The principal agricultural organization is Centrale Paysanne Luxembourgeoise, under which are grouped all producer cooperatives and other farmers' societies. Organizations promoting the interests of industry include federations of artisans, manufacturers, merchants, and winegrowers. The Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce is active in representing local business interests. The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions promotes worker's rights for all. The Christian Social Women organization promotes women's rights and encourages political participation. Scouting programs are active for youth. Kiwanis and Lions clubs also have programs in the country. International organizations with active chapters include the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and Greenpeace.

Count Sigefroid founded the nation in 963, and Countess Ermesinde (r.1196–1247) tripled the extent of the country. Other outstanding historical personages are Henry VII of Luxembourg(c.1275–1313), who became Holy Roman emperor in 1308; his son John the Blind (1296–1346), count of Luxembourg (1309–46) and king of Bohemia (1310–46), a national hero; and the latter's son Charles (1316–78), who became Holy Roman emperor as Charles IV (1346–78). Grand duke from 1890 to 1905 was Adolphe (1817–1905), one-time duke of Nassau (1839–66) and the founder of the present dynasty, the house of Nassau-Weilbourg, whose origins go back to 1059.

Joseph Bech (1887–1975), prime minister from 1926 to 1937 and from 1953 to 1958, served as foreign minister for 33 years. Luxembourg-born Robert Schuman (1886–1963), French premier (1947–48) and foreign minister (1948–53), was a key figure in the postwar movement for West European integration. Grand Duchess Charlotte (1896–1985) abdicated in 1964 in favor of her son Grand Duke Jean (b.1921), who has reigned since then; the heir apparent is Crown Prince Henri (b.1955).

An artist of note was painter Joseph Kutter (1894–1941). Gabriel Lippmann (1845–1921) was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics (1908) for his pioneering work in color photography.

The National Library in Luxembourg is the largest in the country, with 650,000 volumes. Other major libraries belong to the Centre Universitaire (120,000 volumes), the European Community Court of Justice (120,000), the Abbey of St. Maurice at Clervaux (100,000), the Seminary of Luxembourg (110,000), and the European Parliament (150,000). The Grand Ducal Institute maintains a few specialized collections in the city of Luxembourg, as does the government. In Esch-sur-Alzette the public library has close to 66,000 volumes and features a special collection of Luxembourgensia.

The National Museum of History and Art (founded in 1845) exhibits fine arts as well as the history of Luxembourg. The city of Luxembourg also hosts the Museum of Natural History, founded in 1988 and moved to a new building in 1996, the year that the Museum of the History of Luxembourg opened in the same city. The home where the 19th-century French writer Victor Hugo lived as an exile is in Vianden, and there is a museum of wine in Ehren.

Telephone, telegraph, and postal services are owned and operated by the government; in 1999 there were 314,700 main line telephones in use and 215,741 mobile cellular phones. Direct-dial telephone service is in use throughout the country, and includes efficient international service. Telegraph service is also widely available.

Radio-Télé-Luxembourg broadcasts on five radio channels (in Letzeburgesch, French, German, English, and Dutch) and two television channels (Letzeburgesch and French). The powerful commercial network reaches not only the domestic audience but millions of French, Germans, and other Europeans. In 1999 there were 2 AM and 9 FM radio stations and 5 television stations. In 1997, there were 285,000 radios and about 285,000 television sets. In 2000, there were eight Internet service providers, who by 2001 served 100,000 users.

As of 2001, there are six daily and two weekly newspapers. The daily press is small in circulation but has high standards. Luxembourg does not have an independent news agency of its own but relies on foreign news agencies for information. The most popular dailies in 2002 were the Luxemburger Wort (German and French, circulation 87,777); Tageblatt (German and French) (29,469); and La Républicaine Lorraine (French) (15,000). The weekly Telecran had a 2002 circulation of 45,000.

The law provides for freedom of speech and the press, and the government is said to uphold these provisions in practice.

The immediate post-World War II housing shortage created by the considerable war damage has been alleviated by substantial construction of private homes and apartment buildings. The government has helped by making home loans at low interest rates available to buyers. In 1981 there were 128,281 private households in Luxembourg. Detached houses accounted for 60% of all housing units, apartments for 32% and farms for 4%. Owners occupied 60% of all dwellings, 40% were rented, 4% were occupied rent free, and 3% were occupied by a subtenant. From 1991–1999, over 7,000 new dwellings were completed. Housing satisfaction is one of the highest in the European Union.

There is virtually no adult illiteracy. School attendance is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. Pupils attend primary schools for six years and then enter secondary schools for a period of up to seven years. In 1997, primary school enrollment totaled 28,437 elementary pupils with 1,844 teachers. Student-toteacher ratio stood at 15 to 1. In the same year, 28,796 children were enrolled in secondary schools, with 2,836 teachers. As of 1999, 96% of primary-school-age children were enrolled in school, while 82% of those eligible attended secondary school.

Post-secondary institutions in Luxembourg include the Central University of Luxembourg (founded in 1969), Superior Institute of Technology, and teacher training schools. However, most advanced students attend institutions of higher learning in Belgium and France. From 1994 to 1995, 3,309 students were at foreign universities, including 1,226 in Belgium and 754 in France.

An extensive system of social insurance covers virtually all employees and their families. Sickness, maternity, old age, disability, and survivors' benefits are paid, with both employee and employer contributing and the government absorbing part of the cost. Birth, maternity, child and education allowances are also provided to all residents. Parental leave and child-rearing allowances are available as well.

Women are well represented in politics and the professions. Although legally entitled to equal pay for equal work, in practice women's salaries are somewhat lower than men's for comparable work. Violence against women is taken seriously by the authorities, and most abusers are prosecuted. The Ministry for the Promotion of Women is charged with ensuring equal opportunities for women. Children's rights are fully protected and the government amply funds systems providing education and health care.

Human rights are fully respected in Luxembourg.