Overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps, tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.

Budget: revenues $76.6 million; expenditures $168 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)

Electricity: 5,000 kW standby capacity (1990); power supplied by Italy

Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Currency: Vatican lira (plural--lire); 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi

Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1--1,134.4 (January 1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987), 1,490.8 (1986), 1,909.4 (1985); note--the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely

Fiscal year: calendar year

NOTE: The information regarding Vatican City on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Vatican City Economy 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Vatican City Economy 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.