Factbook dossier
Background
Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Congress of Vienna. When Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands in 1839, Luxembourg lost more than half of its territory to Belgium but gained a larger measure of autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Luxembourg gained full independence in 1867 by promising to remain permanently neutral. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, its neutrality ended in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the EEC (later the EU), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency zone.
Location
Western Europe, between France and Germany
Area
total : 2,586 sq km land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km
Natural resources
iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land
Natural hazards
occasional flooding
Population
total: 671,254 (2024 est.) male: 338,702 female: 332,552
Ethnic groups
Luxembourger 52.9%, Portuguese 14.5%, French 7.6%, Italian 3.7%, Belgian 3%, German 2%, Spanish 1.3%, Romania 1%, other 14% (2022 est.) note: data represent population by nationality
Languages
Luxembourgish (official administrative, judicial, and national language) 48.9%, Portuguese 15.4%, French (official administrative, judicial, and legislative language) 14.9%, Italian 3.6%, English 3.6%, German (official administrative and judicial language) 2.9%, other 10.8% (2021 est.)
Religions
Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 70.6%, Muslim 2.3%, other (includes Buddhist, folk religions, Hindu, Jewish) 0.4%, unaffiliated 26.7% (2020 est.)
Environmental issues
air and water pollution in urban areas; soil pollution of farmland
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 etymology: probably derived from an early Celtic or Germanic form of the name, Lucilinburhuc, that was thought to mean "little fortress;" the name first referred to the city and was later used for the country
Executive branch
chief of state: Grand Duke GUILLAUME (since 3 October 2025) head of government: Prime Minister Luc FRIEDEN (since 17 November 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister, appointed by the monarch election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; following elections to the Chamber of Deputies, monarch usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
Legislative branch
legislature name: Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des députés) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 60 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/8/2023 parties elected and seats per party: Christian Social People's Party (CSV) (21); Democratic Party (PD/DP) (14); Socialist Workers' Party (POSL/LSAP) (11); Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) (5); Greens (DEI GRÉNG) (4); Pirate Party (PIRATEN) (3); Other (2) percentage of women in chamber: 35% expected date of next election: October 2028 note: a 21-member Council of State is appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister and serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$86.871 billion (2024 est.) $85.984 billion (2023 est.) $86.584 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$128,200 (2024 est.) $129,000 (2023 est.) $132,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.1% (2024 est.) 3.7% (2023 est.) 6.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Germany 18%, France 15%, Belgium 8%, Netherlands 7%, Italy 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Belgium 26%, Germany 23%, France 10%, Netherlands 5%, USA 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Luxembourg Army (l'Arm e Luxembourgeoise) (2025) note: the Grand Ducal Police maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of Internal Security
Military expenditures
2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.)