Andorra: Europe’s Safest and Most Beautiful Paradise

Kazi Abul Monsur, journalist#

Andorra, a tiny country in Europe, has earned its rightful place as the safest and least crime-prone nation in the world. According to the global safety index by Numbeo, Andorra is ranked first as the safest country in 2025. This country became a full member of the United Nations on July 28, 1993.

Andorra has achieved a remarkable score of 84.7 on the Numbeo Global Safety Index, ranking first among 147 countries. It is a landlocked country located in the Pyrenees mountain range in southwestern Europe, with an area of just 467.6 square kilometers and a population of around 85,000.

Although Andorra is not part of the European Union, it uses the Euro as its official currency. Situated in the eastern Pyrenees, it is bordered by France to the north and Spain to the south. The country’s capital, Andorra la Vella, is located at the highest altitude of any capital city in Europe (1,023 meters) and is a popular ski resort and the largest city.

Andorra’s natural beauty is characterized by rugged landscapes, deep gorges, narrow valleys, and towering mountains. Its lowest point is located at an altitude of 914 meters above sea level. In winter, heavy snowfall often blocks its mountain roads, particularly those connecting with France. Summers in Andorra are cool, dry, and sunny.

Andorra has a unique political system as the world’s only “co-principality,” where two foreign princes, the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain, jointly hold symbolic head of state duties. The country is officially known as the Principality of Andorra.

In 1933, the peaceful people of Andorra passed their first constitution as an independent democratic country. The government follows a parliamentary system, and the executive power lies with the head of government. Though the two princes serve as symbolic heads of state, the country is governed by a parliamentary representative democracy.

The head of government is the country’s chief executive and leader of a multi-party system. Both the government and parliament have law-making powers, with the judiciary remaining completely independent. Andorra does not have its own military force, but a small police force maintains peace and order.

According to Wikipedia, as of 2020, 90.8% of Andorra’s population follows Christianity, while 6.9% are non-religious. Additionally, there is a 2.3% Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish population. Catalan is the official language, but Spanish is widely used for business and communication.

As a tax-free haven, Andorra’s GDP heavily relies on tourism, contributing 80% to its economy. Approximately one million foreign tourists visit annually for duty-free shopping, skiing, hiking, and entertainment. The absence of income tax has made Andorra a well-known tax haven.

According to current estimates for 2025, with a population of around 85,000, Andorra’s nominal GDP stands at $3.73 billion, and its per capita income is approximately $54,280. The country’s economy is divided into agriculture (11.9%), industry (33.6%), and services (54.5%). The literacy rate is 100%, and free and compulsory education is provided for all children aged 6 to 16.

Andorra is renowned globally for its peaceful environment, tax-free status, natural beauty, modern political model, and sustainable economic system. Despite its small population and size, it has emerged as a model of a well-ordered, beautiful, and ideal country on the international stage.##