Luxembourg in 2005

Luxembourg in 2005

Area: 2,586 sq km (999 sq mi)
Population (2005 est.): 457,000
Capital: Luxembourg
Chief of state: Grand Duke Henri
Head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker

Luxembourg continued to prosper in 2005. In May it was reported that there were 161 banks in the country, with 22,711 employees and total banking assets exceeding $725 billion. There were also 13,569 holding companies, with total capital of €36.4 billion (about $46 billion) established in Luxembourg, and financial services contributed the greatest share (28%) of the grand duchy’s income. According to a CIA report, Luxembourg again led the world with the highest GDP per capita: about $64,000 in 2004.

Luxembourg remained one of the EU’s firmest supporters in 2005. In January, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker began a two-year term as the first permanent president of the 12-nation Eurogroup, and on June 30 he finished his term as president of the EU. Luxembourg approved the proposed EU constitution in a referendum on July 10.

Luxembourg [Credit: © Francois Lenoir/Reuters/Corbis]Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte, mother of Grand Duke Henri, died at age 77 on January 10. In her honour the grand duke named Luxembourg’s new concert venue the Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte Concert Hall. The stunning $70 million structure was designed by Christian de Portzamparc. Its main auditorium was the new home of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, and smaller rooms played host to chamber music and experimental music.

Anne Roby