Liechtenstein

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.

Land

160 sq km

Total

160 sq km

Water

0 sq km

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Europe

Highest point

Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m

Lowest point

Ruggeller Riet 430 m

47 16 N, 9 32 E

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

0 sq km (2012)

Border countries

Austria 34 km; Switzerland 41 km

number of neighbors

2

Total

75 km

Agricultural land

32.3% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 10.8% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 21.5% (2023 est.)

arable land

10.81%

Forest

36.3% (2023 est.)

Other

31.4% (2023 est.)

Yes

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Atlantic Ocean drainage

Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/KNuHeiJzAPodwM7y6

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/1155955

Europe

none (landlocked)

avalanches, landslides

hydroelectric potential, arable land

most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River

Western Europe

mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third

UTC+01:00

number of time zones

1

0-14 years

15.3% (male 3,412/female 2,732)

15-64 years

63.9% (male 12,814/female 12,921)

65 years and over

20.8% (2024 est.) (male 3,846/female 4,547)

10.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

64.7% (2020 est.)

8.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

adult female

31 per 1,000

adult male

44 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

33.6 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

3 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

57.6 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

23.9 (2025 est.)

improved total

100%

Improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Liechtensteiner 65.6%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrian 5.8%, German 4.5%, Italian 3.1%, other 11.4% (2021 est.)

note

<strong>note:</strong> data represent population by nationality

0.75 (2025 est.)

6 % of GDP

Female

3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

4.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 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.)

Major-language sample(s)

<br>Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

number of languages

1

Female

85.8 years

Male

80.7 years

Total population

83 years (2024 est.)

5,000 VADUZ (capital) (2018)

Female

46.1 years

Male

42.4 years

Total

44.4 years (2025 est.)

31.3 years (2017)

Adjective

Liechtenstein

Noun

Liechtensteiner(s)

4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

1.3 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Female

20,332

Male

20,215

Total

40,547 (2025 est.)

0.68% (2025 est.)

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.)

improved total

96.3%

Improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: NA

Female

14 years (2021 est.)

Male

16 years (2021 est.)

Total

15 years (2021 est.)

0-14 years

1.25 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

At birth

1.26 male(s)/female

Total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

1.69 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

14.6% of total population (2023)

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

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Etymology

may be a conflation from the Latin <em>vallis</em> (valley) and the Old German <em>dutsch</em> (German) to produce <em>Valdutsch</em> ("German valley"), which was simplified over time to Vaduz

Geographic coordinates

47 08 N, 9 31 E

Name

Vaduz

Time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship by birth

no

Citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

Dual citizenship recognized

no

Residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/li.svg

Amendment process

proposed by Parliament, by the reigning prince (in the form of "Government" proposals), by petition of at least 1,500 qualified voters, or by at least four communes; passage requires unanimous approval of Parliament members in one sitting or three-quarters majority vote in two successive sittings; referendum required only if petitioned by at least 1,500 voters or by at least four communes; passage by referendum requires absolute majority of votes cast

History

previous 1862; latest adopted 5 October 1921

alternative spellings

LI, Principality of Liechtenstein, Fürstentum Liechtenstein

Conventional long form

Principality of Liechtenstein

Conventional short form

Liechtenstein

Etymology

named after the Liechtenstein family that purchased and united the counties of Schellenburg and Vaduz in 1719; the family name was taken from its Austrian castle of the same name, which in German means "light stone"

FIFA code

LIE

Local long form

Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local long form (deu)

Fürstentum Liechtenstein

Local short form

Liechtenstein

Embassy

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein

Chancery

2900 K Street NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007

Chief of mission

Ambassador Georg SPARBER (since 1 December 2021)

Email address and website

<br>washington@llv.li<br><br>https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 331-3221

Telephone

[1] (202) 331-0590

Cabinet

Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch

Chief of state

Prince HANS-ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers on 26 August 1984)

Election/appointment process

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the monarch usually appoints the leader of the majority party in Parliament as the head of government, and also appoints the leader of the largest minority party in Parliament as the deputy head of government if there is a coalition government

Head of government

Prime Minister Brigitte HAAS (since 10 April 2025)

Note

<strong>note</strong>: the prince's successor is his son, Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS; on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but Prince HANS-ADAM II retains the status of chief of state

<strong>description:</strong> two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red, with a gold crown on the left side of the blue band<br><br><strong>history: </strong>the colors may derive from the blue-and-red livery used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was added in 1937 to distinguish it from Haiti's flag

The flag of Liechtenstein is composed of two equal horizontal bands of blue and red, with a golden-yellow crown on the hoist side of the blue band.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/li.svg

constitutional monarchy

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

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Supreme Court or F&uuml;rstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof (consists of 5 judges and 5 substitutes); Constitutional Court or Staatsgerichtshof (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 judges appointed for renewable 5-year terms

Subordinate courts

Court of Appeal (second instance), Regional Court (first instance), Administrative Court, Tribunal Court, district courts

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

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

February 2029

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

Diet (Landtag)

Most recent election date

2/9/2025

Number of seats

25 (all directly elected)

Parties elected and seats per party

Patriotic Union (VU) (10); Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) (7); Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL) (6); Free List (FL) (2)

Percentage of women in chamber

32%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

the six motifs on the coat of arms provide a history of the royal House of Liechtenstein since 1719, when the country was founded; the small shield at the center is the royal family&rsquo;s gold-and-red coat of arms, the gold-crowned eagle signifies the Silesia family, the diamond wreath represents the Kuenringer family, the red-and-silver shield is the Duchy of Troppau, the black eagle comes from the coat of arms of a family that married into the royal line, and the golden hunting horn represents the Duchy of J&auml;gerndorf

blue, red

National Day, 15 August (1940)

note

<strong>note:</strong> a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday in 1990

princely hat (crown)

Democrats for Liechtenstein (Demokraten pro Liechtenstein) or DpL <br>Fatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU <br>Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP <br>The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL <br>The Independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU 

Monday

18 years of age; universal

Yes

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

code

CHF

name

Swiss franc (CHF) [Fr]

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 francs (CHF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

0.939 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.914 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.955 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.898 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

0.88 (2024 est.)

Exports 2014

$3.774 billion (2014 est.)

Exports 2015

$3.217 billion (2015 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware

note

top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Agriculture

0.2% (2022 est.)

Industry

40.6% (2022 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

55.6% (2022 est.)

$8.395 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$206,781

$7.76 billion

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

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

-0.7% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

0.6% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

2.8% (2022 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> annual % change based on consumer prices

Note

<strong>note:</strong> data in 2015 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$6.885 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$7.031 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$7.172 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> data in 2015 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$187,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$201,200 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$210,600 (2024 est.)

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

56.9%

per 100 inhabitants

49 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

50 (2023 est.)

Total

20,000 (2023 est.)

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

.li

Percent of population

97% (2023 est.)

####

+423

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

26 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions

10,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100

127 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

129 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

51,400 (2024 est.)

HB

Right

2 (2025)

By type

bulk carrier 14, general cargo 1, other 2 (includes Switzerland)

Total

17 (2023)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland

Standard gauge

9 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

Total

9 km (2018)

FL

no regular military forces; National Police of the Principality of Liechtenstein (Landespolizei des F&uuml;rstentums Liechtenstein)

Refugees

875 (2024 est.)

some air pollution generated locally, some carried over from surrounding countries

Party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Law of the Sea

45 % of total land area

Municipal

10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

32,400 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

64.6% (2015 est.)