Country Profile: Algeria

Algeria, located in Northern Africa along the Mediterranean Sea, is the largest country on the continent, encompassing vast deserts and high plateaus, primarily concentrated in its northern territories. Home to approximately 47 million people, the country has a rich history marked by diverse cultural influences and a struggle for independence, which was achieved in 1962. The economy is heavily reliant on oil and natural gas, which dominate exports but faces challenges such as political instability and a lack of diversification. Algeria is governed as a presidential republic, with recent reforms aimed at promoting more democratic practices amid a backdrop of youth discontent.

Geography

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, boasting an area of over 2.38 million square kilometers, which is slightly smaller than 3.5 times the size of Texas. It features a diverse topography that includes coastal plains, high plateaus, and expansive deserts, notably the Sahara. Most of the population resides in the northern regions along the Mediterranean coast, as the majority of the country's land is arid or semi-arid.

• 2,381,740 sq km - Total area
• 998 km - Length of coastline
• 17.4% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023)
• Tahat (2,908 m) - Highest point in the country
• -40 m - Lowest point at Chott Melrhir

People and Society

Algeria has a population estimated at over 47 million people, with a youthful demographic where approximately 30.8% are under the age of 15. The population is predominantly Arab-Amazigh, with Arabic as the official language, while French serves as a lingua franca. The majority of citizens identify as Sunni Muslims. The country faces challenges in urbanization, with 75.3% of the population residing in urban areas.

• 47,022,473 - Total population (2024 est.)
• 29.1 years - Median age (2024 est.)
• 20.2 births/1,000 population - Birth rate (2024 est.)
• 77.9 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
• 1.03 male(s)/female - Sex ratio (total population, 2024 est.)

Economy

Algeria's economy is primarily based on hydrocarbons, which account for a significant portion of its GDP. Despite the wealth from oil and gas, the economy suffers from a lack of diversification and ongoing political challenges, leading to low business confidence. The GDP growth rate for 2024 is projected to be 3.3%, reflecting gradual recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

• $722.912 billion - Real GDP (PPP, 2024 est.)
• 11.5% - Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
• $15,400 - GDP per capita (PPP, 2024 est.)
• 37.8% - GDP contribution from industry (2023 est.)
• 4% - Inflation rate (2024 est.)

Government

Algeria operates as a presidential republic, with a political landscape influenced by its history of military involvement in governance. The current president is Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, who has enacted reforms to enhance democratic processes. The parliament is bicameral, consisting of the National People's Assembly and the Council of the Nation.

• 58 - Number of administrative provinces (wilayas)
• 18 years - Minimum voting age
• 7% - Female representation in the National People's Assembly (2021)
• 8% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
• 5 July 1962 - Date of independence from France

Military and Security

The Algerian People's National Army (ANP) is the primary military force, tasked with both external defense and some internal security responsibilities. Algeria faces security challenges, including terrorism from groups like AQIM and ISIS. Military service is compulsory for men, with obligations starting at age 19.

• 200,000 - Estimated active military personnel (2025)
• 8% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
• 70% - Proportion of military personnel who are conscripts
• 18 years - Legal minimum age for voluntary military service
• Terrorism threats - Include groups such as AQIM and ISIS

Energy

Algeria is rich in energy resources, primarily natural gas and petroleum, which form the backbone of its economy. The country recently developed its electricity sector, achieving nearly universal access, with fossil fuels supplying the vast majority of electricity generation.

• 1.443 million bbl/day - Total petroleum production (2023 est.)
• 104.896 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023 est.)
• 100% - Electrification rate (total population, 2022 est.)
• 98.1% - Percentage of electricity from fossil fuels (2023 est.)
• 85.687 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Algeria include air pollution in urban regions, soil erosion, and desertification exacerbated by poor farming practices. There is also concern over river and coastal pollution, particularly associated with industrial activities. Algeria has committed to several international environmental agreements.

• 11% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
• 163.661 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
• 22.4 µg/m³ - Particulate matter emissions (2019 est.)
• 17.4% - Total agricultural land (2023 est.)
• 75.3% - Urban population percentage (2023 est.)

Transportation

Algeria’s transportation infrastructure includes an extensive network of roads and railways, as well as maritime ports. The country has 95 airports and a growing number of civil aircraft, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

• 4,020 km - Total length of railways (2019)
• 95 - Number of airports (2025)
• 119 - Total merchant marine vessels (2022)
• 17 - Total number of ports (2024)
• 11 - Number of heliports (2025)

Communications

The communication landscape in Algeria is characterized by a growing number of mobile subscriptions, with a significant percentage of the population having internet access. The state controls major broadcasting services, while the internet is becoming increasingly accessible.

• 77% - Internet penetration (2023 est.)
• 51.5 million - Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
• 6.324 million - Total fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)
• 5.54 million - Total broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)
• 12 - Broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	47,022,473	(2024 est.)
Area	2,381,740 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$722.912 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	11.5%	(2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	61.843 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	20.2 births/1,000 population	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.9 years	(2024 est.)