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.

42 30 N, 1 30 E

avalanches

2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

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

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 118 km

Border countries (2): France 55 km; Spain 63 km

Agricultural land: 39.9% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 38.3% (2023 est.)

Forest: 38.7% (2023 est.)

Other: 21.4% (2023 est.)

none (landlocked)

hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

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

Europe

0 sq km (2022)

population is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)

Highest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

Lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m

Mean elevation: 1,996 m

315.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total : 468 sq km

Land: 468 sq km

Water: 0 sq km

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)

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.)

Noun: Andorran(s)

Adjective: Andorran

Urban population: 87.8% of total population (2023)

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

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.)

23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)

5.07 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

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.)

Spanish 34.3%, Andorran 32.1%, Portuguese 10%, French 5.6%, other 18% (2024 est.)

Note: Data represent population by country of birth

Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 89.5, other 8.8%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.)

Catalan (official) 44.1%, Castilian 40.3%, Portuguese 13.5%, French 10%, English 3%, other 6.8% (2022 est.)

Note: Data represent mother tongue

8.3% of GDP (2021)

15.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

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.)

Total: 14 years (2023 est.)

Male: 14 years (2023 est.)

Female: 15 years (2023 est.)

32.8 years (2019)

0.71 (2024 est.)

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

Total: 48.8 years (2024 est.)

Male: 48.7 years

Female: 48.8 years

11 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.47 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 85,370 (2024 est.)

Male: 43,652

Female: 41,718

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

Total: 33% (2025 est.)

Male: 31.7% (2025 est.)

Female: 34.4% (2025 est.)

25.6% (2016)

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

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

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.)

Total population: 83.8 years (2024 est.)

Male: 81.6 years

Female: 86.2 years

1.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

12.1% national budget (2025 est.)

-0.12% (2024 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 43,000 tons (2024 est.)

8.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria

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

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

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

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

1278 (formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell)

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

mixed legal system of civil and customary law with the influence of canon (religious) law

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

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)

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

18 years of age; universal

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

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

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

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

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

red cow (breed unspecified)

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

Total World Heritage Sites:  1 (cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

blue, yellow, red

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

paintings, integrated circuits, cars, orthopedic appliances, garments (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

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

cars, refined petroleum, garments, perfumes, electricity (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture

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

$4.04 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Spain 65%, France 11%, Germany 4%, China 3%, Italy 3% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Spain 39%, USA 21%, France 11%, UK 5%, UAE 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

$5.402 billion (2024 est.)
$5.226 billion (2023 est.)
$5.094 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

6.2% (2022 est.)
1.7% (2021 est.)
0.1% (2020 est.)

Note: Annual % change based on consumer prices

$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

$65,900 (2024 est.)
$64,600 (2023 est.)
$63,900 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$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

$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

3.4% (2024 est.)
2.6% (2023 est.)
9.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

6% (2024 est.)

Note: Annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Percent of population: 95% (2023 est.)

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the media scene is partly shaped by the proximity to France and Spain; Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries (2023)

Total subscriptions: 126,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2022 est.)

Total: 42,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 52,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 64 (2023 est.)

C3

2 (2025)

no regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra (under the Ministry of Justice and Interior)

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain