Definition of Youth

There is no consistently used definition of youth in place. Most state programmes target young people up to the age of 25. The European youth programmes, however, address young people between 13 and 30.

LIE

Marriageable Age

  • Opposite Sex
  • Same Sex
  • Without parental consent
  • with parental consent
  • Male
  • 18
  • --
  • ++
  • Female
  • 18
  • --
  • ++



    • Court decision required for marriage of those under 18 years. Civil unions/partnerships legal. Source: UNSD, ILGA

Candidacy Age

Criminal Responsibility

14
Minimum Age
Source:  Civil Code of Liechtenstein
(2013)

Majority Age

18

Source: Civil Code of Liechtenstein (2013)

Voting Age

18


Source:  Inter-Parliamentary Union

Situation of Young People

Youth Development Index

--
--

Literacy Rates

--
Both sexes (15-24) %
  • -- Male (15-24) %
  • -- Female (15-24) %
  • Year: No data.
  • Source: UNESCO

Net Enrolment Rate

Secondary School
92.36%
Both sexes %
  • 99.04%Male %
  • 85.86% Female %

Situation of Young People

Prevalence of HIV

--
Male (15-24) %
--
Female (15-24) %

Tobacco Use

Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.
--
Both sexes (13-15) %
  • -- Male (13-15) %
  • -- Female (13-15) %
  • Year: No data.
  • Source: WHO

Policy & Legislation

Is there a national youth policy?
Yes
Liechtenstein has a 2008 youth law, a 2011 youth policy vision with an action plan, and a 2013 briefing.

The legal framework of youth policy is defined by the 2008 Youth Act of Liechtenstein. The Act itself, and the youth policy framework overall, both relate strongly to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).   In its 2011 youth policy vision, the government of Liechtenstein conceptualised youth policy as a transversal policy issue and one pillar of a larger intergenerational policy. The related action plan seeks to operationalise the transversal character.   The youth policy vision starts from the concepts of youth wellbeing and equality. It names four priority areas: (1) Youth welfare; (2) Youth support; (3) Youth protection; (4) Youth participation.

Public Institutions

Is there a governmental authority
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Yes
Within the federal government, the Ministry for Social Affairs carries responsibility for youth issues. The Ministry has a Children and Youth Division, and a Youth Development Bureau serves as a government  agency in support of the Ministry. Liechtenstein also has a federal, independent Ombuds Office for children and young people. Additionally, all communities maintain youth departments in their local administrations. A 2013 report has suggested to  create a new umbrella association to coordinate youth policy across all communities.

Youth and Representation

Does the country have a national youth organisation / association (council, platform, body)?
Yes
There are three youth platforms active at national level. The Association of Youth Organisations in Liechtenstein (VLJ) understands itself as a service platform for its member organisations. The Children and Youth Advisory Board (KIJUB) was introduced through the 2008 Youth Law as a new platform to represent the interests of children and young people, and comes closest to being a national youth council. In 2011, a youth-led Youth Council was created to give young people a platform and a voice. None of the organisations is a member of the European Youth Forum.

Budget & Spending

What is the budget allocated to the governmental authority (ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth and/or youth programming?
CHF 9.1 million
USD 10.3 million
According to the federal budget of Liechtenstein for 2014, the government will spend CHF 9.1 million (USD 10.3 million) on measures related to the youth policy vision of the country.   According to a 2012 Report on Youth Work, the 11 communities of Liechtenstein spent CHF 1.9 million (USD 2.1 million) on youth work in 2012 - excluding expenditures for building maintenance, which is relevant because the communities all host and finance local youth centres. According to the World Bank, Liechtenstein spent 2.11% of its GDP on education in 2008, but does not calculate what this translates to in terms of percentage of government expenditure.
Total Expenditure on Education as a Percentage of Government Spending and GDP

  • % of GDP
  • % of gov. expenditure

Source: World Bank
Gaps indicate missing data from the original data source. (Accessed August 2013).

Additional Background

From the Country Sheet on Youth Policy in Liechtenstein (2013):  
The legal basis of national youth policy is defined in the Youth Act of Liechtenstein (2008). Within this frame­­work, fundamental rights have been implemented, as defined in the UN-Convention of Children’s Rights, such as the right of participation at all levels. [...] Youth participation is guaranteed by law on all levels (national, local). Youth Participation in Liechtenstein rather shows a learning process than a successful example. Young people increasingly participate in or initiate (short-time) projects like youth exchanges, youth initiatives.
  From the report Optimising Open Youth Work: Dimension Youth Policy (2012) Original in German, own translation:  
Youth policy in Liechtenstein is understood, and implemented, as a transversal issue. Youth-specific themes and challenges, and reflections about the impact of political decisions on young people, are considered in various policy areas at federal level as well as in the communities.