Introduction
Background
The landlocked Principality of Andorra -- one of the smallest states in Europe and nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders -- is the last independent survivor of the Hispanic March states created by Frankish King Charlemagne in 795 after he halted the Moorish invasion of Spain. The March states were a series of buffer states to keep the Muslim Moors from advancing into Christian France. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Bishop of Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the introduction of a modern constitution; the co-princes remained as titular heads of state, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy.
Andorra's winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping attract approximately 8 million people each year. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its mature banking sector and low taxes. As part of the effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has opened to foreign investment and engaged in other reforms, such as tax initiatives aimed at supporting broader infrastructure. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements, and Andorra uses the euro as its national currency.
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Geography
Location
Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain
Geographic coordinates
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total: 118 km
border countries (2): France 55 km; Spain 63 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain
rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Elevation
highest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m
mean elevation: 1,996 m
Natural resources
hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Land use
agricultural land: 39.9% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 38.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 34% (2022 est.)
other: 26.1% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
population is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)
Natural hazards
avalanches
Geography - note
landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
People and Society
Population
total: 85,370 (2024 est.)
male: 43,652
female: 41,718
comparison rankings: total 199; male 199; female 199
Nationality
noun: Andorran(s)
adjective: Andorran
Ethnic groups
Spanish 34.3%, Andorran 32.1%, Portuguese 10%, French 5.6%, other 18% (2024 est.)
note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages
Catalan (official) 44.1%, Castilian 40.3%, Portuguese 13.5%, French 10%, English 3%, other 6.8% (2022 est.)
note: data represent mother tongue
Religions
Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 89.5, other 8.8%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 12% (male 5,276/female 4,954)
15-64 years: 67.7% (male 29,562/female 28,201)
65 years and over: 20.4% (2024 est.) (male 8,814/female 8,563)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 47.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 17.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 30.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.3 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 48.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 48.7 years
female: 48.8 years
comparison ranking: total 4
Population distribution
population is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)
Urbanization
urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
32.8 years (2019)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 200
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 83.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 81.6 years
female: 86.2 years
comparison ranking: total population 10
Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
8.3% of GDP (2021)
15.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
5.07 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 10.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 4.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 12
Tobacco use
total: 33% (2025 est.)
male: 31.7% (2025 est.)
female: 34.4% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 14
Education expenditure
1.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
12% national budget (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 187
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Land use
agricultural land: 39.9% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 38.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 34% (2022 est.)
other: 26.1% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
8.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 43,000 tons (2024 est.)
Total renewable water resources
315.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Principality of Andorra
conventional short form: Andorra
local long form: Principat d'Andorra
local short form: Andorra
etymology: the origin of the country's name is obscure; may originate from the Navarrese word andurrial, meaning "shrub-covered land;" alternatively, may derive from the Arabic ad-darra meaning "the forest," a reference to its location; many other theories exist
Government type
parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Capital
name: Andorra la Vella
geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: translates as "Andorra the Old" in Catalan
Administrative divisions
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Legal system
mixed legal system of civil and customary law with the influence of canon (religious) law
Constitution
history: drafted 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993
amendment process: proposed by the co-princes jointly or by the General Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the General Council, ratification in a referendum, and sanctioning by the co-princes
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: Co-prince Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Patrick STROZDA (since 14 May 2017); and Co-prince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Eduard Ibanez PULIDO (since 27 November 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Xavier Espot ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019)
cabinet: Executive Council composed of head of government and 11 ministers designated by the head of government
election/appointment process: head of government indirectly elected by the General Council (Andorran parliament), formally appointed by the co-princes for a 4-year term; the leader of the majority party in the General Council is usually elected head of government
most recent election date: 2 April 2023
election results:
2023: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (DA) reelected head of government; percent of General Council vote - 57.1%
