Europe :: Andorra

- Introduction :: Andorra
- Background:

  The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe, nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique coprincipality, 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 has become a popular tourist destination visited by approximately 8 million people each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its mature banking sector and low taxes. As part of its effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has opened to foreign investment, and engaged in other reforms, such as advancing tax initiatives aimed at supporting a 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 uses the euro as its national currency.

- Geography :: Andorra
- 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
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Area - comparative:
  2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  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:
  mean elevation: 1,996 m
  elevation extremes: 840 m lowest point: Riu Runer
  2946 highest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa
  Natural resources:
  hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 44.47% (2014 est.)
  arable land: 13.4% (2014 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2014 est.) / permanent pasture: 86.6% (2014 est.)
  forest: 34% (2014 est.)
  other: 21.5% (2014 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2012)
  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
  Environment - current issues:
  deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
- People and Society :: Andorra
- Population:
  85,708 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Nationality:
  noun: Andorran(s)
  adjective: Andorran
  Ethnic groups:
  Andorran 45.5%, Spanish 26.6%, Portuguese 12.9%, French 5.2%, other 9.8% (2017 est.)

  note: data represent population by nationality

  Languages:
  Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic (predominant)
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 14.06% (male 6,197 /female 5,856)
  15-24 years: 9.78% (male 4,344 /female 4,035)
  25-54 years: 45.27% (male 19,813 /female 18,990)
  55-64 years: 14.71% (male 6,674 /female 5,935)
  65 years and over: 16.18% (male 7,047 /female 6,817) (2018 est.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  Europe :: Andorra Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for Andorra. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
  For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
  Median age:
  total: 44.9 years
  male: 45.1 years
  female: 44.8 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Population growth rate:
  -0.01% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Birth rate:
  7.3 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 224
  Death rate:
  7.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  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: 88.1% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: -0.31% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  55-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 82.9 years (2018 est.)
  male: 80.7 years (2018 est.)
  female: 85.3 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Total fertility rate:
  1.41 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Health expenditures:
  8.1% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Physicians density:
  3.69 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
  Hospital bed density:
  2.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)
  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 (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
  rural: 100% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
  unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  rural: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  25.6% (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Education expenditures:
  3.3% of GDP (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2016 est.)
  total population: 100% (2016 est.)
  male: 100% (2016 est.)
  female: 100% (2016 est.)
- Government :: Andorra
- 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; the name may derive from the Arabic "ad-darra" meaning "the forest," a reference to its location as part of the Spanish March (defensive buffer zone) against the invading Moors in the 8th century
  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, who delegate responsibility to other officials
  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
  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)
  Constitution:
  history: drafted 1991, approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 28 April 1993 (2017)
  amendments: proposed by the coprinces 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 coprinces (2017)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of civil and customary law with the influence of canon law
  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
  Judicial branch:
  highest courts: 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 coprinces, 1 by the General Council, 1 by the executive council president, and 1 by the courts; judges serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional magistrates appointed 2 by the coprinces 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
  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 Josep Maria MAURI (since 20 July 2012)
  head of government: Head of Government (or Cap de Govern) Antoni MARTI PETIT (since 1 April 2015)
  cabinet: Executive Council of ten ministers designated by the head of government
  elections/appointments: head of government indirectly elected by the General Council (Andorran parliament), formally appointed by the coprinces for a 4-year term; election last held on 31 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019); the leader of the majority party in the General Council is usually elected head of government
  election results: Antoni MARTI Petit (DA) elected head of government; percent of General Council vote - 79%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de les Valls (a minimum of 28 seats; 14 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies (parishes) by simple majority vote and 14 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - voters cast two separate ballots - one for a national list and one for a parish list
  elections: last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2019)
  election results: percent of vote by party - DA 37%, PLA 27.7%, PS-VA-IC-independent coalition 23.5%, SDP 11.7%; seats by party - DA 15, PLA 8, PS-VA-IC-independent coalition 3, SDP 2; composition - men 18, women 10, percent of women 35.7%
  Political parties and leaders:
  Citizens' Initiative or IC [Sergi RICART] (including PS, VA, IC, and independents)
  Democrats for Andorra or DA [Antoni MARTI PETIT]
  Greens of Andorra or VA [Isabel LOZANO MUNOZ, Juli FERNANDEZ BLASI]
  Liberal Party or PLA [Jordi GALLARDO]
  Social Democratic Party or PS [Vincenc ALAY FERRER]
  Social Democratic Progress Party or SDP [Victor NAUDI ZAMORA]

  note: Andorra has several smaller parties at the parish level (one is Lauredian Union)

