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": { "Location": { "text": "Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "42 30 N, 1 30 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Europe" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "468 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "468 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "2.5 times the size of Washington, DC" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "118 km" }, "border countries": { "text": "France 55 km, Spain 63 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "0 km (landlocked)" }, "Maritime claims": { "text": "none (landlocked)" }, "Climate": { "text": "temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers" }, "Terrain": { "text": "rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys" }, "Elevation": { "mean elevation": { "text": "1,996 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Riu Runer 840 m" }, "highest point": { "text": "Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "40% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 1.7% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 38.3% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "34% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "26% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "0 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "population is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "avalanches" }, "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Geography - note": { "text": "landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "85,645 (July 2021 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Andorran(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Andorran" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Andorran 48.8%, Spanish 25.1%, Portuguese 12%, French 4.4%, other 9.7% (2017 est.)", "note": "note: data represent population by nationality
" }, "Languages": { "text": "Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese" }, "Religions": { "text": "Roman Catholic (predominant)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "13.37% (male 5,901/female 5,551)" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "10.16% (male 4,474/female 4,227)" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "43.19% (male 18,857/female 18,131)" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "15.91% (male 7,184/female 6,443)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "17.36% (male 7,544/female 7,323) (2020 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "46.2 years" }, "male": { "text": "46.3 years" }, "female": { "text": "46.1 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "-0.1% (2021 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "6.91 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "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": { "text": "87.9% of total population (2020)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "-0.31% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.07 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.06 male(s)/female" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "1.06 male(s)/female" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "1.12 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1.06 male(s)/female (2020 est.)" } }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "3.5 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "3.59 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "83.23 years" }, "male": { "text": "80.99 years" }, "female": { "text": "85.6 years (2021 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "1.44 children born/woman (2021 est.)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 100% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 100% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "Current Health Expenditure": { "text": "10.3% (2017)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "3.33 physicians/1,000 population (2015)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "2.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 100% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 100% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 100% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - deaths": { "text": "NA" }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "25.6% (2016)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "3.2% of GDP (2019)" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "100%" }, "male": { "text": "100%" }, "female": { "text": "100% (2016)" } } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Principality of Andorra" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Andorra" }, "local long form": { "text": "Principat d'Andorra" }, "local short form": { "text": "Andorra" }, "etymology": { "text": "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": { "text": "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": { "text": "Andorra la Vella" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "42 30 N, 1 31 E" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)" }, "daylight saving time": { "text": "+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October" }, "note": "note: Andorra has several smaller parties at the parish level (one is Lauredian Union)
" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "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": { "text": "Ambassador Elisenda VIVES BALMANA (since 2 March 2016)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (212) 750-8064" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (212) 750-6630" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "embassy": { "text": "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": { "text": "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": "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)": { "text": "red cow (breed unspecified); national colors: blue, yellow, red" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"El Gran Carlemany\" (The Great Charlemagne)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS" }, "note": "note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative
" } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "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.
" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2015": { "text": "-1.1% (2015 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2014": { "text": "1.4% (2014 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2013": { "text": "-0.1% (2013 est.)" } }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015": { "text": "-0.9% (2015 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2014": { "text": "-0.1% (2014 est.)" } }, "Credit ratings": { "Fitch rating": { "text": "BBB+ (2018)" }, "Standard & Poors rating": { "text": "BBB (2017)" } }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015": { "text": "$3.327 billion (2015 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014": { "text": "$3.363 billion (2014 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2013": { "text": "$3.273 billion (2013 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2012 US dollars
" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$2.712 billion (2016 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2015": { "text": "$49,900 (2015 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2014": { "text": "$51,300 (2014 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2013": { "text": "$50,300 (2013 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "11.9% (2015 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "33.6% (2015 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "54.5% (2015 est.)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle" }, "Industries": { "text": "tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "NA" }, "Labor force": { "text": "39,750 (2016)" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "0.5%" }, "industry": { "text": "4.4%" }, "services": { "text": "95.1% (2015)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2016": { "text": "3.7% (2016 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2015": { "text": "4.1% (2015 est.)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "NA" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "NA" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "1.872 billion (2016)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "2.06 billion (2016)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "69% (of GDP) (2016)" }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "-6.9% (of GDP) (2016)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2014": { "text": "41% of GDP (2014 est.)" }, "Public debt 2013": { "text": "41.4% of GDP (2013 est.)" } }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "calendar year" }, "Exports": { "Exports 2015": { "text": "$78.71 million (2015 est.)" }, "Exports 2014": { "text": "$79.57 million (2014 est.)" } }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "tobacco products, furniture" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2015": { "text": "$1.257 billion (2015 est.)" }, "Imports 2014": { "text": "$1.264 billion (2014 est.)" } }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "consumer goods, food, fuel, electricity" }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 2016": { "text": "$0 (2016)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "currency": { "text": "euros (EUR) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2017": { "text": "0.885 (2017 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2016": { "text": "0.903 (2016 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2015": { "text": "0.9214 (2015 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2014": { "text": "0.885 (2014 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2013": { "text": "0.7634 (2013 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "100% (2020)" } }, "Electricity - production": { "text": "99.48 million kWh (2015 est.)" }, "Electricity - consumption": { "text": "221.6 million kWh (2015 est.)" }, "Electricity - exports": { "text": "6,000 kWh (2015 est.)" }, "Electricity - imports": { "text": "471.3 million kWh (2015 est.)" }, "Electricity - installed generating capacity": { "text": "520,000 kW (2010 est.)" }, "Electricity - from fossil fuels": { "text": "61% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)" }, "Electricity - from nuclear fuels": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from hydroelectric plants": { "text": "23% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)" }, "Electricity - from other renewable sources": { "text": "15% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)" }, "Crude oil - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2016)" }, "Crude oil - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)" }, "Crude oil - imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2016) (2016)" }, "Crude oil - proved reserves": { "text": "0 bbl (2016) (2016)" }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2016)" }, "Natural gas - production": { "text": "0 cu m (2016) (2016)" }, "Natural gas - consumption": { "text": "0 cu m (2016) (2016)" }, "Natural gas - exports": { "text": "0 cu m (2016) (2016)" }, "Natural gas - imports": { "text": "0 cu m (2016) (2016)" }, "Natural gas - proved reserves": { "text": "0 cu m (2016)" } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "44,050" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "51.41 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "97,645" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "113.96 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "modern automatic telephone system; broadband Internet and LTE mobile lines for both consumer and enterprise customers available (2019)" }, "domestic": { "text": "51 per 100 fixed-line, 113 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain; modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges (2019)" }, "note": "none
" } } }