or Israel because of a lack of basic human rights or political freedom, educational and job opportunities, or to seek asylum because of militarization. Eritrea’s large diaspora has been a source of vital remittances, funding its war for independence and providing 30% of the country’s GDP annually since it became independent.In the last few years, Eritreans have increasingly been trafficked and held hostage by Bedouins in the Sinai Desert, where they are victims of organ harvesting, rape, extortion, and torture. Some Eritrean trafficking victims are kidnapped after being smuggled to Sudan or Ethiopia, while others are kidnapped from within or around refugee camps or crossing Eritrea’s borders. Eritreans composed approximately 90% of the conservatively estimated 25,000-30,000 victims of Sinai trafficking from 2009-2013, according to a 2013 consultancy firm report.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.23% (male 1,169,456/female 1,155,460)

15-24 years: 20.56% (male 622,172/female 627,858)

25-54 years: 33.42% (male 997,693/female 1,034,550)

55-64 years: 3.8% (male 105,092/female 125,735)

65 years and over: 4% (2020 est.) (male 99,231/female 143,949)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 83.9

youth dependency ratio: 75.6

elderly dependency ratio: 8.3

potential support ratio: 12.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 20.3 years

male: 19.7 years

female: 20.8 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.03% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 27.04 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: density is highest in the center of the country in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 42.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.035 million ASMARA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.3 years (2010 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 480 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 41.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 48.36 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 34.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.85 years

male: 64.25 years

female: 69.53 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 8.4% (2010)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 73.2% of population

rural: 53.3% of population

total: 57.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 26.8% of population

rural: 46.7% of population

total: 42.2% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 44.5% of population

rural: 7.3% of population

total: 15.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 55.5% of population

rural: 92.7% of population

total: 84.3% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 7.5% (2020 est.)

male: 14.7% (2020 est.)

female: 0.2% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.6%

male: 84.4%

female: 68.9% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years

male: 8 years

female: 7 years (2015)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 42.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.71 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 4.48 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands
Land use: agricultural land: 75.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 68.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 15.1% (2018 est.)

other: 9.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 42.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 726,957 tons (2011 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 31 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 550 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 7.315 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: State of Eritrea

conventional short form: Eritrea

local long form: Hagere Ertra

local short form: Ertra

former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

etymology: the country name derives from the ancient Greek appellation "Erythra Thalassa" meaning Red Sea, which is the major water body bordering the country
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Asmara

geographic coordinates: 15 20 N, 38 56 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name means "they [women] made them unite," which according to Tigrinya oral tradition refers to the women of the four clans in the Asmara area who persuaded their menfolk to unite and defeat their common enemy; the name has also been translated as "live in peace"
Administrative divisions: 6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); 'Anseba, Debub (South), Debubawi K'eyyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash-Barka, Ma'ikel (Central), Semienawi K'eyyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea)
Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 May (1991)
Constitution: history: ratified by the Constituent Assembly 23 May 1997 (not fully implemented)

amendments: proposed by the president of Eritrea or by assent of at least one half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least an initial three-quarters majority vote by the Assembly and, after one year, final passage by at least four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Eritrea

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

head of government: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the only election was held on 8 June 1993, following independence from Ethiopia (next election postponed indefinitely)

election results: 1993: ISAIAS Afwerki elected president by the transitional National Assembly; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS  Afwerki (PFDJ) 95%, other 5%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito) (150 seats; 75 members indirectly elected by the ruling party and 75 directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to form a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely due to the war with Ethiopia, and as of late 2021, there was no sitting legislative body (2021)

election results: NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court (consists of 20 judges and organized into civil, commercial, criminal, labor, administrative, and customary sections)

judge selection and term of office: High Court judges appointed by the president

subordinate courts: regional/zonal courts; community courts; special courts; sharia courts (for issues dealing with Muslim marriage, inheritance, and family); military courts
Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afwerki] (the only party recognized by the government)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Berhane Gebrehiwet SOLOMON (since 15 March 2011)

chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991

FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304

email address and website:
embassyeritrea@embassyeritrea.org

https://us.embassyeritrea.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Steven C. WALKER (since December 2019)

embassy: 179 Alaa Street, Asmara

mailing address: 7170 Asmara Place, Washington DC  20521-7170

telephone: [291] (1) 12-00-04

FAX: [291] (1) 12-75-84

email address and website:
consularasmara@state.gov

https://er.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle; green stands for the country's agriculture economy, red signifies the blood shed in the fight for freedom, and blue symbolizes the bounty of the sea; the wreath-olive branch symbol is similar to that on the first flag of Eritrea from 1952; the shape of the red triangle broadly mimics the shape of the country

note: one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Vanuatu
National symbol(s): camel; national colors: green, red, blue
National anthem: name: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea)

lyrics/music: SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion

note: adopted 1993; upon independence from Ethiopia
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Asmara: A Modernist African City

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Since formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced many economic problems, including lack of financial resources and chronic drought. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. Like the economies of many African nations, a large share of the population - nearly 80% in Eritrea - is engaged in subsistence agriculture, but the sector only produces a small share of the country's total output. Mining accounts for the lion's share of output.   The government has strictly controlled the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability; new regulations in 2013 aimed at relaxing currency controls have had little economic effect. Few large private enterprises exist in Eritrea and most operate in conjunction with government partners, including a number of large international mining ventures, which began production in 2013. In late 2015, the Government of Eritrea introduced a new currency, retaining the name nakfa, and restricted the amount of hard currency individuals could withdraw from banks per month. The changeover has resulted in exchange fluctuations and the scarcity of hard currency available in the market.   While reliable statistics on Eritrea are difficult to obtain, erratic rainfall and the large percentage of the labor force tied up in military service continue to interfere with agricultural production and economic development. Eritrea's harvests generally cannot meet the food needs of the country without supplemental grain purchases. Copper, potash, and gold production are likely to continue to drive limited economic growth and government revenue over the next few years, but military spending will continue to compete with development and investment plans.Since formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced many economic problems, including lack of financial resources and chronic drought. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. Like the economies of many African nations, a large share of the population - nearly 80% in Eritrea - is engaged in subsistence agriculture, but the sector only produces a small share of the country's total output. Mining accounts for the lion's share of output. The government has strictly controlled the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability; new regulations in 2013 aimed at relaxing currency controls have had little economic effect. Few large private enterprises exist in Eritrea and most operate in conjunction with government partners, including a number of large international mining ventures, which began production in 2013. In late 2015, the Government of Eritrea introduced a new currency, retaining the name nakfa, and restricted the amount of hard currency individuals could withdraw from banks per month. The changeover has resulted in exchange fluctuations and the scarcity of hard currency available in the market. While reliable statistics on Eritrea are difficult to obtain, erratic rainfall and the large percentage of the labor force tied up in military service continue to interfere with agricultural production and economic development. Eritrea's harvests generally cannot meet the food needs of the country without supplemental grain purchases. Copper, potash, and gold production are likely to continue to drive limited economic growth and government revenue over the next few years, but military spending will continue to compete with development and investment plans.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.702 billion (2017 est.)

$8.953 billion (2016 est.)

$8.791 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2017 est.)

1.9% (2016 est.)

2.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2017 est.)

$1,500 (2016 est.)

$1,500 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $5.813 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (2017 est.)

9% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.7% (2017 est.)

industry: 29.6% (2017 est.)

services: 58.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 80.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 24.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 6.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 10.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -22.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sorghum, milk, vegetables, barley, cereals, pulses nes, roots/tubers nes, wheat, millet, beef
Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement
Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.71 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80%

industry: 20% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.8% (2017 est.)

10% (2016 est.)
Population below poverty line: 50% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 2.029 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.601 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -9.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 131.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

132.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 34.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$137 million (2017 est.)

