Liechtenstein HDI 0.938 (2023), Safety & Cost of Living

Safety

Homicides: 5.1per 100,000 people a yearHighUNODC / World Bank · 2021

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy: 84.2years, at birthVery high
#6 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Air pollution: 7.0PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023

How it changed

Liechtenstein's Human Development Index

0.938Very high human development

17th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 12th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

#15United Arab Emirates0.940
#16Canada0.939
#17Liechtenstein0.938
#17New Zealand0.938
#17United States0.938

Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2000

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.882 in 2000 to 0.938 in 2023.

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 24 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by year The world report

Life expectancy at birth: 84.2 years2024at birthUp 3.5 years from 80.7 years in 2005
Internet users: 98%2024of people onlineUp 34 points from 64% in 2006
Urban population: 15%2025of people in towns and citiesLevel with 2006
Births per woman: 1.372024births per womanDown 0.12 from 1.49 in 2005
Renewable share of energy: 57%2022of energy usedUp 7 points from 50% in 2004
Access to electricity: 100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Forest area: 42%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Tiny Alpine finance hub: very low taxes, the Swiss franc, almost no unemployment. The case for living here is long lives and clean air.

About Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest countries, a principality tucked between Switzerland and Austria in the Rhine Valley, with alpine scenery, a well-preserved medieval castle, and the distinction of being one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. Life here is orderly, prosperous, and quiet, with a strong tradition of fine art collecting and a surprisingly vibrant hiking culture. Most visitors come as a day trip, but the country has its own understated charm.