Liechtenstein
Principality of LiechtensteinFuerstentum Liechtenstein
hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis
Liechtenstein as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 104 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 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. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering.
Geography
Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
18 fieldsLand useshare of 160 sq km
Climate
- continental;
- cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain;
- cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography - note
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2003 est.)
Male · female
Religions(June 2002)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 18.1% (male 2,979; female 3,008)
- 15-64 years:
- 70.6% (male 11,646; female 11,740)
- 65 years and over:
- 11.3% (male 1,538; female 2,234) (2003 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.69 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Government
Hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis; Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)
18 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Parliament or Landtag, 25 seats, elected 11 February 2001one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Principality of Liechtenstein
- conventional short form:
- Liechtenstein
- local short form:
- Liechtenstein
- local long form:
- Fuerstentum Liechtenstein
Administrative divisions
11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence
23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968)
- elections:
- none;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
- cabinet:
- Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch
- head of government:
- Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1
- elections:
- last held 11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)
Political parties and leaders
- Fatherland Union or VU [Oswald KRANZ];
- Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Ernst WALCH];
- The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER]
International organization participation
CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE
- chancery:
- 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 216-0460
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 216-0459
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also 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
Economy
31 fieldsEconomy - 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 its large European neighbors. 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 or so-called letter box 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.
Labor force
29,000 of which 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (37256)
Industries
electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Exports - commodities
small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Exports - partners
EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%
Imports - commodities
agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Exchange rates
Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- automatic telephone system
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
Transportation
6 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918
Illicit drugs
multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Liechtenstein.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/liechtenstein/2003.