  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)
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Elisenda VIVES BALMANA (since 2 March 2016)
  chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064
  FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  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, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175
  Flag description:
  three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the latter band is slightly wider than the other 2 so that the ratio of band widths is 8:9:8; 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 colors: 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

- Economy :: Andorra
- Economy - overview:

  Andorra has a developed economy and a free market, with per capita income above the European average and above the level of its neighbors, Spain and France. The country has developed a sophisticated infrastructure including a one-of-a-kind micro-fiber-optic network for the entire country. Tourism, retail sales, and finance comprise more than three-quarters of GDP. Duty-free shopping for some products and the country’s summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened and the government eased bank secrecy laws under pressure from the EU and OECD.

  Agricultural production is limited - only about 5% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. The principal livestock is sheep. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

  To provide incentives for growth and diversification in the economy, the Andorran government began sweeping economic reforms in 2006. The Parliament approved three laws to complement the first phase of economic openness: on companies (October 2007), on business accounting (December 2007), and on foreign investment (April 2008 and June 2012). From 2011 to 2015, the Parliament also approved direct taxes in the form of taxes on corporations, on individual incomes of residents and non-residents, and on capital gains, savings, and economic activities. These regulations aim to establish a transparent, modern, and internationally comparable regulatory framework, in order to attract foreign investment and businesses that offer higher value added.

  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $3.327 billion (2015 est.)
  $3.363 billion (2014 est.)
  $3.273 billion (2013 est.)

  note: data are in 2012 US dollars

  country comparison to the world: 186
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.712 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  -1.1% (2015 est.)
  1.4% (2014 est.)
  -0.1% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $49,900 (2015 est.)
  $51,300 (2014 est.)
  $50,300 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 32
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 11.9% (2015 est.)
  industry: 33.6% (2015 est.)
  services: 54.5% (2015 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle
  Industries:
  tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA
  Labor force:
  39,750 (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 0.5%
  industry: 4.4%
  services: 95.1% (2015)
  Unemployment rate:
  3.7% (2016 est.)
  4.1% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA
  highest 10%: NA
  Budget:
  revenues: 1.872 billion (2016)
  expenditures: 2.06 billion (2016)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  69% (of GDP) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -6.9% (of GDP) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Public debt:
  41% of GDP (2014 est.)
  41.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.9% (2015 est.)
  -0.1% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Exports:
  $78.71 million (2015 est.)
  $79.57 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Exports - commodities:
  tobacco products, furniture
  Imports:
  $1.257 billion (2015 est.)
  $1.264 billion (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Imports - commodities:
  consumer goods, food, fuel, electricity
  Debt - external:
  $0 (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Exchange rates:
  euros (EUR) per US dollar -
  0.885 (2017 est.)
  0.903 (2016 est.)
  0.9214 (2015 est.)
  0.885 (2014 est.)
  0.7634 (2013 est.)
- Energy :: Andorra
- Electricity access:
  electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
  Electricity - production:
  99.48 million kWh (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Electricity - consumption:
  221.6 million kWh (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Electricity - exports:
  6,000 kWh (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Electricity - imports:
  471.3 million kWh (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  520,000 kW (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  61% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  23% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  15% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 56
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2016) (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 104
- Communications :: Andorra
- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 38,411 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total subscriptions: 80,337 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 104 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: modern automatic telephone system; broadband internet and LTE mobile lines for both consumer and enterprise customers available (2017)
  domestic: 50 per 100 fixed-line, 45 per 100 mobile-cellular; modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges (2017)
  international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain (2016)
  Broadcast media:
  1 public TV station and 2 public radio stations; about 10 commercial radio stations; good reception of radio and TV broadcasts from stations in France and Spain; upgraded to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in 2007; roughly 25 international TV channels available (2016)
  Internet country code:
  .ad
  Internet users:
  total: 83,887 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 97.9% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
  total: 34,284 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
- Transportation :: Andorra
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
  C3 (2016)
  Roadways:
  total: 320 km (2015)
  country comparison to the world: 204
- Military and Security :: Andorra
- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
- Transnational Issues :: Andorra
- Disputes - international:
  none