Andorra - 86.88
22
A political deadlock caused by one guy
Andorra is an interesting microstate sandwiched between Spain and France in the Pyrenees Mountains. The country recognizes both the bishop of Urgell and the president of France as dual heads of state. This situation has caused a political deadlock, with the staunchly anti-abortion Bishop Joan i Sicília blocking the directly elected parliament from loosening the strictest abortion legislation in Europe. A problem that recurred in several categories is that only about half of Andorra’s population are citizens, and citizenship is required for certain things such as the right to vote or access government-provided healthcare. Andorra has no duty to provide for non-citizens but the fact that citizenship is so difficult to access for such a large part of the population is troubling.
Human Rights - 82
Andorra has fully abolished the death penalty. Andorra is all but closed to refugees but continues to accept wealthy immigrants from Europe. Bizarrely, authorities are incredibly reluctant to investigate allegations of workplace sexual harassment but investigated other allegations of sexual misconduct without issue. Andorra guarantees “civil unions” but gay marriage is illegal. Abortion is absolutely illegal in Andorra. Andorra is the highest scoring country to criminalize abortion outright and is one of two countries in Europe to have such laws, the other being Malta.
Democracy - 86
Andorra is a constitutional monarchy (albeit an atypical one), limiting its score to 95. The country recognizes two co-princes, the bishop of Urgell and the president of France as dual heads of state, neither of whom are elected by the Andorran people. The co-princes have few executive powers other than the ability to veto legislation, which has caused a political deadlock as the staunchly anti-abortion bishop of Urgell, Joan i Sicília has repeatedly vetoed attempts by the parliament to loosen the country’s laws banning abortion under all circumstances. The prime minister, who holds most executive power, is chosen by the directly elected parliament. Elections are free and fair with a strong multi-party system. Roughly half of Andorra’s population are non-citizens, precluding them from the right to vote.
Freedom - 80
Andorra has several unenforced laws regarding criminal defamation. These laws were historically used to silence dissent in the media but have not been used in years. Andorra has very strict laws governing illegal drugs, with even first-time possession carrying steep jail sentences. The head of every household is mandated by a largely unenforced law, to own a rifle, and the police are required to provide rifles to those who don’t have them in case of an emergency. Fully-automatic weapons are not legal.
Economy - 90
Health - 97
Andorra has a life expectancy of 83 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.3%. 22.6% of Andorrans are obese and none are malnourished. The Lancet ranked Andorra as having the best healthcare system in the world, despite the country lacking fully-universal coverage. The government covers 75% of outpatient expenses, 90% of hospitalisations, and 100% of work-related accidents for citizens, which 50% of the population is not. All Andorrans have access to clean, running water. 44% of Andorrans smoke regularly.
Corruption - 85
Despite generally being regarded as having very low corruption, Andorra has virtually zero anti-corruption legislation.
Competency - 75
Andorra is heavily reliant on support from Spain and France and is not remotely self-sufficient. Andorra has frequently suffered from political deadlock due to the bishop of Urgell’s agenda and veto power.
Future - 90
Andorra suffered a major economic hit due to COVID. However, the Andorran tourism economy has been expanding with construction currently underway for the country’s first casino and several more planned.
Actions Abroad - 95
Andorra does not maintain an expeditionary military force and is instead reliant on military support from France and Spain. Andorra is in the process of reforming its tax haven, recently having passed legislation to more strictly regulate its banks.
Andorra officially has no poverty, by virtue of no Andorrans living below the international poverty line and the country not having a national poverty line. 2.9% of Andorrans are unemployed and the country has a low economic disparity. Minimum wage in Andorra is $976 per month. A statute mandates that minimum wage must be adjusted bi-annually by parliament. Andorra was scored by the Lancet as having the best healthcare system in the world. Despite this, coverage is far from universal. 75% of outpatient expenses are covered, 90% of hospitalizations, and 100% of work-related accidents are covered by the government. This policy only applies to citizens, of which about half of the country’s population is not. Andorra’s GDP shrunk by 12% in 2020, after growing 2% in 2019.