Andorra Life Expectancy

What is the life expectancy in Andorra, and why is so high? Andorra is considered one of the countries with the longest life expectancy with an average of 83.5 years. Based on data from WHO, Andorra ranks in the top 3 of the life expectancy list for several consecutive years, just behind Spain and Japan. Promotion of physical activity, especially among the elderly, excellent healthcare system, environment, location, altitude, and gastronomy are some of the key factors.

Life Expectancy: Why Andorrans Live Longer?

Even more, sought after than the Coca-Cola formula is the secret of longevity. Life expectancy grows year after year, but some individuals and, above all, some regions and specific countries present enviable figures in terms of the length of life of their population. Andorra boasts one of the highest life expectancies on the planet, with an average of 83.5 years, and allows the population to enjoy more years of life than the rest of the world.

What are the factors helping to achieve longer life? Well, although there is no specific scientific answer, it is considered that confluence of factors forms a perfect combination: a peaceful environment, without conflicts for many decades, a benign climate, with a very good quality of life in a mountainous environment with clean air, food, top-notch healthcare system, and healthy lifestyle of its inhabitants.

The figures, despite offering nuances, depending on the organization conducting the studies, do not deceive: a report by the U.S. Census Bureau cites Andorra as the country in the world with the highest life expectancy. The World Health Organization (WHO), places the Principality in third place.

One of the factors that most influences longevity is undoubtedly the tranquility of the environment, fully integrated with nature and without large crowds or sources of stress. The urban growth of the Principality has been carried out without breaking the harmonious coexistence between population and nature, always allowing citizens to have green and healthy spaces just a few minutes away.

This tranquility also extends to personal safety levels, since the crime rate in Andorra is extremely low, with a prison population of about fifty inmates, making it one of the countries in the world where it is most unlikely to be a victim of crime.

Precisely, one of the factors that are usually highlighted, by the population that is living in Andorra and by tourists, is the feeling of security that one has at any time of the night and day in all parts of the country. A factor that clearly reduces stress and enhances the quality of life.

Life Expectancy at Birth in Andorra

• Total Population: 83.5 years
• Men: 80.7 years
• Women: 86.3 years

Andorra: One of the Safest Countries in the World

Andorra is one of the countries in the world with the lowest crime per inhabitant, according to statistics published by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). Citizen security is guaranteed by a police force with one agent for every 264.4 inhabitants, with an effective justice system and a penal code that is tougher than that of some of its neighboring countries, and with an immigration law that establishes as a preventive measure the administrative expulsion from Andorran territory of those who pose a security risk.

The law also establishes that in order to reside in the Principality of Andorra, a criminal record certificate from the countries of origin must be presented. No less important is the peaceful tradition of the Principality, which, unlike most countries, has lived for many decades without suffering any war. The population never had to endure the very important psychological after-effects that wars and post-wars always entail.

Andorra’s Healthy Living Habits

Healthy living habits are another key issue. All Andorran parishes have sports facilities that encourage exercise and mountain activity among the population, and the offer of public services is complemented by initiatives such as the Healthy Path of Human Rights, inaugurated a few months ago, which encourages people to walk thirty kilometers through natural landscapes.

Between the country’s orography and the authorities’ commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, there is no excuse for not practicing sports. The natural environment makes it a true paradise for nature and sports lovers, and whether skiing, mountain biking, or trekking along any of the routes that run through the country, there are always opportunities within walking distance, in addition to the sports facilities and parks in urban areas.

The number of hours a year that Andorrans spend in the open air, according to experts, considerably reduces their stress level, helping to prevent both high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems, with a significant impact on the life expectancy of the population.

According to statistics, almost half of the Andorran population walks at least half an hour every day, and in leisure time the prevalence of healthy physical activity is 36.6% in men and 30.9% in women. Good habits also extend to the reduction in the consumption of products harmful to health, such as tobacco, which continues to fall, with 35.5% of men and 25.5% of women smokers.

Great healthcare access

As for the healthcare system, Andorra leads the world ranking, according to the Institute for Evaluation and Metrics at the University of Washington (USA), with a very low mortality rate from diseases that can be combated with medical care, known as avoidable deaths. General access to medical care multiplies the chances of Andorrans to reach very advanced ages.

According to studies by the National Health Plan, there is a good implementation of preventive activities, such as regular measurement of blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels, flu vaccination, vaginal cytology, and regular mammography. All of these measures have a direct impact on life expectancy. Health care to the population, in addition, although it concentrates resources in the most populated parishes, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, reaches all the parishes, which have health centers with nurses, midwives, family doctors, and dentists.

Nutritional quality

The fact of having a very low unemployment rate and high levels of secondary education of the population also means that, in general, there are incomes that allow for high nutritional quality. Food is one of the matters that most influence life expectancy. In Andorra, the vast majority of the population can afford to buy quality food. Moreover, the Principality’s food is based on local products, and a mixture of Mediterranean and mountain products predominates.

To complete the circle, the high mountain climate is also allied with the other factors. The average altitude is 1,996 meters above sea level, and there are 65 peaks over 2,500 meters above sea level and valleys and forests that occupy 40% of the territory and maintain air purity levels. Since 2006, moreover, air quality has been improving, an issue that affects the health of the population and reduces asthma and respiratory problems, among others, contributing to the Andorran formula for living longer and longer.