Luxembourg

Broadcast media

Luxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services to pan-European audiences and is home to Europe's largest privately owned broadcast media group, the RTL group, which operates 46 TV stations and 29 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations available; satellite and cable TV services available (2008)

Internet country code

.lu

Internet hosts

250,900 (2012) country comparison to the world: 68

Internet users

424,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121

Telephone system

general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: fixed line teledensity over 50 per 100 persons; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system with market for mobile-cellular phones virtually saturated international: country code - 352 (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

266,700 (2012) country comparison to the world: 122

Telephones - mobile cellular

761,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 161

Agriculture - products

grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits; dairy and livestock products

Budget

revenues: $24.07 billion expenditures: $24.53 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 128 1.75% (31 December 2010) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Current account balance

$3.272 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $4.199 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.643 trillion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.084 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 130

Economy - overview

This small, stable, high-income economy - benefiting from its proximity to France, Belgium, and Germany - has historically featured 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 27% of GDP, has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive foreign dealings, but Luxembourg has lost some of its advantages as a favorable tax location because of OECD and EU pressure. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 40% of its labor force. Luxembourg, like all EU members, suffered from the global economic crisis that began in late 2008, but unemployment has trended below the EU average. Following strong expansion from 2004 to 2007, Luxembourg's economy contracted 3.6% in 2009, but rebounded in 2010-11 before slowing again in 2012. The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living - GDP per capita ranks among the highest in the world, and is the highest in the euro zone. Turmoil in the world financial markets and lower global demand during 2008-09 prompted the government to inject capital into the banking sector and implement stimulus measures to boost the economy. Government stimulus measures and support for the banking sector, however, led to a 5% government budget deficit in 2009. Nevertheless, the deficit was cut to 1.1% in 2011 and 0.9% in 2012. Even during the financial crisis and recovery, Luxembourg retained the highest current account surplus as a share of GDP in the euro zone, owing largely to their strength in financial services. Public debt remains among the lowest of the region although it has more than doubled since 2007 as percentage of GDP. Luxembourg's economy, while stabile, grew slowly in 2012 due to ongoing weak growth in the euro area. Authorities have strengthened supervision of domestic banks because of their exposure to the activities of foreign banks.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)

Exports

$15.93 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $18.81 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 21.5%, France 15.5%, Belgium 14.5%, UK 5.8%, Italy 5.6%, Switzerland 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$56.37 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$41.86 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $41.72 billion (2011 est.) $41.04 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 31.2% government consumption: 16.9% investment in fixed capital: 21.6% investment in inventories: 1.3% exports of goods and services: 171% imports of goods and services: -142.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.3% industry: 13.5% services: 86.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$78,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $80,300 (2011 est.) $80,900 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 1.7% (2011 est.) 2.9% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)

Imports

$23.78 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $26.27 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners

Belgium 30.6%, Germany 23.6%, France 10.4%, US 8.3%, China 7.2%, Netherlands 5.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Industries

banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 3.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

208,200 country comparison to the world: 168 note: data exclude foreign workers; in addition to the figure for domestic labor force, about 150,000 workers commute daily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 2.2% industry: 17.2% services: 80.6% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$67.63 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 42 $101.1 billion (31 December 2010) $105.6 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

20.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 18.3% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$991 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.014 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$229.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$97.39 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $95.08 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$89.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $90.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

42.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 5.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

11.87 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - consumption

6.445 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity - exports

2.623 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Electricity - from fossil fuels

28.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - imports

6.684 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.723 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Electricity - production

2.07 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas - consumption

1.364 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Natural gas - imports

1.206 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 162

Refined petroleum products - consumption

61,380 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Refined petroleum products - exports

52.22 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Refined petroleum products - imports

56,780 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Area

total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 179 land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Climate

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.06 cu km/yr (65%/33%/1%) per capita: 135.9 cu m/yr (2010)