2019: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (DA) elected head of government; percent of General Council vote - 60.7
expected date of next election: April 2027
Legislative branch
legislature name: General Council (Consell General)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 28 (all directly elected)
electoral system: mixed system
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 4/2/2023
parties elected and seats per party: Democrats for Andorra (DA) and its allies (17); Concordia (Concòrdia) and its allies (5); Andorra Forward (Andorra Endavant) (3); Social Democrat Party (PS) - Social Democracy and Progress (SDP) (3)
percentage of women in chamber: 50%
expected date of next election: April 2027
note: voters cast two separate ballots -- one for the national election and one for their parish
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de la Justicia d'Andorra (consists of the court president and 8 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 4 magistrates)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Justice, a 5-member judicial policy and administrative body appointed 1 each by the co-princes, 1 by the General Council, 1 by the executive council president, and 1 by the courts; judges serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional magistrates - 2 appointed by the co-princes and 2 by the General Council; magistrates' appointments limited to 2 consecutive 8-year terms
subordinate courts: Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts
Political parties
Action for Andorra or ACCIO
Committed Citizens or CC
Concord or C
Democrats for Andorra or DA
Forward Andorra or AE
Liberals of Andorra or L'A
Social Democratic Party or PS
Social Democracy and Progress or SDP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Joan FORNER ROVIRA (since 13 January 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
email address and website:
contact@andorraun.org
https://www.exteriors.ad/en/embassies-of-andorra/andorra-usa-embassy
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Espana; telephone: [34] (93) 280-22-27; FAX: [34] (93) 280-61-75; email address: Barcelonaacs@state.gov
International organization participation
CE, FAO, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Independence
1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell)
National holiday
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Flag
description: three vertical bands of blue (left side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band, which is slightly wider than the other two; the coat of arms features a quartered shield with the emblems of Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger)
meaning: the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to symbolize Franco-Spanish protection
note: similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
National symbol(s)
red cow (breed unspecified)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
National anthem(s)
title: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)
lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS
history: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first-person narrative
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
Economy
Economic overview
high GDP; low unemployment; non-EU Euro user; co-principality duty-free area between Spain and France; tourist hub but hit hard by COVID-19; modern, non-tax haven financial sector; looking for big tech investments; new member of SEPA and IMF
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.402 billion (2024 est.)
$5.226 billion (2023 est.)
$5.094 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 183
Real GDP growth rate
3.4% (2024 est.)
2.6% (2023 est.)
9.6% (2022 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 100
Real GDP per capita
$65,900 (2024 est.)
$64,600 (2023 est.)
$63,900 (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 23
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.04 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.2% (2022 est.)
1.7% (2021 est.)
0.1% (2020 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 155
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0.5% (2024 est.)
industry: 12.8% (2024 est.)
services: 77.6% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: agriculture 189; industry 172; services 14
Agricultural products
small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco, sheep, cattle
Industries
tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture
Industrial production growth rate
6% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 32
Remittances
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $1.054 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $989.38 million (2023 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Current account balance
$538.287 million (2023 est.)
$393.62 million (2022 est.)
$499.422 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 65
Exports
$3.169 billion (2023 est.)
$2.736 billion (2022 est.)
$2.446 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 154
Exports - partners
Spain 39%, USA 21%, France 11%, UK 5%, UAE 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
paintings, integrated circuits, cars, orthopedic appliances, garments (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$2.716 billion (2023 est.)
$2.44 billion (2022 est.)
$2.143 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 166
Imports - partners
Spain 65%, France 11%, Germany 4%, China 3%, Italy 3% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, garments, perfumes, electricity (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.951 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
note: while not an EU member state, Andorra has a 2011 monetary agreement with the EU to produce limited euro coinage—but not banknotes—that began enforcement in April 2012
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 52,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 64 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 153
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 126,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 190
Broadcast media
the media scene is partly shaped by the proximity to France and Spain; Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries (2023)
Internet users
percent of population: 95% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 42,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 148
Transportation
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra (under the Ministry of Justice and Interior)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France and Spain