The State of Democracy in Andorra

Andorra's Democracy Index: Trends and Development

Closed Autocracy

No free elections are held, and political opposition is largely suppressed.

Democracy Score

Andorra achieves a score of out of 100 in the PolitPro Democracy Index.

±0

Trend: Significant Decline

Over the past decade, the democracy score has severely deteriorated.

Andorra's Democracy Index: Trends and Development

Andorra is widely regarded as one of the most stable and secure democracies globally. Since adopting its first modern constitution in 1993, this microstate in the Pyrenees has evolved from a quasi-feudal structure into a modern rule-of-law state. Globally, the country consistently ranks high in political stability. Its foundations are solid, even if geographical isolation and small size present unique challenges for institutional diversity. The overall trend remains positive and characterized by continuity.

Rule of Law & Individual Liberty

The protection of individual liberties is deeply enshrined in the constitution. The judiciary operates independently, although human resources are limited due to the country's small size. A notable area of tension remains the relationship between tradition and modern liberal values, particularly on socio-political issues such as abortion rights, which remain institutionally complex due to the role of the two Co-Princes (the Bishop of Urgell and the French President). Minority rights are formally protected.

Electoral Integrity & Representation

Elections in Andorra are free, fair, and transparent. The electoral system combines national party lists with strong local representation from the seven parishes (Parròquies). Opposition parties compete on equal terms, and the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box is an established part of the political culture. The media landscape is diverse but often reflects the country's close economic interdependencies. Nevertheless, access to political competition remains open and competitive for all citizens.

Quality of Political Deliberation

Political discourse in Andorra is characterized by its close-knit community and a strong culture of consensus-building. Major political decisions are often preceded by extensive debates that prioritize the common good. Extreme polarization is rare compared to its larger neighboring states. Nevertheless, many processes unfold within a small circle of decision-makers. The challenge lies in broadening public debate beyond traditional elites and giving greater weight to evidence-based facts.

Equality & Social Participation

While social inequality in Andorra is moderate compared to other microstates, political influence noticeably correlates with deep roots in long-established families. A central issue for equal opportunity is citizenship law: a significant portion of residents do not hold Andorran nationality and are thus excluded from direct political participation. This creates a two-tier society between enfranchised citizens and the majority of the working population who lack political voice.

Direct Civic Influence

Citizen participation is traditionally very strong at the local level within the seven 'Parròquies' (parishes). These communities enjoy a high degree of autonomy and serve as the direct point of contact for the populace. However, outside of elections, there are fewer institutionalized instruments for direct democracy at the national level. Civil society is active but small. Political participation largely focuses on local self-governance, while nationwide referendums or digital participation formats still offer potential for expansion.

Data Sources and Methodology

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V-Dem – Varieties of Democracy

A global research project from the University of Gothenburg. Independent experts worldwide assess political systems and democracy levels based on scientific criteria.

Additional Sources

Coppedge, Michael, John Gerring, Carl Henrik Knutsen, Staffan I. Lindberg, Jan Teorell, David Altman, Fabio Angiolillo, Michael Bernhard, Agnes Cornell, M. Steven Fish, Linnea Fox, Lisa Gastaldi, Haakon Gjerløw, Adam Glynn, Ana Good God, Allen Hicken, Katrin Kinzelbach, Kyle L. Marquardt, Kelly McMann, Valeriya Mechkova, Anja Neundorf, Pamela Paxton, Daniel Pemstein, Josefine Pernes, Johannes von Römer, Brigitte Seim, Rachel Sigman, Svend-Erik Skaaning, Jeffrey Staton, Aksel Sundström, Marcus Tannenberg, Eitan Tzelgov, Yi-ting Wang, Tore Wig, and Daniel Ziblatt. 2026. "V-Dem Codebook v16" Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project.