Joseph Rheinberger (1839–1901), an organist and composer who lived in Munich, was the teacher of many famous composers. Prince John II (r. 1858–1929) was admired for donating some SwFr 75 million to the struggling country after World War I. Prince Franz Josef II (1906–89), whose rule began in 1938, was Europe's longest-reigning sovereign. Liechtenstein's current monarch is Prince Hans Adam II (b. 1945), who first was given executive power in 1984 and assumed control in 1989. His brother, Prince Philipp (b. 1947), serves as chairman of Liechtenstein Global Trust, the country's main banking institution. Prince Alois (b. 1968) is the heir apparent.

In 1980, Hanni Wenzel (b. 1956) and her brother Andreas (b.1958) won the World Cup international skiing championships.

The post office (including telegraph and telephone services) is administered by Switzerland. Liechtenstein, however, issues its own postage stamps. The number of telephones in 1997 was about 20,000. The Swiss dial system extends to the principality. Direct-dialing is used throughout the country and includes international service. Telegraph service is efficient. As of 2001, there were one state and one private television station broadcast, along with a private radio station. Residents also receive radio and television broadcasts from neighboring countries. In 1997 there were 21,000 radios and 12,000 television sets in the country. In 2000, there were 44 Internet service providers serving users in both Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Two daily newspapers are published. The Liechtensteiner Volksblatt reflects the political outlook of the Progressive Citizen's Party. It had a circulation of about 8,200 in 2002. The Liechtensteiner Vaterland reflects the views of the Fatherland Union. It had a circulation of about 9,580 in the same year. Liechtensteiner Wochenzeitung , a weekly, had a circulation of 14,000.

The media is said to enjoy a large degree of autonomy and freedom from interference, owing to an independent press, an effective judiciary, and a democratic political system.

Organizations include the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein, three concert societies, and various other cultural organizations. Kiwanis and Lion's clubs are active in the country. Charitable institutions include the Liechtenstein Caritas Society (founded in 1924) and the Liechtenstein Red Cross Society (1945). Youth organizations include the Scouts and Guides of Liechtenstein.

The National Library (founded in 1961) serves as the public, academic, and national library. It is located in Vaduz and has over 200,000 volumes. There are three specialized libraries maintained by private institutes, and a small library attached to a state music school.

The National Museum, located in Vaduz, includes collections from the Prince and the State, containing an important Rubens collection.

The Prince Liechtenstein Art Gallery, founded in 1620 and located in Vaduz, is an important cultural institution in Liechtenstein. The museum is housed upstairs in the tourist information office. Also in the capital are a postage museum and a state historical museum. A ski museum opened in Vaduz in 1994, and there are also museums in Schaan, Schellenberg, and Triesenberg.

There is a universal pension system covering all residents, employed persons, and self-employed individuals. It is funded primarily by the government along with contributions from employees and employers. It provides benefits for old age, disability, and survivorship. A social insurance system and universal medical coverage provides sickness and maternity benefits. All residents and persons employed in Liechtenstein are entitled to medical coverage. Work injury and unemployment insurance are provided to all employed persons. There is a family allowance based on number of children and a birth grant provided to all residents and non-resident workers.

Equality for women is protected by law, and several groups monitor and promote women's rights. An equal opportunity law addresses workplace discrimination and sexual harassment. Domestic violence laws have been enacted and are actively implemented. The government ratified the UN Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Human rights are fully respected in Liechtenstein.

The government regulates the practice of medicine and subsidiary occupations, such as nursing and pharmacy. Life expectancy in 1999 was about 78 years. As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at, respectively, 11.2 and6.8 per 1,000 people. The infant mortality rate was an estimated4.9 per 1,000 births. In the mid-1990s, Liechtenstein had an estimated 2.5 physicians per 1,000 people, with a nurse to doctor ratio of 2:1. There were approximately 8.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. A program of preventive medicine, introduced in 1976, provides regular examinations for children up to the age of 10.

Education is based on Roman Catholic principles and is under government supervision. The present school system, introduced in 1929, underwent major reforms in the early 1970s. In 1974, the compulsory primary school attendance period was lowered from eight years to five, beginning at age seven. Kindergarten, offered to children ages five to seven, is optional, followed by five compulsory years of primary school. Secondary education is divided into three tracks: Oberschule; Realschule, which offers vocational and, in some cases, university preparatory education; and Gymnasium, which provides an eight-year program to prepare students for a university education, with concentrations in either the classics and humanities or economics and mathematics.

Liechtenstein also has an evening technical school, a music school, and a children's pedagogic-welfare day school. While there are no universities in Liechtenstein, students continue their education at universities abroad, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.