Luxembourg

Grand Duchy of LuxembourgGrand Duche de Luxembourg

constitutional monarchyIndependence 1839 (from the Netherlands)

Luxembourg as the 2004 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 122 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalLuxembourg

Position49 45 N, 6 10 E

Area2,586 sq km

LocationWestern Europe, between France and Germany

Populationas each edition published it

462,690 people July 2004 est. · 383,813 in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.28% 2004 est. · 1.04% in 1993

Median ageyears

38.3 years 2004 est. · 38.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

78.58 years 2004 est. · 76.43 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.79 children per woman 2004 est. · 1.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

4.88 deaths per 1,000 live births 2004 est. · 7 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$55,100 2003 est. · $21,700 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

1.2% 2003 est. · 2.5% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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.

Geography

Western Europe, between France and Germany

18 fields

Land useshare of 2,586 sq km

arable land 23.28%permanent crops 0.4%other 76.32% (includes Belgium) (2001)irrigated 40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.)

Area

2,586sq km

land: 2,586 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Rhode Island

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

559m

Buurgplaatzlowest point: Moselle River 133 m

Land boundaries

359km

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

Location

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references

Europe

Climate

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain

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

Natural resources

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Natural hazards

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Geography - note

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

People

19 fields

Population

462,690

(July 2004 est.)growth rate: 1.28% (2004 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2004 est.)

Birth

12.21Death

8.42Net migration

8.97

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2004 est.)78.58

75.31 · 82.07Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)4.88

4.84 · 4.92

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2000 est.)100%

100% · 100%Median age years (2004 est.)38.3

37.4 · 39.3

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2%

(2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 19% (male 45,422; female 42,638)
15-64 years:: 66.4% (male 155,519; female 151,891)
65 years and over:: 14.5% (male 26,981; female 40,239) (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Luxembourger(s)
adjective:: Luxembourg

Ethnic groups

Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo) and European (guest and resident workers)

Religions

87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000)

Languages

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

Government

Constitutional monarchy; Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

36.1%

CSV 36.1%LSAP 23.4%DP 16.1%Green Party 11.6%ADR 10%last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009)

Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes, 60 seats, elected 13 June 2004one dot, one seat

CSV 24LSAP 14DP 10Green Party 7ADR 5

Percent of vote

CSV 36.1%LSAP 23.4%DP 16.1%Green Party 11.6%ADR 10%

Country name

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

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

Luxembourg

Administrative divisions

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Independence

1839 (from the Netherlands)

National holiday

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June

Constitution

17 October 1868, occasional revisions

Legal system

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

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 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
elections:: none;
the monarch is hereditary;
following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch;
the deputy prime minister is appointed by the monarch;
they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies

note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009)
election results:: percent of vote by party - CSV 36.1%, LSAP 23.4%, DP 16.1%, Green Party 11.6%, ADR 10%; seats by party - CSV 24, LSAP 14, DP 10, Green Party 7, ADR 5

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

Judicial branch

judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 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

Political parties and leaders

Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Gast GIBERYOEN];
Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Francois BILTGEN];
Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH];
Green Party [Francois BAUSCH];
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY];
Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership];
other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

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);
LCGP (center-right trade union);
OGBL (center-left trade union)

International organization participation

ACCT, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURD
chancery:: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 265-4171
FAX:: [1] (202) 328-8270
consulate(s) general:: New York and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr.
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

Flag description

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;
design was based on the flag of France

Economy

This stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment.

40 fields

Real growth rate

1.2%

(2003 est.)industrial production growth: 1.7% (2003 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

(2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.6%

(2003 est.)

Labor force

200,000

(of whom 87,400 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2003)

GDP - composition by sector(2002 est.)

agriculture 0.5%industry 16.6%services 82.9% (2002 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

10.4%

Belgium

29%

23.3%

Germany

22.9%

19%

France

11.4%

China

10.9%

9.1%

6.8%

Italy

4.3%

Netherlands

4.8%

4.6%

Spain

Exports $8.571 billion f.o.b. (2002)Imports $11.61 billion c.i.f. (2002)(2003)

Budget

Revenues

$11.82 billionExpenditures

$12.06 billion (2003 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $760 million

Electricity

Electricity production

457 million (2001)Electricity consumption

6.07 billion (2001)Electricity exports

744 million (2001)Electricity imports

6.389 billion (2001)

Economy - overview

This stable, high-income economy features 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 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel.

Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for more than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country has maintained a fairly strong growth rate and enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $25.01 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $55,100 (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.7% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 1.9%, industry 8%, services 90.1% (1999 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products

Industries

banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

634 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

50,700 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

865 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

867 million cu m (2001 est.)

Exports

$8.571 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$11.61 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Debt - external

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $147 million (2002)

Currency

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries;

on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code

EUR

Exchange rates

euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

473,000

(2002)

Internet users

28,214

(2003)

Fixed lines

355,400

(2002) · country code .lu

Telephone system

general assessment:: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables
domestic:: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable
international:: country code - 352; 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Television broadcast stations

5 (1999)

Internet users

165,000 (2002)

Transportation

10 fields

Merchant marine, 40 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1,000 GRT or over) 652,454 GRT/805,101 DWT

chemical tanker 11container 8liquefied gas 4passenger 4petroleum tanker 6roll on/roll off 7foreign-owned: Belgium 7, Denmark 1, Finland 3, France 3, Germany 10, Monaco 1, Netherlands 5, Switzerland 1, United Kingdom 7, United States 3 · registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m

Networkskm

Highways

5,189Railways

274Waterways

37 (2003)

Highways: paved: 5,189 km (including 114 km of expressways) · unpaved: 0 km (2000) · Railways: standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2003) · Waterways: (on Moselle River)