Liechtenstein is one of the richest countries in the world, and one of Europe’s smallest. The country has received international criticism for the prince’s extensive power and undemocratic arrangements.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Vaduz
- Ethnic groups: Liechtenstein 66.2%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrians 5.8%, Italians 4.2%, Germans 3.1%, others 11.2% (2016)
- Language: German 91.5% (official) (general dialect is most common), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015)
- Religion: Catholics 73.4% (official), Protestants 8.2%, Muslims 5.9%, Christian Orthodox 1.3%, others/none 11.4% (2015)
- Population: 38 155 (2018)
- Control Form: Principality
- Area: 160 km2
- Currency: Swiss Franc
- National Day: August 15th
Liechtenstein’s Population
Liechtenstein has 38 547 residents (2018). The population increased by 0.78 percent in 2018. Life expectancy at birth is 84.8 for women and 79.8 for men. The birth and death rates per 1000 residents are 10.4 and 7.6 respectively. The birth rate per woman is 1.69 children (2018).
Most residents live in the western part of the country, along the Rhine. The largest cities are the Schaan industrial center with 5748 residents and the capital Vaduz with 5197 residents (2017).
Composition of the population
66 percent of the population are Liechtensteiners (2017). The industrial development has attracted many foreigners, which make up 34 percent of the population. Foreign nationals from more than 90 countries have permanent residence in the country. The largest foreign groups are Swiss with 9.6 percent, Austrians with 5.8 percent, Turks with 4.3 percent and Italians with 3.1 percent.
Religion
73.4 percent belong to the Roman Catholic Church (2015). Protestants make up 8.2 percent, Muslims 5.9 percent and Orthodox Christians 1.3 percent. The remaining belong to other religions or are non-religious.
Language
The official language is German, which is the mother tongue of 91.5 percent of the population (2015).