Local time--:--:--Vaduz ·

Europe / Western Europe · Card 029

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a country in Western Europe. Its capital is Vaduz.

Find Liechtenstein

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Vaduz
Language guide: Languages spoken & official status
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Population: 41,0242025 · World Bank
Area: 160 km²61.78 square miles
Independence: 1806Sovereignty followed the end of the Holy Roman Empire.

Liechtenstein in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Vaduz; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & environment

Landscape

Liechtenstein is a small landlocked country between Switzerland and Austria. Its western side occupies part of the Rhine Valley, while steep Alpine terrain rises in the east. Most settlement is concentrated on the more accessible valley floor and lower slopes.

The mountains contain narrow valleys, forests and high pastures. The Rhine forms a major boundary and transport corridor along the lowland edge. A short journey can therefore move from densely used valley land into rugged mountain country.

Climate & seasons

The Rhine Valley is milder than the high Alpine slopes. Winters bring rain or snow, with colder conditions and longer snow cover at higher elevations.

Elevation & water

Snow accumulates in higher areas during winter. Mountain streams flow toward the Rhine, linking upland catchments with the valley below. Forests and grasslands change with altitude and exposure.

Flag

Two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red, with a gold crown on the left side of the blue band

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Landscapes & nature

Languages

Public and official use

German is the official language. Alemannic dialects are common in everyday conversation, while Standard German is used in writing and formal settings.

Community and regional languages

Italian, Turkish, Portuguese and other languages are spoken by resident communities.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & independence

Liechtenstein was established as a principality in 1719 and became sovereign in 1806 as the Holy Roman Empire dissolved. It developed close economic links with Switzerland, including a customs treaty signed in 1923.

1719
The principality is established
1806
Liechtenstein becomes sovereign
1923
A customs treaty is signed with Switzerland

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Economy

Main activities

High-value manufacturing and financial services are major activities. Businesses produce precision tools, machinery and specialized products for export. Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc and participates in the European Economic Area.

Industry and production

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

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Population & economic trends

Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.

Population, 1970–2025

Thousands of people

41.02025 · thousands of people

Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.

Sources: World Bank · Population

View data table

Population: source values and plotted units
Year	People	Thousands of people
1970	21,140	21.140
1980	25,512	25.512
1990	28,742	28.742
2000	32,645	32.645
2010	36,022	36.022
2020	38,901	38.901
2025	41,024	41.024

Real GDP, 2015–2015

Billions of constant 2015 US dollars

6.32015 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars

Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.

Sources: World Bank · Real GDP

View data table

Real GDP: source values and plotted units
Year	Constant 2015 US$	Billions of constant 2015 US dollars
2015	6,268,515,276	6.269

Human development

The Human Development Index combines health, education and income. Scores range from 0 to 1.

HDI · 20230.938Very High human developmentRank 17 of 193 · 2025 report

Human Development Index over time

20000.882

20100.914

20200.929

20230.938

83.6 yearsLife expectancy at birth

12.4 yearsMean schooling, adults aged 25+

The latest values refer to 2023. All historical scores use the same report edition. HDI does not describe every aspect of inequality or quality of life.

Sources: UNDP · Human Development Report 2025

Government

A constitutional hereditary monarchy with an elected parliament, the Landtag, and a government headed by a prime minister. The Prince retains substantial constitutional powers.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Knowledge check

Three questions about Liechtenstein.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

What is Liechtenstein’s elected parliament called?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.