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Welcome to Liechtenstein, a place that’s tricky to pronounce, especially after a drink. This small, mountainous nation sits between Switzerland and Austria, and was once a tax haven for the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Despite its compact size with only 11 municipalities and a modest population, Liechtenstein is a financial juggernaut. Home to one main ski resort, Malbun, it also boasts more Olympic medals per capita than any other country.
Liechtenstein may be one of the most desirable places you’ll never get to live in or afford to visit.
10. Very Few End Up Behind Bars
In Liechtenstein, fewer than 10 individuals are incarcerated nationwide—at least according to 2014 data. With a murder-free record for over two decades and a rape rate of zero, this country remains one of the safest in the world. Though Austria handles long-term imprisonments, Liechtenstein’s low crime rate speaks for itself.
The nearly 38,000 citizens of Liechtenstein feel so secure that locking their doors seems unnecessary. Perhaps it’s because the residents are incredibly wealthy, but we’ll explore that aspect further as we go.
9. Bingo! A Fellow Doubly Landlocked Nation!
As mentioned in the list about Uzbekistan, there are only two doubly landlocked countries on Earth. Uzbekistan is surrounded entirely by other landlocked nations, making it doubly so. Liechtenstein, the second such country, is a 160-square-kilometer (62 mi) speck between Switzerland and Austria. While it may seem like a stretch, the rules stand.
Beyond this geographical oddity, there doesn’t seem to be much else in common between the Uzbeks and the Liechtensteiners—unless, of course, there’s an age-old rivalry about which doubly landlocked country is superior, akin to the West Coast vs. East Coast rap battles of the 1990s.
8. Snoop Dogg Tried to Rent Out the Entire Country
In a bizarre yet intriguing connection to gangsta rap, Liechtenstein offered a deal a few years back where you could rent the entire country for a mere $70,000 per night. This package included accommodations for you and 149 guests, a special one-time currency, and a wine tasting with the head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II.
The idea was born after Snoop Dogg proposed the concept of renting out the country for a music video. Sadly for fans hoping to see twerking and 'prop' blunts in 15th-century castles, the request was denied. It wasn’t due to concerns about the raucous nature of the event, but because Snoop just didn’t give enough time for all the necessary arrangements.
Oh, Snoop, will you ever learn?
7. A Surprisingly Friendly Military
During the 1866 Austro-Prussian War, the brave soldiers of Liechtenstein set off for battle. The entire army, a mere 80 soldiers, marched over the mountains seeking glory. While they never saw combat or even came close to a battle, they did earn fame in an unexpected way.
In an odd turn of events, the army's size increased during its return, having recruited a friendly Italian along the way, bringing the defense budget-breaking total to 81. Additionally, in 2007, Swiss troops accidentally invaded Liechtenstein after losing their way during maneuvers in a storm. The Liechtensteiners only learned of the 'inadvertent declaration of war' when Switzerland sent formal apologies.
6. The Global Hub for False Teeth
Do you wear false teeth? Chances are, they may have come from Liechtenstein. Ivoclar Vivadent, based in Schaan, produces 60 million artificial teeth annually, selling 40% of Europe’s and 20% of the world’s total.
Available in 10,000 shapes and shades—ranging from bright white and pearl to gold and even 'British'—these teeth are surprisingly popular in Bollywood. The Indian film industry is a major consumer, although the manufacturers can’t directly confirm this due to their dealings with dentists rather than movie studios. Still, we’ll trust their word that the smiles on screen are Liechtensteiner-made.
5. The Sixth-Smallest Country in the World... and One of the Happiest
With a population of just 38,000 spread across 160 square kilometers (62 miles), Liechtenstein is one of the smallest nations on Earth. To become a resident, hopeful immigrants must secure a job with a visa for three years and then undergo a public vote to determine if they can join the community.
The average annual salary in Liechtenstein is around US $115,000, offering a comfortable amount to spend on Kasknopfle (cheese noodles). However, taxes do take a chunk, with personal income tax rates averaging around 24%, ranging between % and 28%. These rates include the municipal surcharge.
Much of the Liechtensteiners' wealth comes from the numerous foreign companies that incorporate in the principality to benefit from its low tax rates. As the country's population is smaller than many commuter towns, many residents work in cities like Zurich, Munich, or Milan, returning home with their earnings.
4. A Royal Celebration That Welcomes All
A grand celebration where even the lowest street cleaner dances alongside royalty is not a scene from a children's animated film featuring a song that your kids just won't–stop–singing–oh–God–make them stop. It's a real event held annually in Liechtenstein.
The late Prince Franz Josef II, whose birthday fell on August 16, was honored by celebrating the National Day on August 15, combining it with the Feast of the Assumption and his birthday. After his passing in 1989, the celebration continued on the same day.
Held at the enchanting Vaduz Castle, the festival includes fireworks, local food, and locals dressed in traditional attire. Guests from distant, sometimes fictional, lands also attend—some of whom may or may not have nefarious intentions to steal the throne.
Bring your own ice magic and forgettable troll characters no one cares about. Is the Frozen reference too obvious? In the film, guests arrive by boat, but as Liechtenstein is doubly landlocked, it's not quite the same. Oh well, just roll with it.
3. A New Level Of Siesta
While you're grabbing a sandwich and cigarette in a bustling, polluted city between noon and 1:30 PM, the entire nation of Liechtenstein is taking their lunch break. During these hours, you're not allowed to mow the lawn or make any noise. It's a legally mandated relaxation time, so you can sit back, enjoy a massive sandwich, puff on a cigar, and maybe even have five beers while gazing at Lindt Chocolate World.
The Liechtensteiners are so laid-back that they didn't grant women the right to vote until 1984. After a lengthy 16-year struggle and several failed referendums in 1968, 1971, and 1973, the country finally made progress in 1984. That year, men exclusively voted (with a narrow 51% majority) to grant women the vote. Well, better late than never, right?
2. Technically, The Municipalities Could Secede At Any Time
Although Liechtenstein consists of just 11 small municipalities, each barely larger than a tiny county in a much bigger country, these municipalities have the legal right to secede through a democratic vote. According to the author's calculations, with a national population of around 38,000, it would only take nine people to declare their dissatisfaction with Liechtenstein and form a separate state.
With no army and only about 100 police officers nationwide, it wouldn’t be too challenging to emulate John Rambo and get through them. However, there’s essentially no reason for anyone to try this.
The nation is heavily supported by Swiss capital, and it has strict regulations that limit non-Liechtensteiners to less than a third of the population. It’s a place where everyone lives in a Pippi Longstocking-esque fantasy—wealthy, crime-free, and entirely peaceful. So, just let the good times roll.
1. The Highest GDP In The World
When not accounting for purchasing power parity, Liechtenstein has the highest GDP per capita, making it the wealthiest place on Earth. Even when adjusted for purchasing power, the country still ranks second. And by the way, they really ought to shorten their name, so Mytour writers don’t end up with carpal tunnel syndrome.
With an unemployment rate of just 1.5 percent, Liechtenstein enjoys one of the lowest rates in the world, thanks in part to its residents being so wealthy that they can live as they please. Although the country once attracted billionaires seeking a tax haven, it no longer operates as a tax-dodging paradise.
This certainly gives Liechtenstein an edge over other small principalities, some of which continue to funnel vast amounts of cash through shady channels and frequently find themselves under investigation by Interpol. We won't name names, but let’s just say it rhymes with Shamonaco.
