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 45 television stations and 31 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 are available; satellite and cable TV services are accessible (2008)

Internet country code

.lu

Internet hosts

244,225 (2010) country comparison to the world: 63

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 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

273,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 119

Telephones - mobile cellular

719,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 128 3% (31 December 2008) 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

$3.396 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $2.985 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$1.892 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 11 $2.02 trillion (31 December 2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132

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 3.4% in 2009, but rebounded 2.6% 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, however, the deficit was cut below 3% in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

6.525 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - exports

2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

6.83 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

2.696 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)

Exports

$17.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $15.5 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 19.78%, France 15.87%, Belgium 11.07%, UK 7.96%, Italy 7.49%, Netherlands 4.31% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$52.43 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $39.55 billion (2009 est.) $41.07 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$81,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $80,700 (2009 est.) $84,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 -3.7% (2009 est.) 1.4% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$23.67 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.76 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners

Belgium 27.22%, Germany 23.14%, China 18.62%, France 8.85%, Netherlands 5.06% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

1.7% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

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)

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 0.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

16.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Labor force

206,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$105.6 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 45 $66.46 billion (31 December 2008) $166.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

1.268 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports

1.263 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Oil - consumption

50,720 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Oil - exports

63 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Oil - imports

59,210 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

16.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 14.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $810 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$255.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $231.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

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

Stock of domestic credit

$395.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $369.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$120.8 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 28 $121 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 16 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

Unemployment rate

5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 5.7% (2009 est.)

Area

total: 2,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 178 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 (42%/45%/13%) per capita: 121 cu m/yr (1999)

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

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

1.6 cu km (2005)

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

17 October 1868; occasional revisions

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 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

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

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 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 - CSV and LSAP

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 organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, 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, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

judicial courts and tribunals (three Justices of the Peace, two district courts, and one 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

Legal system

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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

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

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

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)

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 117,892 females age 16-49: 116,517 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 96,585 females age 16-49: 95,519 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 3,211 female: 3,057 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Army (2010)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.5% (male 46,918/female 44,052) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 165,342/female 162,681) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 29,839/female 42,943) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

11.7 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Death rate

8.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 125

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

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 194 male: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.48 years country comparison to the world: 35 male: 76.22 years female: 82.95 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 39.3 years male: 38.3 years female: 40.3 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg

Net migration rate

8.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Population

497,538 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Population growth rate

1.158% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

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 (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Urbanization

urban population: 82% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197

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)

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)

Pipelines

gas 155 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Mertert

Railways

total: 275 km country comparison to the world: 124 standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (243 km electrified) (2008)

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) (2008) country comparison to the world: 106