Economy of Luxembourg
| Economy of Luxembourg | |
|---|---|
| Rank | 99th |
| Currency | 1 Euro = 100 eurocent |
| Fiscal year | Calendar year |
| Trade organisations | EU, WTO and OECD |
| Statistics | |
| GDP | $38.14 billion (2009 est.) |
| GDP growth | -4.5% (2009 est.) |
| GDP per capita | $77,600 (2009 est.) |
| GDP by sector | agriculture: 0.4%; industry: 13.6%; services: 86% (2007 est.) |
| Inflation (CPI) | 0.5% (2009 est.) |
| Population below poverty line |
NA% |
| Gini index | 26 (2005) |
| Labour force | 208,000 of whom 125,400 are foreign cross-border workers commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany (2009 est.) |
| Labour force by occupation |
agriculture: 2.2%; industry: 17.2%; services: 80.6% (2007 est.) |
| Unemployment | 5.6% (March 2010)[1] |
| Main industries | banking and financial services, iron and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism |
| Ease of Doing Business Rank | 64th[2] |
| External | |
| Exports | $14.05 billion (2009 est.) |
| Export goods | machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass |
| Main export partners | Germany 21.7%, France 17.3%, Belgium 9.9%, Italy 6.9%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 4.9% (2008) |
| Imports | $18.69 billion (2009 est.) |
| Import goods | minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods |
| Main import partners | Belgium 28%, Germany 23.9%, China 18.9%, France 10%, Netherlands 4.8% (2008) |
| FDI stock | $11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) |
| Gross external debt | $1.994 trillion (30 June 2009) |
| Public finances | |
| Public debt | 14.5% of GDP (2009 est.) |
| Revenues | $17.83 billion (2009 est.) |
| Expenses | $19.76 billion (2009 est.) |
| Economic aid | donor: ODA, $235.59 million (2004[update]) |
| Foreign reserves | $397.8 million (31 December 2008 est.) |
| Main data source: CIA World Fact Book All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars |
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The economy of Luxembourg is largely dependent on the banking, steel, and industrial sectors. Luxembourgers enjoy the second highest per capita gross domestic product in the world (CIA 2007 est.), behind Qatar. Luxembourg is seen as a diversified industrialized nation, contrasting the oil boom in Qatar, the majority monetary source of that nation.
Although Luxembourg in tourist literature is aptly called the "Green Heart of Europe", its pastoral land coexists with a highly industrialized and export-intensive economy. Luxembourg enjoys a degree of economic prosperity almost unique among industrialized democracies.
Contents |
Industries
Banking
Banking is the largest sector in the Luxembourg economy. The country has specialised in the cross-border fund administration business. As Luxembourg's domestic market is relatively small, the country's financial centre is predominantly international. At the end of March 2009, there were 152 banks in Luxembourg, with over 27,000 employees. Political stability, good communications, easy access to other European centres, skilled multilingual staff, a tradition of banking secrecy and cross-border financial expertise have all contributed to the growth of the financial sector. Germany accounts for the largest-single grouping of banks, with Scandinavian, Japanese, and major U.S. banks also heavily represented. Total assets exceeded €929 billion at the end of 2008. More than 9,000 holding companies are established in Luxembourg. The European Investment Bank—the financial institution of the European Union—is also located there.
Concern about Luxembourg's banking secrecy laws, and its reputation as a tax haven, led in April 2009 to it being added to a "grey list" of nations with questionable banking arrangements by the G20 [1].
Steel
A key event in the economic history of Luxembourg was the 1876 introduction of English metallurgy. The refining process led to the development of the steel industry in Luxembourg and founding of the Arbed company in 1911.
The iron and steel industry, located along the French border, is an important sector of the economy. Steel accounts for 29% of all exports (excluding services), 1.8% of GDP, 22% of industrial employment, and 3.9% of the work force.
The restructuring of the industry and increasing government ownership in Arbed (31%) began as early as 1974. As a result of timely modernization of facilities, cutbacks in production and employment, government assumption of portions of Arbed's debt, and recent cyclical recovery of the international demand for steel, the company is again profitable. Its productivity is among the highest in the world. U.S. markets account for about 6% of Arbed's output. The company specializes in production of large architectural steel beams and specialized value-added products. There has been, however, a relative decline in the steel sector, offset by Luxembourg's emergence as a financial center. In 2001, through the merger with Aceralia and Usinor, Arbed became Arcelor. Arcelor was taken over in 2006 by Mittal Steel to form Arcelor-Mittal, the largest steel producer in the world.
