Luxembourg

Luxembourg

Introduction

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

Location

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references

Europe

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

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

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

Elevation extremes

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

Natural resources

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use

arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops:0.69%
other:71.89% (includes Belgium) (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Total renewable water resources

1.6 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.06cu km/yr (42%/45%/13%)
per capita:121cu m/yr (1999)

Natural hazards

NA

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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Luxembourger(s)
adjective:Luxembourg

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)

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

503,302 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.2% (male 47,274/female 44,366)
15-64 years:66.9% (male 169,343/female 167,211)
65 years and over:14.9% (male 31,086/female 44,022) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 39.4 years
male:38.4 years
female:40.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.145% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Birth rate

11.69 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Death rate

8.48 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Net migration rate

8.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Urbanization

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

Major cities – population

LUXEMBOURG (capital) 90,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.066 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.7 male(s)/female
total population:0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

17 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 192 male:4.46 deaths/1,000 live births
female:4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.61 years
country comparison to the world: 36 male:76.36 years
female:83.08 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.77 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Health expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 158

Physicians density

2.862 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 43

Hospital bed density

5.57 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male:13 years
female:13 years (2006)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 17.2%
country comparison to the world: 68 male:16.7%
female:17.8% (2009)

Government

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

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

Administrative divisions

3 districts

Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Independence

1839 (from the Netherlands)

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

Constitution

17 October 1868

occasional revisions

Legal system

civil law system

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

accepts ICCt 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 20 January 1995)

Deputy Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July 2004)
cabinet:Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World 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 – CSV and LSAP

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 7 June 2009 (next to be held by June 2014)
election results:percent of vote by party – CSV 38%, LSAP 21.6%, DP 15%, Green Party 11.7%, ADR 8.1%, The Left 3.3%, other 2.3%

seats by party – CSV 26, LSAP 13, DP 9, Green Party 7, ADR 4, The Left 1
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

Constitutional Court

judicial courts and tribunals (Superior Court of Justice includes Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation, 2 district tribunals, 3 lesser tribunals)

administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor’s Office, Administrative Tribunal and Administrative Court)

judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]

Christian Social People’s Party or CSV [Michel WOLTER]

dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left)

Democratic Party or DP [Claude MEISCH]

Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]

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)

Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce)

Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans)

FEDIL (federation of industrialists)

Greenpeace (environment protection)

LCGP (center-right trade union)

Mouvement Ecologique (protection of ecology)

OGBL (center-left trade union)

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Paul SENNINGER
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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia STROUM
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

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

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Ons Heemecht” (Our Motherland)

“De Wilhelmus” (The William)
lyrics/music:Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN

Nikolaus WELTER/unknown
note:”Ons Heemecht,” adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while “De Wilhelmus,” adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg

Economy

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 28% 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 tax haven because of OECD and EU pressure. The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for about 60% 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 and 3.7% in 2009, but rebounded 3.2% in 2010. The country continues to enjoy an extraordinarily high standard of living – GDP per capita ranks third in the world, after Liechtenstein and Qatar, and is the highest in the EU. 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 1.4% in 2010.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$41.09 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98 $39.74 billion (2009 est.)
$41.25 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$54.95 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113 -3.7% (2009 est.)
1.4% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$82,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3 $80,800 (2009 est.)
$84,900 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0.4%
industry:13.6%
services:86% (2007 est.)

Labor force

205,900
country comparison to the world: 168 note:125,400 workers commute daily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 5.7% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Distribution of family income – Gini index

26 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134

Investment (gross fixed)

16.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Budget

revenues: $21.87 billion
expenditures:$22.67 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Public debt

19.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111 16.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 0.4% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 110 1.75% (31 December 2009)
note:this is the European Central Bank’s rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.283% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182 2.692% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$90.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $90.86 billion (31 December 2009 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

Stock of broad money

$235.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36 $241.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$395.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $369.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$101.1 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 40 $105.6 billion (31 December 2009)
$66.46 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

grapes, barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits

dairy and livestock products

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity – production

2.667 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Electricity – consumption

6.453 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Electricity – exports

2.604 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

3.418 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Oil – consumption

60,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Oil – exports

686 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Oil – imports

51,930 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Natural gas – consumption

1.366 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas – imports

1.366 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Current account balance

$4.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36 $3.577 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$16.8 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 $15.53 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

Germany 22.3%, France 15.5%, Belgium 12.1%, UK 9.2%, Italy 7.2%, Netherlands 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$22.08 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 $19.85 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports – partners

Belgium 31.4%, Germany 25.1%, France 11.6%, China 9.2%, Netherlands 5.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$800 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 $800 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$2.146 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 10 $1.892 trillion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA (31 December 2009 est.)
$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.755 (2010)
0.7198 (2009)
0.6827 (2008)
0.7345 (2007)
0.7964 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

2 (2010)
country comparison to the world:202

Airports – with paved runways

total: 1
over 3,047 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 1
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 142 km

refined products 27 km (2010)

Railways

total: 275 km
country comparison to the world: 123 standard gauge:275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 5,227 km
country comparison to the world: 152 paved:5,227 km (includes 147 km of expressways) (2008)

Waterways

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

Merchant marine

total: 47
country comparison to the world: 72 by type:bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 16, container 10, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 10
foreign-owned:45 (Belgium 9, France 16, Germany 9, Netherlands 2, Switzerland 1, UK 5, US 3)
registered in other countries:16 (Italy 12, Malta 3, Panama 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mertert

Military

Military branches

Army (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service

soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions

no conscription

Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2010)

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 expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none