Capital

Liechtenstein

name: Vaduz

geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 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: may be a conflation from the Latin vallis (valley) and the High German diutisk (meaning "German") to produce Valdutsch ("German valley"), which over time simplified and came to refer specifically to Vaduz, the town

Belgien

name: Brussels

geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 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: may derive from the Old Dutch bruoc/broek, meaning "marsh" and sella/zele/sel signifying "home" to express the meaning "home in the marsh"

Mauretanien

name: Nouakchott

geographic coordinates: 18 04 N, 15 58 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: may derive from the Berber "nawakshut" meaning "place of the winds"

Citizenship

Liechtenstein

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Belgien

citizenship by birth: no

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

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Mauretanien

citizenship by birth: no

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

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Legal system

Liechtenstein

civil law system influenced by Swiss, Austrian, and German law

Belgien

civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts

Mauretanien

mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law

Suffrage

Liechtenstein

18 years of age; universal

Belgien

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Mauretanien

18 years of age; universal

Area

Liechtenstein

total: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Belgien

total: 30,528 sq km

land: 30,278 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Mauretanien

total: 1,030,700 sq km

land: 1,030,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Land use

Liechtenstein

agricultural land: 37.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 18.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 43.1% (2018 est.)

other: 19.3% (2018 est.)

Belgien

agricultural land: 44.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 27.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 16.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 22.4% (2018 est.)

other: 33.5% (2018 est.)

Mauretanien

agricultural land: 38.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 38.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.2% (2018 est.)

other: 61.3% (2018 est.)

Location

Liechtenstein

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Belgien

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Mauretanien

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Age structure

Liechtenstein

0-14 years: 15.27% (male 3,389/female 2,718)

15-64 years: 64.38% (male 12,800/female 12,947)

65 years and over: 20.35% (2023 est.) (male 3,738/female 4,401)

Belgien

0-14 years: 17.03% (male 1,038,921/female 990,288)

15-64 years: 63.06% (male 3,788,406/female 3,724,202)

65 years and over: 19.91% (2023 est.) (male 1,049,402/female 1,322,414)

Mauretanien

0-14 years: 36.11% (male 769,229/female 763,465)

15-64 years: 59.58% (male 1,197,311/female 1,331,815)

65 years and over: 4.31% (2023 est.) (male 77,123/female 105,935)

Birth rate

Liechtenstein

10.3 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Belgien

10.9 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Mauretanien

27.6 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Death rate

Liechtenstein

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Belgien

9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Mauretanien

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Languages

Liechtenstein

German 91.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Belgien

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%

major-language sample(s):
Het Wereld Feitenboek, een onmisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch)

The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Mauretanien

Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French; note - the spoken Arabic in Mauritania differs considerably from the Modern Standard Arabic used for official written purposes or in the media; the Mauritanian dialect, which incorporates many Berber words, is referred to as Hassaniya

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

Liechtenstein

total population: 82.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 80.5 years

female: 85.6 years

Belgien

total population: 82.1 years (2023 est.)

male: 79.5 years

female: 84.8 years

Mauretanien

total population: 65.6 years (2023 est.)

male: 63.1 years

female: 68.1 years

Major urban areas - population

Liechtenstein

5,000 VADUZ (capital) (2018)

Belgien

2.122 million BRUSSELS (capital), 1.057 million Antwerp (2023)

Mauretanien

1.492 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2023)

Median age

Liechtenstein

total: 44.1 years (2023 est.)

male: 42.3 years

female: 46 years

Belgien

total: 41.9 years (2023 est.)

male: 40.7 years

female: 43 years

Mauretanien

total: 21.9 years (2023 est.)

male: 20.9 years

female: 22.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

Liechtenstein

31.3 years (2017)

Belgien

29.2 years (2020 est.)

Mauretanien

21.8 years (2019/21)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Net migration rate

Liechtenstein

4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Belgien

4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Mauretanien

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Population distribution

Liechtenstein

most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River

Belgien

most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas

Mauretanien

with most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal as shown in this population distribution map

Population growth rate

Liechtenstein

0.7% (2023 est.)

Belgien

0.55% (2023 est.)

Mauretanien

1.96% (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate

Liechtenstein

1.69 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Belgien

1.77 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Mauretanien

3.46 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Liechtenstein

urban population: 14.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Belgien

urban population: 98.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Mauretanien

urban population: 57.7% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Education expenditures

Liechtenstein

2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Belgien

6.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Mauretanien

1.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Liechtenstein

total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 14 years (2020)

Belgien

total: 19 years

male: 18 years

female: 20 years (2020)

Mauretanien

total: 9 years

male: 8 years

female: 9 years (2020)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

Liechtenstein

1.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.)