Telecommunications
Government policies promote the development of Luxembourg as an audiovisual and communications center. Radio-Television-Luxembourg is Europe's premier private radio and television broadcaster. The government-backed Luxembourg satellite company "Société européenne des satellites" (SES) was created in 1986 to install and operate a satellite telecommunications system for transmission of television programs throughout Europe. The first SES Astra satellite, the 16-channel RCA 4000 Astra 1A, was launched by Ariane Rocket in December 1988. SES presently constitutes the world largest satellite services company in terms of revenue.
Citizens
Agriculture
Luxembourg's small but productive agricultural sector is highly subsidized, mainly by the EU and the government. It employs about 1%-3% of the work force. Most farmers are engaged in dairy and meat production. Vineyards in the Moselle Valley annually produce about 15 million litres of dry white wine, most of which is consumed within Luxembourg and also in Germany, France, and Belgium on a lesser scale.
Foreign Investment
Luxembourg offers a favourable climate to foreign investment. Successive governments have effectively attracted new investment in medium, light, and high-tech industry. Incentives cover taxes, construction, and plant equipment. U.S. firms are among the most prominent foreign investors, producing tires (Goodyear), chemicals (DuPont), glass (Guardian Industries), and a wide range of industrial equipment. The current value of U.S. direct investment is almost $1.5 billion, the highest level of U.S. direct investment on a per capita basis outside of North America.
Luxembourg's trade account has run a persistent deficit over the last decade, but the country enjoys an overall balance-of-payment surplus, due to revenues from financial services. Government finances are strong, and budgets are normally in surplus.
Foreign investments are being handled and promoted by the Board of Economic Development, the Government’s one stop shop » for new investment projects.[1].
Accounting Principles
Establishing accounts depends on the size of companies, and referring to three criteria : total of the balance sheet (total of assets without losses of the accounting year), the net amount of the turnover (net, such as it appears on the profit and loss account) and the average number of the workforce.
The control of medium and big companies must be made by one or several independent auditors of companies, appointed by the general assembly among the members of the Institute of Independent Auditors of Companies. The control of small companies must be made by an accountant appointed by the general assembly for definite duration. The conclusion of the independent auditor’s report can be: - A certificate without reserve, that is to say an approval - A certificate with reserves, that is to say that there is approval with reserves because of discords or doubts. - A refusal to give a certificate.
The accountants’ associations have difficulties to get organized because of the importance of the State in the accounting system.
Labour Relations
Labour relations have been peaceful since the 1930s. Most industrial workers are organized by unions linked to one of the major political parties. Representatives of business, unions, and government participate in the conduct of major labour negotiations.
Foreign investors often cite Luxembourg's labour relations as a primary reason for locating in the Grand Duchy. Unemployment in 1999 averaged less than 2.8% of the work force, but reached 4.4% by 2007.
Energy
In 1978, Luxembourg tried to build a 1,200 MW nuclear reactor but dropped the plans after threats of major protests.[3] Currently, Luxembourg uses imported oil and natural gas for the majority of its energy generation.[4]
Transportation
Luxembourg has efficient road, rail and air transport facilities and services. The road network has been significantly modernised in recent years with 147 km of motorways connecting the capital to adjacent countries. The advent of the high-speed TGV link to Paris has led to renovation of the city's railway station while a new passenger terminal at Luxembourg Airport has recently been opened. There are plans to introduce trams in the capital and light-rail lines in adjacent areas within the next few years.
See also
- OECD's Luxembourg country Web site and OECD Economic Survey of Luxembourg
- Economy of Europe
- Luxembourg
References
- ↑ Euro area unemployment rate at 10.0% - Eurostat. 30. April 2010
- ↑ "Doing Business in Luxembourg 2010". World Bank. http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreEconomies/?economyid=115. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
- ↑ “Reactors.” Wise – Nuclear issues information services. July 1978. <http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/b2/reactors.html>
- ↑ “LUXEMBOURG – Energy Mix Fact Sheet.” Europa. January 2007. http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/doc/factsheets/mix/mix_lu_en.pdf
External links
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