Andorra Fertility Rate Drops 15.9% Amid Persistent Gender Gaps

Andorra's fertility rate declined 15.9% over five years, from 28.84 in 2020 to 24.63 in 2024, according to the Department of Statistics' Sistema d’Indicadors d’Igualtat study, produced jointly with the Equality Observatory—made up of the State Secretariat for Equality, Andorran Women's Institute, and Andorra Research + Innovation.

The 2024 report highlights persistent gender disparities across economics, employment, education, sports, security, and demographics. Women earned an average gross monthly salary of €2,289.93, or 80% of men's €2,836.88, resulting in an annual difference of €6,701. Male-headed households had average net incomes of €40,534, compared to €33,895 for female-headed ones—a 16.4% gap. Financial difficulties affected 51.6% of women and 48.4% of men, while 17.7% of women faced poverty or social exclusion risk versus 15.2% of men, based on the living conditions survey.

Employment segregation endured from 2020 to 2024. Construction, averaging 3,916 salaried workers yearly and 90% male, grew by 912 workers overall—764 men and 148 women. Domestic staff roles, averaging 1,041 positions annually with under 10% men, lost 21 workers per year, with 22 women leaving and one man joining. Health, veterinary, and social services averaged 2,448 workers yearly, around 80% women, though men's proportion reached 22.5% in 2024. That year saw 116 new hires—71 women (61.7%) and 45 men (38.3%).

Men dominated decision-making bodies: police averaged 3.63 men per woman (250 men, 69 women); prison staff 4.86 men per woman (57 men, 12 women); firefighters 10.78 men per woman (125 men, 12 women).

Population trends showed growth for both genders, but 2024 marked a 19.4% drop in male immigrants and 30.2% in females. Non-Andorran residents rose 12.5% among men and 8.3% among women. The 65+ age group increased 4.7% for men and 4.4% for women. Fertility details included a 37.5% decline for mothers aged 15-19 and 5.6% rise for those 20-24.

In education, bachelor's enrolments fell 25.4% for men and 33.7% for women year-on-year; master's rose 48.4% for men and 28.6% for women; vocational training increased 8.1% for men and 5.1% for women.

Sports licences averaged 63.8% male and 36.2% female from 2020-2024, with women holding 22.3% of coaching licences, 30.7% of board positions, and 20.9% of referee roles.

Gender violence indicators worsened: men's arrests for related offences rose 28.6% in 2024 from 2023. The Gender Violence Victims Service handled 327 cases, up from 301 in 2023 and reversing a prior downward trend from 2020-2023. All victims reported psychological maltreatment; physical and social violence each affected about half. Most cases (70.6%) involved women aged 28-51, followed by 18-27 (14.7%) and 52-63 (9.8%). By marital status, 40% were single, 27.5% married, and 22% separated. Nearly all (94.5%) had no recognized disability; 20.2% returned to their partner. Half (50.2%) accessed the service on their own initiative, 18.3% via Social Affairs, 13.1% police, and 12.2% Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital. Some 45.3% had filed prior complaints; 11.6% received civil or penal legal advice.

Separately, same-sex marriages rose to 14 in 2024—eight male and six female—up from 10 the previous year.