Belgien

-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Mauretanien

-0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

Liechtenstein

NA

Belgien

1.28% (2021 est.)

Mauretanien

-6.61% (2021 est.)

Labor force

Liechtenstein

38,520 (2015 est.) (2012)

note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany

Belgien

5.24 million (2021 est.)

Mauretanien

1.197 million (2021 est.)

Population below poverty line

Liechtenstein

NA

Belgien

14.8% (2018 est.)

Mauretanien

31% (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

Liechtenstein

2.4% (2015)

2.4% (2014)

Belgien

6.42% (2021 est.)

5.55% (2020 est.)

5.36% (2019 est.)

Mauretanien

11.46% (2021 est.)

11.27% (2020 est.)

10.39% (2019 est.)

Belgien

119.43% of GDP (2020 est.)

103.38% of GDP (2019 est.)

101.39% of GDP (2018 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds

Mauretanien

96.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

100% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Liechtenstein

-0.4% (2016 est.)

-0.2% (2013)

Belgien

2.44% (2021 est.)

0.74% (2020 est.)

1.44% (2019 est.)

Mauretanien

3.57% (2021 est.)

2.39% (2020 est.)

2.3% (2019 est.)

Exports

Liechtenstein

$3.217 billion (2015 est.)

$3.774 billion (2014 est.)

note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Belgien

$515.625 billion (2021 est.)

$417.222 billion (2020 est.)

$441.566 billion (2019 est.)

note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Mauretanien

$3.18 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.784 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.525 billion (2019 est.)

Belgien

Germany 17%, France 14%, Netherlands 13%, United Kingdom 8%, United States 6%, Italy 5% (2019)

Mauretanien

China 32%, Switzerland 13%, Spain 9%, Japan 9%, Italy 5% (2019)

Imports

Liechtenstein

$2.23 billion (2014 est.)

note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Belgien

$509.018 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$408.343 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$438.221 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Mauretanien

$4.312 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.675 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.683 billion (2019 est.)

Belgien

Netherlands 16%, Germany 13%, France 10%, United States 8%, Ireland 5%, China 5% (2019)

Mauretanien

China 26%, France 6%, Spain 6%, Morocco 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)

Belgien

41 (2021)

Mauretanien

30 (2021)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Liechtenstein

total: 18,050 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)

Belgien

total: 4,734,210 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.)

Mauretanien

total: 18,457 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.4 (2020 est.)

Internet users

Liechtenstein

total: 37,440 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 96% (2021 est.)

Belgien

total: 10.92 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)

Mauretanien

total: 2.714 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 59% (2021 est.)

Railways

Liechtenstein

total: 9 km (2018)

standard gauge: 9 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (electrified)

note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland

Belgien

total: 3,602 km (2020) 3,160 km electrified

Mauretanien

total: 728 km (2014)

standard gauge: 728 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

Roadways

Liechtenstein

total: 630 km (2019)

Belgien

total: 118,414 km (2015)

paved: 118,414 km (2015) (includes 1,747 km of expressways)

Mauretanien

total: 12,253 km (2018)

paved: 3,988 km (2018)

unpaved: 8,265 km (2018)

Telephones - fixed lines

Liechtenstein

total subscriptions: 11,712 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2021 est.)

Belgien

total subscriptions: 3,293,420 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2021 est.)

Mauretanien

total subscriptions: 58,094 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

Liechtenstein

total subscriptions: 49,264 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (2021 est.)

Belgien

total subscriptions: 11,740,118 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2021 est.)

Mauretanien

total subscriptions: 6,512,361 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141 (2021 est.)

Waterways

Liechtenstein

28 km (2010)

Belgien

2,043 km (2012) (1,528 km in regular commercial use)

Mauretanien

1,086 km (2022) (some navigation possible on the Senegal River)

Disputes - international

Liechtenstein

none

Belgien

none identified

Mauretanien

Mauritania-Algeria: none identified

Mauritania-Mali: there are no border disputes, but the border has not been demarcated; talks on demarcation were reportedly being held in February 2022

Mauritania-Morocco: Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant; tensions arose in 2016 when Mauritanian soldiers were deployed to Lagouira, a city in the southernmost part of Morocco, and raised their flag

Mauritania-Senegal: none identified