Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$81,000 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

3.4% (2008 est.)

Population

491,775 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

A1

Ease of Doing Business

50/181

Global Competitiveness

25/134

Country Map

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Luxembourg : Introduction

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

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Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (October 2009)