

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