-$105 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $624.3 million (2017 est.)

$485.4 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: China 62%, South Korea 28.3% (2017)
Exports - commodities: gold and other minerals, livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small industry manufactures
Imports: $1.127 billion (2017 est.)

$1.048 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: UAE 14.5%, China 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 13.2%, Italy 12.9%, Turkey 5.6%, South Africa 4.6% (2017)
Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $236.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$218.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $792.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$875.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: nakfa (ERN) per US dollar -

15.38 (2017 est.)

15.375 (2016 est.)

15.375 (2015 est.)

15.375 (2014 est.)

15.375 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 47% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 95% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 13% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 228,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 394.46 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 61 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 5.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 5,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 3,897 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 798,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 798,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 3.217 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 66,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.801 million (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Eritrea’s telecom sector operates under a state-owned monopoly for fixed and mobile services; the country has the least developed telecommunications market in Africa; mobile subscriptions stands at only about 20%, while fixed-line internet use barely registers; this is exacerbated by the very low use of computers, with only about 4% of households having a computer, and most of these being in the capital, Asmara; the provision of internet services is open to competition, about 2% of households have access to the internet; the national telco, the Eritrean Telecommunication Services Corporation (EriTel), continues to roll out a 3G network which provides basic internet access to the majority or Eritreans; considerable investment in telecom infrastructure is still required to improve the quality of services; the government has embarked on a work program aimed at extending services to remote areas, improving the quality of services, and ensuring that more telecoms infrastructure is supported by solar power to compensate for the poor state of the electricity network; additional foreign investment in telecom infrastructure, as well as introduction of more competition, would help transform what remains a virtually untapped market. (2021)

domestic: fixed-line subscribership is less than 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is just over 20 per 100 (2019)

international: country code - 291 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: government controls broadcast media with private ownership prohibited; 1 state-owned TV station; state-owned radio operates 2 networks; purchases of satellite dishes and subscriptions to international broadcast media are permitted (2019)
Internet country code: .er
Internet users: total: 53,200 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 1% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 102,729 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: E3
Airports: total: 13 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Railways: total: 306 km (2018)

narrow gauge: 306 km (2018) 0.950-m gauge
Roadways: total: 16,000 km (2018)

paved: 1,600 km (2000)

unpaved: 14,400 km (2000)
Merchant marine: total: 9

by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 1, other 4 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Assab, Massawa

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Eritrean Defense Forces: Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2022)
Military expenditures: 10% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $640 million)

10.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $630 million)

10.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $630 million)

10.4% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $640 million)

10.6% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $600 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: limited available information; estimated 150,000-200,000 personnel, including about 2,000 in the naval and air forces (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Eritrean Defense Forces inventory is comprised primarily of older Russian and Soviet-era systems; Eritrea was under a UN arms embargo from 2009 to 2018; from the 1990s to 2008, Russia was the leading supplier of arms to Eritrea, followed by Belarus; in 2019, Eritrea expressed interest in purchasing Russian arms, including missile boats, helicopters, and small arms (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service (18-27 for female conscription); 18-month conscript service obligation, which includes 4-6 months of military training and one‐year of military or other national service (military service is most common); note - in practice, military service reportedly is often extended indefinitely (2021)

note: as of 2020, women reportedly made up as much as 30% of the Eritrean military
Military - note: in 2020-2021, the EDF assisted the Ethiopian Government in its war with the Tigray regional government, providing ground forces and combat aircraft; during the fighting, the EDF was accused of committing human rights abuses against civiliansin 2020-2021, the EDF assisted the Ethiopian Government in its war with the Tigray regional government, providing ground forces and combat aircraft; during the fighting, the EDF was accused of committing human rights abuses against civilians

