Andorra

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain

Geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 468 sq km

land: 468 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 195

Area – comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Area comparison map:

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; female 199; male 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)

2024 population pyramid:

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 growth rate

-0.12% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 205

Birth rate

6.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 224

Death rate

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 85

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 79

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

Total fertility rate

1.47 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 204

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 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

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

25.6% (2016)

comparison ranking: 50

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

Literacy

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2016)

Environment

Environment – current issues

deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

Environment – international 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

Urbanization

urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 8.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.47 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.05 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 43,000 tons (2012 est.)

Total renewable water resources

320 million cubic meters (2020 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:
[email protected]

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: [email protected]

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 (hoist 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 (starting in the upper left and proceeding clockwise): Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto reads VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger); the flag combines the blue and red French colors with the red and yellow of Spain to show 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

name: “El Gran Carlemany” (The Great Charlemagne)

lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS

note: 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)

$5.226 billion (2023 est.)
$5.094 billion (2022 est.)
$4.65 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 184

Real GDP growth rate

2.58% (2023 est.)
9.56% (2022 est.)
8.29% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 122

Real GDP per capita

$64,600 (2023 est.)
$63,900 (2022 est.)
$59,300 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 23

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.785 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.5% (2023 est.)

industry: 12.4% (2023 est.)

services: 78.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 17; industry 177; agriculture 197

Agricultural products

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco, sheep, cattle

Industries

tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture

Industrial production growth rate

14.39% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 6

Labor force

39,750 (2016)

comparison ranking: 192

Unemployment rate

3.7% (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 66

Remittances

1.18% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.32% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.59% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $1.872 billion (2016)

expenditures: $2.06 billion (2016)

Public debt

41% of GDP (2014 est.)

comparison ranking: 128

Taxes and other revenues

69% (of GDP) (2016)

comparison ranking: 2

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: 67

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: 156

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