The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806.

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.

Shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering.

However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation over the past several years and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US went into effect in 2003.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 34,247 (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.1% (male 2,902/female 2,963) 15-64 years: 70% (male 11,887/female 12,101) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 1,862/female 2,532) (2007 est.)

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Median age: total: 40.1 years male: 39.5 years female: 40.5 years (2007 est.)

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Population growth rate: 0.745% (2007 est.)

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Birth rate: 10.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Net migration rate: 4.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.979 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.982 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.735 male(s)/female total population: 0.946 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

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Infant mortality rate: total: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.81 years male: 76.24 years female: 83.4 years (2007 est.)

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Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

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Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein

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Ethnic groups: Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%

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Religions: Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)

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Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect

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Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.786 billion (2001 est.)

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GDP (official exchange rate): $2.487 billion (2001)

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GDP - real growth rate: 11% (1999 est.)

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GDP - per capita (PPP): $25,000 (1999 est.)

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GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 39% services: 55% (2001)

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Labor force: 29,500 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)

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Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 47% services: 51% (31 December 2001 est.)

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Unemployment rate: 1.3% (September 2002)

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Population below poverty line: NA%

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Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

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Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2001)

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Budget: revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)

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Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products

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

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Industrial production growth rate: NA%

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Exports: $2.47 billion (1996)

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Exports - commodities: small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products

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Exports - partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7% (2006)

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Imports: $917.3 million (1996)

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Imports - commodities: agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles

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Imports - partners: EU, Switzerland (2006)

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Debt - external: $0 (2001)

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Currency (code): Swiss franc (CHF)

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Exchange rates: Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586 (2002)

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Fiscal year: calendar year