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups; in 2008, Eritrean troops moved across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupied Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red SeaEritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting eastern Sudanese rebel groups; in 2008, Eritrean troops moved across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupied Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red Sea
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers export domestic victims in Eritrea or abroad; National Service is mandatory at age 18 and may take a variety of forms, including military service and physical labor but also government office jobs and teaching; Eritreans who flee the country, usually with the aim of reaching Europe, seek the help of paid smugglers and are vulnerable to trafficking when they cross the border clandestinely into Sudan, Ethiopia, and to a lesser extent Djibouti; Eritreans are subject to forced labor and sex trafficking mainly in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya

tier rating: Tier 3 — Eritrea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government engaged in critical bilateral and multilateral partnerships to build its capacity for anti-trafficking initiatives; officials participated in a UN-sponsored regional anti-trafficking workshop and committed to produce a regional plan of action to combat trafficking; however, a government policy or pattern of forced labor existed; the government continued to subject its nationals to forced labor in its compulsory national service and citizen militia by forcing them to serve indefinitely or for arbitrary periods; authorities did not report any trafficking investigations, prosecutions, or convictions, including complicit government employees, nor did they report identifying victims and referring them to care; the government has no action plan to combat human trafficking (2020)


Topic: Introduction
Background: A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements.A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 450,295 sq km

land: 410,335 sq km

water: 39,960 sq km
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Natural resources: iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,483,647 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Swedish 80.3%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.4%, other 15% (2020 est.)Swedish 80.3%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.4%, other 15%
Languages: Swedish (official)
Religions: Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 57.6%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 33.5% (2019 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.5% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital: name: Stockholm
Executive branch: chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 15 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree (daughter of the monarch, born 14 July 1977)

head of government: Prime Minister Magdalena ANDERSSON (since 30 November 2021); Deputy Prime Minister Morgan JOHANSSON (since 10 September 2019)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: small, open, competitive, and thriving economy that remains outside of the euro zone; has achieved an enviable standard of living, with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefitssmall, open, competitive, and thriving economy that remains outside of the euro zone; has achieved an enviable standard of living, with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $524.75 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $50,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, milk, sugar beet, barley, potatoes, oats, rapeseed, pork, rye, triticale
Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Exports: $240.08 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Germany 10%, Norway 9%, United States 8%, Denmark 7%, Finland 6%, United Kingdom 5%, Netherlands 5%, China 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019)
Imports: $217.68 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: Germany 18%, Netherlands 9%, Denmark 7%, Norway 7%, China 6%, Finland 5%, Belgium 5%, Poland 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Argentina. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 90 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: [54] (11) 5777-4533; US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Avenida Colombia 4300, (C1425GMN) Buenos Aires, Argentina; https://ar.usembassy.gov/; buenosaires-acs@state.gov
Telephone Code: 54
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 101; Fire: 107; Police: 101
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Currency (Code): Pesos (ARS); USD accepted
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, I

Major Languages: Spanish, Italian, English, German, French, Indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3%
Time Difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Argentina, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Buenos Aires; Mar Del Plata; Iguazú Falls;  Bariloche (fishing, hiking, and skiing); Mendoza (vineyards, Cerro Aconcagua); Patagonia (includes Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chaltén, Puerto Madryn  and the Valdés Peninsula; Tierra del Fuego National Park; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System
Major Sports: Pato (mix between polo and basketball), soccer, rugby
Cultural Practices: Hitting the palm of the left hand with the right fist means “I don’t believe what you are saying” or “That’s stupid.”
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not required, but common for good service. Conventionally, 10% tips are appropriate at restaurants, and leaving the change is normal for taxi cabs. Tip hotel doormen the equivalent of $1 (USD) per bag, and hotel maids the equivalent of $2-3 (USD) a day. A 10-20% tip for tour guides is appropriate.
Souvenirs: Leather goods, wine, alpaca wool clothing, mate gourds, gaucho knives/other traditional gaucho gear
Traditional Cuisine: Asado — cuts of beef, pork, chicken, or chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage) that are barbecued on a grillPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022