Luxembourg

World Book Index

Introduction

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. Luxembourg gained full independence in 1867. The country is one of the six founding members of the EEC (later the EU).

Geography

Area
total : 2,586 sq km
land: 2,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Natural resources
iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

People and Society

Population
total: 671,254 (2024 est.)

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.)

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.)

Population growth rate
1.52% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Luxembourg

Executive branch
chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Luc FRIEDEN (since 17 November 2023)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicole BINTNER-BAKSHIAN (since 15 August 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anthony BAIRD (since 21 July 2025)

Economy

Economic overview
high-income EU and eurozone economy; global, highly capitalized banking sector; one of highest GDP-per-capita countries; strengthened domestic demand and lower interest rates contributing to economic growth; challenges include pension-system sustainability, labor-market dynamics, and energy price volatility

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$86.871 billion (2024 est.)
$85.984 billion (2023 est.)
$86.584 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$128,200 (2024 est.)
$129,000 (2023 est.)
$132,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$202.203 billion (2024 est.)
$195.294 billion (2023 est.)
$184.53 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 18%, France 15%, Belgium 8%, Netherlands 7%, Italy 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities
iron blocks, gas turbines, plastic products, rubber tires, plastics (2023)

Imports
$160.032 billion (2024 est.)
$156.818 billion (2023 est.)
$149.751 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Belgium 26%, Germany 23%, France 10%, Netherlands 5%, USA 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, electricity, plastic products, gas turbines (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.922, ranking it 25th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 8th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 7.301. (more information)