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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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

Internet country code [time series]

.li

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

14,278 (2012) country comparison to the world: 128

Internet users [time series]

23,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: automatic telephone system domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined telephone service subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay (2011)

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

20,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 185

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

38,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 204

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.29 billion expenditures: $1.372 billion (2011 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.6% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (2001) country comparison to the world: 205

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and likely the second highest per capita income in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011 Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries.

Exchange rates [time series]

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.94 (2012) 0.89 (2011) 1.04 (2010) 1.09 (2009) 1.08 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$3.76 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $3.191 billion (2010 est.) note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.113 billion (2010)

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

$3.2 billion (2009) country comparison to the world: 179 $3.216 billion (2008) $3.159 billion (2007)

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

agriculture: 8% industry: 37% services: 55% (2009)

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

$89,400 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $90,600 (2008 est.) $89,700 (2007 est.)

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

-0.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 1.8% (2008 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$2.218 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $1.806 billion (2010 est.) note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.2% (2011) country comparison to the world: 5 0.7% (2010)

Labor force [time series]

35,250 (2012) country comparison to the world: 202 note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commuted daily from Austria, Switzerland, or Germany (2012)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 0.8% industry: 39.4% services: 59.9% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

25.2% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.5% (2011) country comparison to the world: 18 2.2% (2010)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 160 sq km country comparison to the world: 219 land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

47 16 N, 9 32 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 21.88% permanent crops: 0% other: 78.12% (2011)

Location [time series]

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

hydroelectric potential, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921; amended many times, last in 2010 (2012)

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland, currently Charge d'Affaires Jeffrey CELLARS, is accredited to Liechtenstein

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE (since 7 December 2000) chancery: 2900 K Street, NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590 FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state head of government: Head of Government (Prime Minister) Adrian HASLER (since 27 March 2013) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

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

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 5 judges); Constitutional Court or Verfassungsgericht (consists of 5 judges and 5 alternates) judge selection and term of office: judges of both courts elected by the Landtag and appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Obergericht (second instance), Court of Justice (first instance), Administrative Court, county courts

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 3 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 40.0%, VU 33.5%, DU 15.3% FL 11.1%; seats by party - FBP 10, VU 8, DU 4, FL 3

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

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

National holiday [time series]

Assumption Day, 15 August

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

The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL [Wolfgang MARXER] the independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER] Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP [Alexander BATLINER] Fatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU [Jakob BUECHEL]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 8,009 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 6,538 females age 16-49: 6,746 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 219 female: 211 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

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

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

no regular military forces; National Police maintains close relations with neighboring forces (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.9% (male 3,101/female 2,785) 15-24 years: 11.7% (male 2,183/female 2,149) 25-54 years: 43.6% (male 8,026/female 8,110) 55-64 years: 13.4% (male 2,466/female 2,478) 65 years and over: 15.4% (male 2,570/female 3,141) (2013 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.67 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Death rate [time series]

6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 165

Ethnic groups [time series]

Liechtensteiner 65.6%, other 34.4% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 192 male: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages [time series]

German (official), Alemannic dialect

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81.59 years country comparison to the world: 12 male: 79.45 years female: 84.29 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population [time series]

VADUZ (capital) 5,000 (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 42.1 years male: 41.1 years female: 43.1 years (2013 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein

Net migration rate [time series]

4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Population [time series]

37,009 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Population growth rate [time series]

0.81% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic (official) 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)

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

total: 15 years male: 16 years female: 14 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.26 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.69 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 14% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 5 (2012)

Transportation

Pipelines [time series]

gas 20 km (2013)

Railways [time series]

total: 9 km country comparison to the world: 134 standard gauge: 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 380 km country comparison to the world: 201 paved: 380 km (2012)

Waterways [time series]

28 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 106