CapitalAndorra la Vella
Population85,370
Area468 km²
GDP per capita$65,900
LanguagesCatalan, Castilian, Portuguese, French, English, other
Currencyeuros
Life Expectancy83.8 yr
Governmenta parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that maintains its leadership in the co-principality format; the two princes are the President of France and the Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Introduction
Background
The Principality of Andorra, a landlocked nation and one of Europe's smallest states, is located high in the Pyrenees, bordered by France and Spain. It stands as the last independent remnant of the Hispanic March territories established by the Frankish monarch Charlemagne in 795, following his successful campaign against the Moorish invasion of Spain. These March states functioned as buffer zones to prevent the Muslim Moors from penetrating into Christian France. For a duration of 715 years, from 1278 until 1993, the people of Andorra were governed under a distinctive co-principality, led by both French and Spanish authorities (with the French head of state and the Bishop of Urgell sharing power from 1607 onwards). In 1993, this feudal arrangement was reformed with the adoption of a contemporary constitution; the co-princes continued to serve as nominal heads of state, while the governance shifted to a parliamentary democracy.
Andorra's appeal lies in its winter sports, pleasant summer climate, and duty-free shopping, drawing around 8 million visitors annually. The nation has evolved into a prosperous international commercial hub due to its established banking industry and favorable tax conditions. In an effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has welcomed foreign investment and implemented reforms, including tax policies aimed at enhancing overall infrastructure. Although Andorra is not a member of the European Union, it maintains a unique relationship with the bloc, characterized by various customs and cooperation agreements; additionally, Andorra utilizes the euro as its official currency.
Geography
Area
land
468 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
468 sq km
Climate
temperate; characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm, arid summers
Terrain
rugged mountain ranges interspersed with narrow valleys
Land use
other
21.4% (2023 est.)
forest
38.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
39.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.3% (2023 est.)
Location
Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, situated on the boundary between France and Spain
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Riu Runer 840 m
highest point
Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m
mean elevation
1,996 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
118 km
border countries
France 55 km; Spain 63 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
avalanches
Geography - note
landlocked; occupies several key crossroads in the Pyrenees
Natural resources
hydropower, mineral springs, timber, iron ore, lead
Area - comparative
2.5 times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Population distribution
population distribution is uneven, primarily concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that constitute the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)
People & Society
Languages
Catalan (official) 44.1%, Castilian 40.3%, Portuguese 13.5%, French 10%, English 3%, other 6.8% (est. 2022)
Religions
Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 89.5%, other 8.8%, unaffiliated 1.7% (est. 2020)
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
total population
1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
1.03 male(s)/female
Birth rate
6.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.14 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
48.7 years
total
49.4 years (2025 est.)
female
48.8 years
Population
male
43,652
total
85,370 (2024 est.)
female
41,718
Nationality
noun
Andorran(s)
adjective
Andorran
Tobacco use
male
31.7% (2025 est.)
total
33% (2025 est.)
female
34.4% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
Ethnic groups
Spanish 34.3%, Andorran 32.1%, Portuguese 10%, French 5.6%, other 18% (est. 2024)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
47.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
17.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
3.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
30.1 (2024 est.)
Physician density
5.07 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
15.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.47 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
1.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
12.1% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.12% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population is not evenly spread and is primarily located in the seven urbanized valleys that constitute the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)
Life expectancy at birth
male
81.6 years
female
86.2 years
total population
83.8 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
11 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
4.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
10.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
25.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
32.8 years (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2023 est.)
total
14 years (2023 est.)
female
15 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate; cold, snowy winters and warm, arid summers
Land use
other
21.4% (2023 est.)
