Member States · Liechtenstein Fact Sheet

Background

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude 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.

Geography

Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 10 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: 76 km. Border countries: Austria 35 km, Switzerland 41 km. 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 extremes: Lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m. Highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m. Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land.

Land use

Arable land: 24%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 16%
Forests and woodland: 35%
Other: 25% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km

People

Population: 32,207 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 2,970; female 2,988). 15-64 years: 71% (male 11,379; female 11,370). 65 years and over: 11% (male 1,393; female 2,107) (2000 est.).
Population growth rate: 1.02% (2000 est.). Birth rate: 11.83 births/1,000 population (2000 est.).
Death rate: 6.64 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.). Net migration rate: 5.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.).

Nationality

Noun: Liechtensteiner(s)
Adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic groups: Alemannic 87.5%, Italian, Turkish, and other 12.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 7.4%, unknown 7.7%, other 4.9% (1996)
Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect.

Country name

Conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein
Conventional short form: Liechtenstein
Local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
Local short form: Liechtenstein
Data code: LS
Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire. National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August.

Economy

Overview: 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 living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18% - and easy incorporation rules have induced about 73,700 holding or so-called letterbox 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 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.

Labor force:

22,891 of which 13,847 are foreigners; 8,231 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day. By occupation: industry, trade, and building 45%, services 53%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 2% (1997 est.). Unemployment rate: 1.8% (February 1999)
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SFR) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi.

Communications

Telephones: 19,000 (1995)
Mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: automatic telephone system. Domestic: NA
International: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, short-wave 0 (1998)
Radios: 21,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)
Televisions: 12,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 115 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (1999)

Transportation

Railways: total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian
Federal Railways standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways: total: 250 km. Paved: 250 km. Unpaved: 0 km
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: none

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