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Liechtenstein

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Liechtenstein

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The Principality of Liechtenstein is a tiny, landlocked country tucked away between Switzerland and Austria and with mountain slopes rising above the Rhine valley.

Much of its wealth is based on its status as a low tax haven. Around 75,000 companies have their nominal 'letter box' offices in Liechtenstein, where business tax rates are very favourable.

This status came under the spotlight in 2000 when two international reports criticised Liechtenstein for lax financial controls. The reports said that the Liechtenstein banking system enabled gangs from Russia, Italy and Colombia to launder money from their criminal activities.

Stung by the criticism, Liechtenstein reformed its laws. Customers opening bank accounts may now no longer remain anonymous.Liechtenstein remained neutral in World War II. A report commissioned by the government in 2001 after allegations that the country's banks had had dealings with the Nazis found that the banks' actions had been above board. It also found that slave labour from Nazi concentration camps had been used on Crown estates in Austria, but described the principality as a bystander rather than a perpetrator.

The country has come through a lengthy political wrangle over the role and power of the hereditary monarchy.

After a campaign which was at times bitterly divisive the people voted in March 2003 in a constitutional referendum to give Prince Hans-Adam sweeping new political powers. The outcome was decisive with just over 64% in favour of the changes.

In effect, the referendum made Liechtenstein Europe's only absolute monarchy. It gave Prince Hans-Adam the power to hire and fire the government, despite publicly-expressed fears that the development could usher in dictatorship.

The Roman Catholic church has traditionally had a strong role in Liechtenstein. Women faced a year in jail for having abortions until new legislation legalised it in late 2005. A bid by pro-life activists to stop the legislation from being passed failed when voters strongly rejected their proposals in a referendum.

-BBC News

Liechtenstein ( in: Europe ) Details and Statistics

Liechtenstein

Local Time:

Weather:

weather

National News:

National News

Climate:

Continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

Population:

34,000 (official figure, 2003)

Capitol:

Vaduz

Area:

160 sq km (61.8 sq miles)

Major Language:

German

Major religion:

Christianity

Life Expectancy:

75 years (men), 82 years (women)

Monetary Unit:

1 Swiss franc = 100 centimes

Main Exports:

Machinery, dental products, foodstuffs, stamps

GNI per capita:

n/a

Internet Domain:

.li

Int. dialing Zone:

+423

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Poverty

Liechtenstein’s citizens enjoy a multitude of financial help from the government. Liechtenstein is known as a tax haven as well as a great winter resort. Certain sectors of the population with low income levels, namely single-female-headed families or families with several children and only one working parent, have their financial burdens lifted through a system of tax relief. Lower income families also receive rental subsidies to help meet the high cost of living. Married couples and single parents also benefit from deductions in tax. Since World War II, the country’s low tax has spurred outstanding economic growth.

Human Rights

Liechtenstein enjoys a high level of autonomy. Liechtenstein is also a strong advocate of gender equality. The country recently signed The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1999, which was ratified in 2002. This new protocol prohibits any gender discrimination except for provisions relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. Women have active support by the government in increasing the number of women in politics, public life, the higher education sector, and the business sector. There is an aim to create new opportunities and possibilities to facilitate women’s return to work after being unemployed for family reasons. There is also an aim to provide incentives for companies who hire women returning to the job market.

The government provides assistance to families with children, namely single-parent families, through the Family Allowances Act. A public health-care system is also provided by the government. Families with children up to the age of 16 benefit from a less-costly health-care system since they do not have to pay the premium. Reductions on premiums are also available to those with lower incomes (up to 60% depending on income). Everyone has access to family planning under the public health-care system. Starting at age 17, all women receive an invitation every two and a half years to undergo a gynaecological exam, which includes family planning counseling where necessary.

As for trafficking of women, there have been no cases reported since 1999.

Aids/Disease

Information Currently Unavailable

Environment

Information Currently Unavailable

Literacy/Education

100% of Liechtenstein’s adult women and men are literate. Liechtenstein provides compulsory schools from kindergarten to secondary schools. Various institutions for continued education and training, such as, advanced technical colleges, apprenticeship facilities, and vocational schools. There are no public universities in Liechtenstein, but students have free access to colleges in neighboring countries, Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein makes special contributions or award prizes to these universities as a promotion and to maintain close relations with them. In 1999/2000, a new curriculum was tested in compulsory schools to take into account all aspects relevant to gender equality. Liechtenstein also provides supplementary education for foreign children in the language and culture of the child’s country of origin.

Charitable Organizations

Information Currently Unavailable

Volunteer Opportunities

Information Currently Unavailable