forest
38.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
39.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 38.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
43,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil degradation due to overgrazing; air pollution; treatment of wastewater and disposal of solid waste
Particulate matter emissions
8.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
315.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, Desertification, Hazardous Waste Management, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: consists of three vertical bands in blue (on the left), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms positioned centrally within the yellow band, which is marginally broader than the other two; the coat of arms displays a quartered shield featuring the symbols of Urgell, Foix, Bearn, and Catalonia; the motto inscribed is VIRTUS UNITA FORTIOR (Strength United is Stronger)
meaning: the flag merges the blue and red hues of France with the red and yellow colors of Spain to represent Franco-Spanish protection
Capital
name
Andorra la Vella
etymology
translates as "Andorra the Old" in Catalan
time difference
UTC+1 (six hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday in March and concluding on the last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
42 30 N, 1 31 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
drafted in 1991, affirmed by referendum on 14 March 1993, and became effective on 28 April 1993
amendment process
proposed by the co-princes collectively or by the General Council; to pass, it requires a minimum two-thirds majority vote by the General Council, ratification in a referendum, and approval by the co-princes
Country name
etymology
the etymology of the country's name is unclear; it may derive from the Navarrese term andurrial, meaning "shrub-covered land;" alternatively, it could stem from the Arabic ad-darra meaning "the forest," referring to its geographical setting; numerous other hypotheses exist
local long form
Principat d'Andorra
local short form
Andorra
conventional long form
Principality of Andorra
conventional short form
Andorra
Independence
1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell)
Legal system
a mixed legal framework of civil and customary law, influenced by canon (religious) law
Government type
a parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that maintains its leadership in the co-principality format; the two princes are the President of France and the Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de la Justicia d'Andorra (comprises the court president and eight judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (composed of four magistrates)
subordinate courts
Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts
judge selection and term of office
the president and judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Supreme Council of Justice, a five-member body responsible for judicial policy and administration, with one member appointed by each co-prince, one by the General Council, one by the president of the executive council, and one by the courts; judges serve renewable six-year terms; Constitutional magistrates are appointed with two by the co-princes and two by the General Council; magistrates' terms are limited to two consecutive eight-year periods
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council composed of head of government and 11 ministers designated by the head of government
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)
election results
2023: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (DA) reelected as head of government; percentage of General Council vote - 57.1%
2019: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (DA) elected as head of government; percentage of General Council vote - 60.7
head of government
Prime Minister Xavier Espot ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019)
most recent election date
2 April 2023
election/appointment process
the head of government is indirectly elected by the General Council (Andorran parliament) and is formally appointed by the co-princes for a four-year term; typically, the leader of the majority party in the General Council is chosen as head of government
expected date of next election
April 2027
National holiday
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
Political parties
Concordia 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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
28 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
legislature name
General Council (Consell General)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/2/2023
expected date of next election
April 2027
percentage of women in chamber
50%
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)
National anthem(s)
title
"El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)
history
adopted in 1921; the anthem narrates a concise history of Andorra from a first-person perspective
lyrics/music
Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS
National symbol(s)
red cow (breed unspecified)
Administrative divisions
seven parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 750-6630
chancery
2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 750-8064
chief of mission
Ambassador Joan FORNER ROVIRA (since 13 January 2025); note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN
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 maintain an embassy in Andorra; the US ambassador to Spain is also accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General located in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, España; 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)
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.054 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$989.38 million (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$2.446 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$2.736 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$3.169 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$2.143 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$2.44 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$2.716 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
activities in tourism (notably skiing), banking, timber, and furniture
Public debt
Public debt 2013
41.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.951 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
characterized by a high GDP; low unemployment rate; usage of the euro despite non-EU status; co-principality operating as a duty-free zone between Spain and France; a tourist destination significantly impacted by COVID-19; a contemporary financial sector that is not a tax haven; seeking investments from major technology firms; and a recent member of SEPA and the IMF
Exports - partners
Spain 39%, USA 21%, France 11%, UK 5%, UAE 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
Spain 65%, France 11%, Germany 4%, China 3%, Italy 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$63,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$64,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$65,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
9.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
minimal amounts of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco, sheep, and cattle
Exports - commodities
paintings, integrated circuits, automobiles, orthopedic devices, clothing (2023)
Imports - commodities
automobiles, refined oil products, clothing, perfumes, electricity (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
$499.422 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$393.62 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$538.287 million (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.04 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
0.1% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
1.7% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.2% (2022 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
6% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$5.094 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$5.226 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$5.402 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
12.8% (2024 est.)
services
77.6% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.5% (2024 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
95% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The media landscape is influenced in part by the geographical closeness to France and Spain; residents of Andorra can receive broadcasts from both nations (2023)
Internet country code
.ad
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
52,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
64 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
126,214 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
156 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
42,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
52 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Heliports
2 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C3
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with France and Spain.
Military and security forces
There are no standing military forces; the Police Corps of Andorra operates under the Ministry of Justice and Interior.
