Luxembourg

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 but gained a larger measure of autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Luxembourg gained full independence in 1867 by promising to remain permanently neutral. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, its neutrality ended in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the EEC (later the EU), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency zone.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 2,586 sq km

land: 2,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 178

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Rhode Island; about half the size of Delaware

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 327 km

border countries (3): Belgium 130 km; France 69 km; Germany 128 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast

Elevation

highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m

mean elevation: 325 m

Natural resources

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use

agricultural land: 51.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 24.1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 26.7% (2022 est.)

forest: 34.5% (2022 est.)

other: 14.2% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)

Population distribution

most people live in the south, on or near the border with France

Natural hazards

occasional flooding

Geography – note

landlocked

People and Society

Population

total: 671,254 (2024 est.)

male: 338,702

female: 332,552

comparison rankings: total 168; female 169; male 168

Nationality

noun: Luxembourger(s)

adjective: Luxembourg

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.)

note: data represent population by nationality

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.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 57,921/female 54,484)

15-64 years: 67.1% (male 231,214/female 219,497)

65 years and over: 16.1% (2024 est.) (male 49,567/female 58,571)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 46.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 23.2 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 23.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 4.3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 39.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 39.4 years

female: 40.4 years

comparison ranking: total 64

Population growth rate

1.52% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 63

Birth rate

11.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 155

Death rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 116

Net migration rate

10.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 8

Population distribution

most people live in the south, on or near the border with France

Urbanization

urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

120,000 LUXEMBOURG (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother’s mean age at first birth

31 years (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 145

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 203

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 83.4 years (2024 est.)

male: 80.9 years

female: 85.9 years

comparison ranking: total population 14

Total fertility rate

1.63 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 175

Gross reproduction rate

0.79 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)

total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

5.5% of GDP (2022)

11% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Hospital bed density

4.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

22.6% (2016)

comparison ranking: 74

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 4.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 4.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 2.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 11

Tobacco use

total: 21% (2025 est.)

male: 22.1% (2025 est.)

female: 19.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 61

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.4% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

10.7% national budget (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 77

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years (2022 est.)

male: 14 years (2022 est.)

female: 15 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

air and water pollution in urban areas; soil pollution of farmland

International environmental agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Climate

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

8.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 75,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 7.496 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 1.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 112

Particulate matter emissions

9.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 356,000 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 100,997 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2015 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 50 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 1.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total renewable water resources

3.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

global geoparks and regional networks: Mëllerdall (2023)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

conventional short form: Luxembourg

local long form: Grand Duché de Luxembourg

local short form: Luxembourg

etymology: probably derived from an early Celtic or Germanic form of the name, Lucilinburhuc, that was thought to mean “little fortress;” the name first referred to the city and was later used for the country

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Luxembourg

geographic coordinates: 49 36 N, 6 07 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: probably derived from an early Celtic or Germanic form of the name, Lucilinburhuc, that was thought to mean “little fortress;” the name first referred to the city and was later used for the country

Administrative divisions

12 cantons; Capellen, Clervaux, Diekirch, Echternach, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg, Mersch, Redange, Remich, Vianden, Wiltz

Legal system

civil law system

Constitution

history: previous 1842 (heavily amended 1848, 1856); latest effective 17 October 1868

amendment process: proposed by the Chamber of Deputies or by the monarch to the Chamber; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Chamber in two successive readings three months apart; a referendum can be substituted for the second reading if approved by more than a quarter of the Chamber members or by 25,000 valid voters; adoption by referendum requires a majority of all valid voters

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: limited to situations where the parents are either unknown, stateless, or when the nationality law of the parents’ state of origin does not permit acquisition of citizenship by descent when the birth occurs outside of national territory

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Luxembourg

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Luc FRIEDEN (since 17 November 2023)

cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister, appointed by the monarch

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; following elections to the Chamber of Deputies, monarch usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies

Legislative branch

legislature name: Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des députés)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 60 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 10/8/2023

parties elected and seats per party: Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) (21); Democratic Party (PD/DP) (14); Socialist Workers’ Party (POSL/LSAP) (11); Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) (5); Greens (DEI GRÉNG) (4); Pirate Party (PIRATEN) (3); Other (2)

percentage of women in chamber: 35%

expected date of next election: October 2028

note: a 21-member Council of State is appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister and serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice includes Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation (consists of 27 judges on 9 benches); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

judge selection and term of office: judges of both courts appointed by the monarch for life

subordinate courts: Court of Accounts; district and local tribunals and courts

Political parties

Alternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR
Christian Social People’s Party or CSV
Democratic Party or DP
Green Party
Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party or LSAP
Pirate Party
The Left (dei Lenk/la Gauche)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Nicole BINTNER-BAKSHIAN (since 15 August 2021)

chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171

FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://washington.mae.lu/en.html

consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Michael KONSTANTINO (since 19 January 2025)

embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City

mailing address: 5380 Luxembourg Place, Washington DC 20521-5380

telephone: [352] 46-01-23-00

FAX: [352] 46-14-01

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://lu.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Independence

1839 (from the Netherlands)

