Human development index (HDI), an index based on life expectancy, education and GDP (max. 1)
0.892
World rank in HDI
19
Key economic sectors (% of GDP in 2002)
Services (86); industry (14) (2012)
Unemployment in 2014
5.9%
Main religious denominations
Roman Catholic (64·7%); religiously unaffiliated (27.5%) (2010)
Political system
A constitutional monarchy The Chamber of Deputies has a maximum of 60 members elected for five years. The monarch appoints a Council of State of 21 members serving a maximum of 15 years, which advises on proposed laws but does not make them.
Electoral system
Voting is compulsory. Seats in the Chamber of Deputies are allocated according to proportional representation from party lists.
Current (March 2017) leaders
Prime Minister: Xavier Bettel (b.1973), since December 2013
Previous leaders:
Prime Ministers: Jean-Claude Juncker (1995-2013); Jacques Santer (1984-1995)
Joined the EU/EC
1957 (founder member)
Commissioner from country in Barroso II College of Commissioners, and portfolio
Vivian Reding (Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Vice-President of the Commission) Martine Reicherts (Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship)
Number of MEPs
6
Turnout in 2009 EP elections (%)
90% (90.8% in 2009)
Member of eurozone
Yes (founder member)
Except where a specific reference is inserted, the sources for this profile are either Neill Nugent’s book itself, or Barry Turner (ed.), The Statesman’s Yearbook Online, Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan. If your library subscribes, you can gain access at http://www.statesmansyearbook.com
