Andorra Citizen Advocate Warns of 38.5% Complaints Surge Straining Services

**Andorra's Citizen Advocate warns of rising complaints signaling strain on public services**

The Raonador del Ciutadà, Xavier Cañada, has highlighted a sharp increase in complaints received in 2025, pointing to growing pressures on public services amid rapid economic and population growth. In his annual activity report, Cañada noted that the office handled 424 complaints last year, up 38.5% from 306 in 2024. This rise underscores an imbalance where population and economic expansion have outpaced improvements in key areas such as healthcare, education, mobility, and housing.

Complaints related to public administration topped the list at 179 cases, accounting for 44% of the total and marking an 86% increase from the previous year. Housing issues saw the most dramatic surge, jumping from 27 to 69 complaints—a 155.5% rise. New cases involved Andorran nationals, often young people, and long-term residents struggling to find affordable accommodation. Cañada warned that prioritizing housing's economic role over its social function risks heightening public anxiety, especially with the upcoming unfreezing of rental extensions starting next year.

Cañada identified 45 complaints—about 10% of the total—as early indicators of public services struggling to meet demand. These included shortages of specialists like gynaecologists in summer, insufficient teachers in some schools, infrequent bus services, and noise from traffic congestion. He questioned whether this signals the onset of systemic exhaustion or merely isolated issues, but linked it to uneven growth: new hotels, leisure facilities, and foreign investment have boosted the population, yet public infrastructure has not kept pace.

Using the metaphor of a three-legged stool—population, economy, and services—Cañada stressed that the third leg has lagged, causing instability. He called for a dual approach: short-term measures to address current model flaws, even if tough, to avert sudden shocks; and long-term structural reforms.

The report also flagged ongoing concerns over judicial delays and, in immigration, potential conflicts between 2025 reforms and constitutional protections for family unity and child rights. Childhood-related complaints rose 69% to 22 cases. Around 60 unaccompanied minors were noted, similar to 2024 levels.

Cañada urged closer monitoring to restore balance and prevent chronic tensions.