National holiday

National Day (birthday of Grand Duke HENRI), 23 June

note: this is not the true date of birth for any of the Royals, but the national festivities were shifted in 1962 to allow observance during a more favorable time of year

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke’s coat of arms

National symbol(s)

red rampant lion

National color(s)

red, white, light blue

National anthem(s)

title: “Ons Heemecht” (Our Motherland)

lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN

history: adopted 1864
_____

title: “De Wilhelmus” (The William)

lyrics/music: Nikolaus WELTER

history: adopted 1919; royal anthem, for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Luxembourg City Old Quarters and Fortifications

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.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 102

Real GDP growth rate

1% (2024 est.)
-0.7% (2023 est.)
-1.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 176

Real GDP per capita

$128,200 (2024 est.)
$129,000 (2023 est.)
$132,600 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 4

GDP (official exchange rate)

$93.197 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2024 est.)
3.7% (2023 est.)
6.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 53

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.2% (2024 est.)

industry: 9% (2024 est.)

services: 81.9% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 10; industry 194; agriculture 200

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 31.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 18.6% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 16.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.3% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 217.8% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -186.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

milk, wheat, barley, triticale, potatoes, pork, grapes, beef, rye, rapeseed (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

banking and financial services, construction, real estate services, iron, metals, and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation and logistics, chemicals, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism, biotechnology

Industrial production growth rate

-1.1% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 149

Labor force

350,000 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 165

Unemployment rate

6% (2024 est.)
5.2% (2023 est.)
4.6% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 112

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 20.2% (2024 est.)

male: 16.9% (2024 est.)

female: 24.2% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 55

Population below poverty line

17.3% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

34.1 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 92

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.9% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 25.6% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

2.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $33.533 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $33.054 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

23% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

comparison ranking: 175

Taxes and other revenues

27.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 8

Current account balance

$12.877 billion (2024 est.)
$9.861 billion (2023 est.)
$7.509 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 24

Exports

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

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 36

Exports – partners

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

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

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

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 37

Imports – partners

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

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.789 billion (2024 est.)
$2.977 billion (2023 est.)
$2.874 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 119

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 2.212 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 5.87 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 1.188 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 6.39 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 141.867 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 54; imports 39; exports 67; consumption 126; installed generating capacity 119

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 10.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 37.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 55.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: -35.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) note: Luxembourg has negative net hydroelectric power generation based on losses from use of pumped storage hydropower

biomass and waste: 32.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 34,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 30.2 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports: 34,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 51,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Natural gas

consumption: 556.63 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 552.714 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

224.651 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 15

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 260,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 111

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 961,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 165

Broadcast media

long national tradition of operating radio and TV services for pan-European audiences; home to Europe’s largest privately owned broadcast media group, the RTL Group, which operates 46 TV stations and 29 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe’s largest satellite operator, Société Européenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL Group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations available; satellite and cable TV services available

Internet country code

.lu

Internet users

percent of population: 99% (2024 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 250,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total 118

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

3 (2025)

comparison ranking: 193

Heliports

11 (2025)

comparison ranking: 72

Railways

total: 271 km (2020) 262 km electrified

Merchant marine

total: 147 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 3, container ship 1, general cargo 24, oil tanker 4, other 115

comparison ranking: total 76

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Luxembourg Army (l’Armée Luxembourgeoise) (2025)

note: the Grand Ducal Police maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of Internal Security

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
1% of GDP (2023)
0.6% of GDP (2022)
0.5% of GDP (2021)
0.6% of GDP (2020)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 900 active Luxembourg Army personnel (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the inventory of Luxembourg’s Army is a small mix of Western origin equipment (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (abolished 1969) (2025)

note 1: since 2003, the Army has allowed EU citizens 18-24 years of age who have been a resident in the country for at least 36 months to volunteer

note 2: 2024, women made up about 12% of the military’s full-time personnel

Military – note

founded in 1881, the Luxembourg Army is responsible for the defense of the country and fulfilling the Grand Duchy’s commitments to NATO, European security, and international peacekeeping, as well as providing support to civil authorities in the event of emergencies, such as floods or disease outbreaks; the Army is an active participant in EU, NATO, and UN missions and has contributed small numbers of troops to a number of multinational operations in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia; it trains and exercises regularly with EU and NATO partners and has contributed to the NATO battlegroup forward deployed in Lithuania since 2017; Luxembourg was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) establishing NATO in 1949

in 2015, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed an agreement to conduct joint air policing of their territories; under the agreement, which went into effect in January 2017, the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces trade responsibility for patrolling the skies over the three countries (2025)

Space

Space agency/agencies

the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA; established 2018) (2024)

Space program overview

LSA established largely to develop space policy, encourage and coordinate commercial space ventures, support space education, and to promote the country’s space-related capabilities internationally; has a national space strategy; has set up policy and funding initiatives (such as LuxIMPULSE) aimed at encouraging space research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship and attracting space-based industries; focused on developing commercial satellites and infrastructure (Luxembourg is home to some of the largest commercial satellite companies in the world), as well as other space sector capabilities and technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, remote sensing (RS), communications, and software; member of the European Space Agency (ESA), participates in ESA programs, and cooperates with individual ESA and EU member states; also has relations with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UAE, and the US (2024)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide