Introduction
Background
Algeria was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962.
Geography
Area
total : 2,381,740 sq km
land: 2,381,740 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
People and Society
Population
total: 47,022,473
Ethnic groups
Arab-Amazigh 99%, European less than 1%
Languages
Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Tamazight (official) (dialects include Kabyle (Taqbaylit), Shawiya (Tacawit), Mzab, Tuareg (Tamahaq))
Religions
Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslim, Shia Muslim, Ibadi Muslim) <1% (2012 est.)
Population growth rate
1.54% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Algiers
Executive branch
chief of state: President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (since 12 December 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Nadir LARBAOUI (since 11 November 2023)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Nation (174 seats) and the National People's Assembly (407 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sabri BOUKADOUM (since 27 February 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Moore AUBIN (since 9 February 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
suffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reforms
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$699.947 billion (2023 est.)
$672.379 billion (2022 est.)
$649.015 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$15,300 (2023 est.)
$15,000 (2022 est.)
$14,700 (2021 est.)
Exports
$58.816 billion (2023 est.)
$69.242 billion (2022 est.)
$41.851 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Italy 29%, Spain 12%, France 12%, US 5%, South Korea 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, fertilizers, ammonia (2022)
Imports
$51.516 billion (2023 est.)
$46.63 billion (2022 est.)
$44.297 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 18%, France 14%, Italy 7%, Turkey 6%, Brazil 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
wheat, milk, plastics, corn, iron ore (2022)
Page last updated: Friday, September 13, 2024
