Andorra Pupil Numbers Drop Below 11,000 Amid Low Birth Rates and Migration Curbs

Andorra's new school year has started with total pupil numbers dipping below 11,000, a slight decline that Education Minister Ladislau Baró links to restrictive family reunification policies and one of Europe's lowest birth rates.

Baró described the drop as modest during the back-to-school presentation, noting that enrolment had previously exceeded 11,000. He specified that the Andorran and French systems saw decreases, while the Spanish one grew marginally, maintaining an overall balance of roughly 40% Andorran and 30% each for French and Spanish. Final figures remain provisional.

The minister pointed to two main factors: policies that limit family reunification and hinder the arrival of school-age children, and a birth rate so low that pupil numbers are not rising in line with population growth. "We have restrictive reunification policies that make it difficult for many school-age children who could arrive to do so," Baró said.

On classroom heat issues, which have affected pupil wellbeing for three consecutive years during peak temperatures, the ministry is conducting a diagnostic review of schools. This will identify needs for structural upgrades in some facilities and simpler fixes in others. Baró expects concrete measures to be in place by year-end in priority areas, though a full infrastructure overhaul is not feasible.

Separately, an audit of over 300 tablets for primary classrooms is set to wrap up by month's end. The devices will return to lessons if found safe; otherwise, they stay out of use.

Baró made these remarks while visiting an Andorran primary school and the Spanish-language Maria Moliner school in Escaldes-Engordany. He signalled willingness for public discussion on enrolment challenges but offered no further details.