Andorra

Andorra is a landlocked microstate in the eastern Pyrenees mountains, between France and Spain. It is a parliamentary co-principality, with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell serving as co-princes, a historical arrangement that shapes its political system but not its status as a sovereign UN member state. Its capital is Andorra la Vella, which at about 1,023 metres above sea level is often described as the highest capital city in Europe. The country is not a member of the European Union, though it uses the euro as its official currency through a monetary agreement with the EU.

Stable statistical identifiers

These are the internationally recognised identifiers for Andorra, as maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The UN M49 scheme is a statistical geography, not a political or territorial claim. It groups territories for data collection and reporting. The World Bank’s country API provides the same fields and additional economic data, but it is a separate database with its own update cycle.

• UN M49 code: 020
• ISO alpha-2: AD
• ISO alpha-3: AND
• UN region: Europe
• UN subregion: Southern Europe
• UN member state: Yes
• Capital (World Bank field): Andorra la Vella

Source: UN Statistics Division, M49 overview (https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/). These codes are statistical identifiers. The grouping “Southern Europe” is a UN statistical convention, not a geographical or political assertion.

How to verify Andorra’s current population

The number of residents in Andorra is not frozen in any single database. The most recent official figure comes from the Government of Andorra’s Department of Statistics (Departament d’Estadística), which publishes annual estimates. The United Nations World Population Prospects provides independently modelled estimates that may differ from the national figure because the UN applies its own projection methodology and adjusts for census timing. When you read a headcount, check two things: the reference year and the source. The difference between figures comes from different projection methods and reference dates.

What to do for a live figure

Open the World Bank country API and read the most recent value for the indicator SP.POP.TOTL; the API lists the reference year in the metadata. Note that year in your own work.

What to do for census-level detail

Visit the Government of Andorra’s statistical office (Departament d’Estadística). It publishes official counts, but census and register data are collected at different times and may not match the international estimates. Record the publication date of the dataset you use.

How to verify other current data

Volatile figures, languages spoken, currency details, government composition, economic indicators, and visa rules change frequently and depend on the source. Everything beyond the stable codes must be checked against the named source for the reference year you cite. Use these steps and note the reference year for each figure:

Population and demographics

Consult the United Nations World Population Prospects for estimates and projections. Cross-check with Andorra’s national statistical office for census and administrative data. For the latest figure, confirm the UN’s most recent revision year and compare it with the national statistics office release.

Languages

Check the Constitution and the official language law. Catalan is the official language, but French and Spanish are also spoken. Use the CIA World Factbook only as a secondary summary; always trace the claim back to the primary legal text.

Currency

Andorra uses the euro (EUR) through a monetary agreement with the EU. Verify current legal tender details from the European Central Bank and the Andorran financial authority.

Government

The Constitution of Andorra establishes a parliamentary co-principality; the heads of state are the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, represented locally. Verify the names of current officeholders from official government sources; do not rely on a static list.

Economy

The World Bank and IMF provide GDP, income grouping, and development indicators. Andorra is a high-income territory, but the World Bank’s income grouping should be checked annually. Always record the reference year attached to the indicator.

Travel requirements

Visa policy is set by the Schengen framework, but Andorra is not an EU member. Check your own foreign ministry or the IATA Travel Centre for current entry rules. Do not rely on third-party summaries. Print or save the advisory that matches your departure date.

Country basics

Andorra sits in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, sits at about 1,023 metres above sea level and is often described as the highest capital city in Europe. The principality is not a member of the European Union, though it uses the euro as its official currency through a monetary agreement with the EU.

The UN M49 scheme is the neutral, standard identifier used across international datasets. For Andorra, the assigned codes are:

• UN M49 numeric code: 020
• ISO alpha-2: AD
• ISO alpha-3: AND
• UN region: Europe
• UN subregion: Southern Europe
• UN member state: Yes
• World Bank capital field: Andorra la Vella

These codes come from the UN Statistics Division’s Methodology Service (UN M49 overview). They are statistical identifiers, not statements about sovereignty or territorial extent. The World Bank’s country API returns the same entry under code AD and lists Andorra la Vella as the capital in its country metadata.