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 Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Capital City:
Andorra La Vella (+1 GMT)
Chief of State:
Co-Prince--Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France
Co-Prince--Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia, Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Head of Govt.:
Executive Council President Jaume Bartumeu
Currency:
Euro
Major Languages:
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Calling Code:
376
Voltage:
230
Primary Religions:
Roman Catholic (predominant)
Main Airports
No International Airport
Key Facts
-
GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
-
$42,500 (2007)
-
Inflation Rate
-
3.9% (2007)
-
Population
-
83,888 (July 2009 est.)
-
Country Risk Ratings
-
-
-
Ease of Doing Business
-
-/181
-
Global Competitiveness
-
-/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 42,230 (2007)
- Exports:
- $117.1 million (2007)
- Exports - partners:
- NA
- Imports:
- $1.789 billion (2007)
- Imports - partners:
- NA
- Major Industries:
- tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture
Rankings
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
EIU
Freedom of the Press
14
out of 191
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
Freedom House
Global Services Location Index
-
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
A.T. Kearney
Index of Economic Freedom
-
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Heritage Foundation
Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Forbes
The Globalization Index
-
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Foreign Policy
