Andorran Women Face Chronic Diseases Earlier and More Often Than Men

Women in Andorra experience chronic conditions far more frequently than men, and these persistent health issues often emerge at much younger ages.

According to the National Health Survey, 55.5% of women suffer from three or more chronic disorders, compared to 36.7% of men. This disparity holds across all age groups, with prevalence rising with age for both sexes—reaching eight in ten men and nine in ten women aged 75 and older.

Women begin reporting chronic conditions regularly from age 25, while men typically do not until age 45. Among women, the rate follows a social class gradient: around four in ten in higher-income groups report three or more conditions, rising to nearly seven in ten in lower-income segments. No such pattern appears among men, though professionals with university degrees or diplomas show the lowest prevalence.

The survey, which gathered data over several months in 2024, was analyzed by the AR+I sociology unit and the Health Ministry. Officials are using the findings to strengthen effective health measures and address shortcomings.

For men, the most common chronic issues are chronic back pain (20.9%), high cholesterol (16.6%), hearing problems (15.2%), high blood pressure (15%), and chronic allergies (13.8%). All have increased since prior surveys. Anxiety has seen a sharp rise, from 4.9% to 12.5%.

Women report higher rates of neck pain (32%), poor circulation (29.8%), chronic back pain (29.4%), varicose veins (25.5%), and anxiety (23.8%). These conditions are more prevalent than in the 2011 survey. Depression prevalence has declined slightly, from 13% in 2022 to 9.5%.

Overall, most conditions show rising prevalence over time—compared to 2002, 2011, and 2024 data—likely linked to population aging, though the survey does not state this explicitly.