Geographic coordinates

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Land use

arable land: 23.9% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 75.52% (includes Belgium) (2011)

Location

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

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

Total renewable water resources

3.1 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Capital

name: Luxembourg geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

previous 1842 (heavily amended 1848, 1856); latest effective 17 October 1968; amended many times, last in 2008 (2008)

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert MANDELL (since 25 October 2011) 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Louis WOLZFELD (since 11 September 2012) chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 through 72 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco

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 Xavier BETTEL (since 25 October 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Etienne SCHNEIDER (since 25 July 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following popular elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies note: government coalition - DP, LSAP, and the Green Party (first time since 1979 that the CSV is in opposition)

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; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

1839 (from the Netherlands)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Superior Court of Justice includes Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation (consists of 27 judges on 9 benches); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: judges of both courts appointed by the monarch for life subordinate courts: district and local tribunals and courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 20 October 2013 (next to be held by June 2018) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 33.7%, LSAP 20.3%, DP 18.3%, Green Party 10.1%, ADR 6.6%, The Left 4.5%, other 6.1%; seats by party - CSV 23, LSAP 13, DP 13, Green Party 6, ADR 3, The Left 2 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

National anthem

name: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William)

National holiday

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note - the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Jean SCHOOS] Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Michel WOLTER] The Left (dei Lenk/la Gauche) [Fabienne LENTZ and David WAGNER] Democratic Party or DP [Xavier BETTEL] Green Party [Sam TANSON and Christian GOEBEL] Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY] 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) Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de Commerce) Chamber of Artisans (Chambre des Metiers) FEDIL (federation of industrialists) Greenpeace (environment protection) LCGP (center-right trade union) Mouvement Ecologique (environment protection) OGBL (center-left trade union)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

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. In January 2013, Luxembourg assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 118,665 females age 16-49: 117,456 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 97,290 females age 16-49: 96,361 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 3,263 female: 3,084 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Luxembourg Army (L'Armee Luxembourgeoises) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 47,679/female 44,812) 15-24 years: 12.6% (male 33,182/female 31,860) 25-54 years: 42.3% (male 109,075/female 108,922) 55-64 years: 11.8% (male 30,481/female 30,422) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 32,892/female 45,537) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

11.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Death rate

8.52 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 46.5 % youth dependency ratio: 25.7 % elderly dependency ratio: 20.8 % potential support ratio: 4.8 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 118

Ethnic groups

Luxembourger 63.1%, Portuguese 13.3%, French 4.5%, Italian 4.3%, German 2.3%, other EU 7.3%, other 5.2% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 70

Hospital bed density

5.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 193 male: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Luxembourgish (official administrative language and national language (spoken vernacular)), French (official administrative language), German (official administrative language)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.88 years country comparison to the world: 36 male: 76.64 years female: 83.33 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2000 est.)

Major urban areas - population

LUXEMBOURG (capital) 90,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 142

Median age

total: 39.6 years male: 38.5 years female: 40.6 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.3 (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg

Net migration rate

8.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26% (2008) country comparison to the world: 50

Physicians density

2.78 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

514,862 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Population growth rate

1.13% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Religions

Roman Catholic 87%, other (includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 13% (2000)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2010)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 16.8% country comparison to the world: 78 male: 13.3% female: 20.8% (2011)

Urbanization

urban population: 85% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 177 (2012)

Airports

2 (2013) country comparison to the world: 202

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 49 country comparison to the world: 71 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 3, chemical tanker 20, container 10, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 12 foreign-owned: 48 (Belgium 11, Denmark 1, France 15, Germany 9, Japan 3, Netherlands 3, Switzerland 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 18 (Italy 14, Malta 3, Panama 1) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 142 km; refined products 27 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Mertert

Railways

total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 123 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 2,899 km country comparison to the world: 167 paved: 2,899 km (includes 152 km of expressways) (2011)

Waterways

37 km (on Moselle River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 105