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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

Luxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services to pan-European audiences and is home to Europe's largest privately-owned broadcast media group, the RTL group, which operates 45 television stations and 31 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations are available; satellite and cable TV services are accessible (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.lu

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

244,225 (2010) country comparison to the world: 63

Internet users [time series]

424,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated international: country code - 352 (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

273,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

719,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy and livestock products

Central bank discount rate [time series]

1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 128 3% (31 December 2008) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Current account balance [time series]

$3.396 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $2.985 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.892 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This small, stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now accounts for about 28% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign owned and have extensive foreign dealings, but Luxembourg has lost some of its advantages as a tax haven because of OECD and EU pressure. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008, but unemployment has trended below the EU average. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted and 3.4% in 2009, but rebounded 2.6% in 2010. The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar, and is the highest in the EU. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5% government budget deficit in 2009, however, the deficit was cut below 3% in 2010.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - exports [time series]

2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$17.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $15.5 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 19.78%, France 15.87%, Belgium 11.07%, UK 7.96%, Italy 7.49%, Netherlands 4.31% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$52.43 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$40.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.55 billion (2009 est.) $41.07 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 13.6% services: 86% (2007 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$81,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $80,700 (2009 est.) $84,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 -3.7% (2009 est.) 1.4% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)

Imports [time series]

$23.67 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.76 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

Belgium 27.22%, Germany 23.14%, China 18.62%, France 8.85%, Netherlands 5.06% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Industries [time series]

banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 0.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

16.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Labor force [time series]

206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.2% industry: 17.2% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$105.6 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 45 $66.46 billion (31 December 2008) $166.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.268 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.263 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Oil - consumption [time series]

50,720 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Oil - exports [time series]

63 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Oil - imports [time series]

59,210 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 14.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $810 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$255.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $231.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA (31 December 2009 est.) $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$395.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $369.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$120.8 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 28 $121 billion (31 December 2009 est) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 5.7% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Climate [time series]

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.06 cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%) per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Location [time series]

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

1.6 cu km (2005)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Capital [time series]

name: Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 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

Constitution [time series]

17 October 1868; occasional revisions

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia STROUM embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 20 January 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

1839 (from the Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%; seats by party - CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1 note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William) lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg

National holiday [time series]

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Michel WOLTER]; dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left); Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; other minor parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); Greenpeace (environment protection); LCGP (center-right trade union); Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology); OGBL (center-left trade union)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839 but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 117,892 females age 16-49: 116,517 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 96,585 females age 16-49: 95,519 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 3,211 female: 3,057 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.7 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Death rate [time series]

8.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 125

Ethnic groups [time series]

Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.48 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 76.22 years female: 82.95 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 39.3 years male: 38.3 years female: 40.3 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg

Net migration rate [time series]

8.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Population [time series]

497,538 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Population growth rate [time series]

1.158% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.066 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.78 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 47 country comparison to the world: 72 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 16, container 10, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 10 foreign-owned: 45 (Belgium 9, France 16, Germany 9, Netherlands 2, Switzerland 1, UK 5, US 3) registered in other countries: 16 (Italy 12, Malta 3, Panama 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 155 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Mertert

Railways [time series]

total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 124 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 5,227 km country comparison to the world: 152 paved: 5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2008)

Waterways [time series]

37 km (on Moselle River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106