Country Summary: Liechtenstein (Principality of Liechtenstein)
Country Name: Liechtenstein (Principality of Liechtenstein)
Capital: Vaduz
Government Type: constitutional monarchy
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.
Continent: Europe
Population: 39,993 (2023 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Liechtensteiner 65.6%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrian 5.8%, German 4.5%, Italian 3.1%, other 11.4% (2021 est.)
Languages: German 91.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic (official) 73.4%, Protestant Reformed 6.3%, Muslim 5.9%, Christian Orthodox 1.3%, Lutheran 1.2%, other Protestant 0.7%, other Christian 0.3%, other 0.8%, none 7%, unspecified 3.3% (2015 est.)
Economic Overview: high-income European economy; Schengen Area participant; key European financial leader; integrated with Swiss economy and franc currency user; one of the highest GDP per capita countries; relies on US and Eurozone markets for exports
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $4.978 billion (2014 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: 1.8% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per Capita: $139,100 (2009 est.)
Exports:
$3.217 billion (2015 est.) note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Comparison Ranking: 149
Export 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
Comparison Ranking: 173
Import Commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Natural Resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land
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:
4.3% (2014 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Comparison Ranking: 81
Labor Force: 38,520 (2015 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4% (2015)
Natural Hazards: avalanches, landslides
Geography:
Total: 160 sq km
Land: 160 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
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