Luxembourg City - The Capital of Luxembourg
- Population
- 128,514
- Language
- Luxembourgish
- Continent
- Europe
- Since
- 1867
- Eco Ranking
- 2/195
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
About Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City has been the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 1867, when the Treaty of London confirmed Luxembourg's independence and perpetual neutrality following the dissolution of the German Confederation. The city's strategic location and its substantial medieval fortress, once one of the most powerful in Europe, made it a target of successive European powers; it was controlled by Burgundy, Spain, France, Austria, and France again before coming under the orbit of the Dutch crown and ultimately achieving full independence. Luxembourg City is one of three official capitals of the European Union, alongside Brussels and Strasbourg. The city hosts the European Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors of the EU, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, and several other major EU institutions. The country is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world, a constitutional monarchy headed by a Grand Duke. Luxembourg City accounts for roughly a quarter of the country's total population of approximately 660,000. The city's financial sector has made Luxembourg one of the world's largest centers for investment funds, second only to the United States. More than 70 percent of Luxembourg's workforce commutes daily from France, Belgium, and Germany.
About Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a small constitutional monarchy in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It is one of the six founding members of what became the European Union. The country has transformed from a steel-producing economy to one of Europe's leading financial centers. Luxembourg is a member of NATO, the EU, and the Schengen Area. Despite its small size, roughly 2,586 square kilometers, it hosts a disproportionate number of European institutional bodies. Luxembourg has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world.
View Luxembourg City on the map
Flight time from Luxembourg City to other capitals
| City | Distance (km) | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 300 | 0h 21m |
| London | 500 | 0h 35m |
| Rome | 1000 | 1h 11m |
| Abu Dhabi | 5000 | 5h 53m |
| Washington, D.C. | 6400 | 7h 32m |
| Cape Town | 9400 | 11h 4m |
| Tokyo | 9500 | 11h 11m |
| Singapore | 10400 | 12h 14m |
| Buenos Aires | 11300 | 13h 18m |
| Canberra | 16600 | 19h 32m |
Capitals with similar population to Luxembourg City
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Gitega | 135,467 |
| Bern | 133,883 |
| Reykjavik | 131,136 |
| Luxembourg City | 128,514 |
| Georgetown | 118,363 |
| Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | 115,826 |
| Thimphu | 115,000 |
Capitals with similar eco ranking to Luxembourg City
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Luxembourg City considered an EU capital?
Luxembourg City is one of the three official seats of the European Union, a status established by treaty. It hosts the European Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the General Secretariat of the European Parliament, and the official seat of several EU bodies. The city's EU role dates to Luxembourg's position as a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952.
When did Luxembourg City become the capital of Luxembourg?
Luxembourg City became the capital of a fully independent and neutral Grand Duchy of Luxembourg under the Treaty of London of 1867. Although Luxembourg had existed as a political entity since medieval times, the 1867 treaty confirmed its independence following the dissolution of the German Confederation and required the demolition of the city's major fortifications.
What is a Grand Duchy and why is Luxembourg the last one?
A Grand Duchy is a sovereign state ruled by a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess, a rank below a king but above a duke. Historically, several European states held this status. Luxembourg is today the only remaining sovereign Grand Duchy in the world, headed by Grand Duke Henri, who has reigned since 2000.
Is Luxembourg City the largest city in Luxembourg?
Yes, Luxembourg City is the largest city in the country, with a population of approximately 128,000, representing roughly a fifth of the national population. The second-largest city, Esch-sur-Alzette, has approximately 36,000 residents. Luxembourg's small total population of around 660,000 is notable for having roughly half its residents being non-Luxembourgish nationals.
Why do so many cross-border workers commute to Luxembourg City?
Luxembourg's financial sector and EU institutions generate a demand for skilled labor that the small national population cannot supply. More than 200,000 workers, over 40 percent of the employed workforce, commute daily from neighboring France, Belgium, and Germany, attracted by higher wages and favorable tax conditions. This makes Luxembourg one of the most cross-border labor markets in the world.
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