Country Profile: Algeria

Algeria, located in North Africa along the Mediterranean coast, is the largest country on the continent, characterized by its vast desert landscapes and mountainous terrains. With a population of approximately 47 million, the nation predominantly identifies as Arab-Amazigh, and the official languages are Arabic and Tamazight. The economy heavily relies on hydrocarbons, particularly oil and gas, which contribute significantly to GDP but also create challenges in economic diversification and development. The political landscape, shaped by a history of colonialism and internal conflict, continues to evolve, yet struggles with political stability and public dissatisfaction.

Geography

Algeria spans an area of 2,381,740 sq km, making it significantly larger than Texas. Despite its vast size, around 80% of the country is desert, primarily the Sahara. The northern regions feature the Atlas Mountains and a narrow coastal plain along the Mediterranean Sea, while the climate ranges from arid to semi-arid with mild winters and hot summers.

998 km of coastline.
Borders six countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania.
Highest point: Tahat at 2,908 m.
Major natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, and uranium.

People and Society

As of 2024, Algeria's estimated population is 47,022,473, with a median age of 29.1 years. The majority of the population, 99%, identifies as Arab-Amazigh, and the predominant religion is Islam. Urbanization is significant, with 75.3% of the population living in urban areas, displaying a rapid rate of urban growth.

20.2 births per 1,000 population in 2024.
Life expectancy is 77.9 years.
62.3% of the population is aged between 15-64 years.
Literacy rate for women is 74.2%.

Economy

Algeria's economy is primarily driven by oil and gas, with a GDP of $263.62 billion in 2024 at the official exchange rate. The country faces challenges such as a lack of diversification, reliance on the energy sector, and high unemployment rates.

Real GDP growth rate expected at 3.3% in 2024.
Unemployment rate stands at 11.5% in 2024.
Oil production estimated at 1.443 million bbl/day for 2023.
Exports primarily consist of crude petroleum, natural gas, and fertilizers.

Government

Algeria is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature and a history of political turbulence. The government has undergone several reforms, particularly under President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, who has been in office since late 2019.

Capital city: Algiers.
The current president is Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE.
Suffrage is universal at 18 years.
Algeria has 58 provinces (wilayas).

Military and Security

The Algerian People's National Army (ANP) encompasses land, naval, and air forces, playing a significant role in both defense and internal security. Military spending has been approximately 8% of GDP in recent years.

Estimated 200,000 active personnel in the military.
Mandatory national service for men aged 19-30.
Military equipment modernization has been ongoing, with acquisitions from Russia and other suppliers.

Energy

Algeria's energy sector is critical to its economy, with nearly all electricity produced from fossil fuels.

Installed electricity generating capacity stands at 22.591 million kW.
100% electrification rate for the population.
Natural gas production estimated at 104.896 billion cubic meters for 2023.

Environment

Environmental issues in Algeria include urban air pollution and soil erosion, exacerbated by industrial activities and inadequate waste management.

Party to international agreements on biodiversity and climate change.
75.3% of the population lives in urban areas, increasing environmental stress.

Transportation

Algeria features extensive transportation networks, including railways and numerous airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

95 airports planned by 2025.
Total railway length of 4,020 km.
119 merchant marine vessels including various cargo types.

Communications

Algeria has a rapidly growing communication infrastructure, with increasing mobile and internet penetration.

51.5 million mobile subscriptions in 2023.
77% of the population uses the internet.
Fixed-line subscriptions total 6.324 million.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	47,022,473	2024 est.
Area	2,381,740 sq km	Largest country in Africa
GDP (official exchange rate)	$263.62 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment rate	11.5%	2024 est.
Life expectancy	77.9 years	2024 est.
Birth rate	20.2 births/1,000	2024 est.
Urban population	75.3%	2023 est.
Military expenditure	8% of GDP	2024 est.
Total energy consumption	61.843 million Btu/person	2023 est.
Literacy rate (female)	74.2%	2019 est.