Form of Government: Republic
Area: 2 381 741 sq km
Population: 43 851 043 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 18.41 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 37° - 19° N; long. 9° - 12° E
Capital: Algiers=El Djazaïr (capital) 3 415 800 inhab. (2011); Algiers 7 796 900 inhab. (2011), urban agglomeration
Currency: Algerian dinar (100 centimes)
Human development index: 0.748 (rank: 91)
President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune (FLN), elected 12 December 2019
Prime Minister: Aïmene Benabderrahmane (independent), since 30 June 2021
National People's Assembly: seats based on the elections of 12 June 2021: National Liberation Front (FLN), 98; Movement of Society for Peace-Front of Change (Sunni Islamist coalition), 65; Democratic National Rally (RND), 58; Future Front, 48; National Construction Movement, 39; others, 99
Internet: www.ons.dz (Office National des Statistiques)
Member of Arab League, AU, OAS observer, OIC, OPEC, UN, WTO observer
Algeria

International license plate code DZ
International dialling code 00213
Travel vaccinations requirement yellow fever (required only if traveling from a country with risk of transmission, including travelers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of transmission)
Electricity (Voltage) 230
Driving side rigth
Internet code .dz
GMT +1
DST not applied
Annual average temperature (°C) Algiers 18.3; Tamanrasset 20.9
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Algiers 12/24.5; Tamanrasset 11.5/28.5
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Algiers 10/5; Tamanrasset 10/9
Annual average precipitation (mm) Algiers 695; Tamanrasset 44
Days of rainfall (annual average) Algiers 76; Tamanrasset 21

The referendum held on 1 November 2020 approved the government-proposed amendments to the constitution, but most of the population did not turn up to vote. Dissatisfaction was seen in the resumption of protests, which resulted in early elections (12 June 2021); in the case of the referendum, with a low turnout (23%).
Geography.
Algeria is bordered by Tunisia and Libya to the east, by Niger, Mali and Mauritania to the south and by Morocco and Western Sahara to the west; the Mediterranean Sea lies off its north coast. From north to south, the well-irrigated, fertile coastal Tell with its Mediterranean climate gives way to the mountainous land of the Tell Atlas in the north and the Sahara Atlas in the south. Between them lies a dry steppe plateau. The Sahara Desert, dotted with oases, rises up in the south to the Ahaggar Massif (Mt. Tahat, 2908 m).
Government
A French colony since 1830, Algeria became independent on 3 July 1962, after eight years of war between France and the National Liberation Front (FLN) which since then has always controlled the government.
In 1989, following changes in the international situation and the development of strong people’s movements, a new Constitution brought an end to the Socialist one-party system.
In the first round of the political elections (on 26 December, 1991), the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) proved highly successful, but its access to power was blocked by the intervention of the armed forces, which called off the second round of the elections, dissolved the FIS and arrested its leaders. There then began a period of fierce fighting between government forces and fundamentalist groups. The latter were responsible for massacres in which many civilians were killed (more than 150 000 between 1993 and 2005). In 2006, the “Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation” was approved, granting a general amnesty to the terrorists and ending the civil war. From 1999 to 2019 the presidency was held by A. Bouteflika, who resigned following a large popular protest movement (hirak). There are separatist movements in Kabylia, the Berber region south-west of Algiers, and a rebel fundamentalist movement associated with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
According to the 1989 Constitution, amended several times, the President of the Republic, whose powers of government are very wide, is elected by direct vote for a five-year term, as is the National People’s Assembly, composed of 407 members; the Council of the Nation has 144 members (48 appointed by the President and 96 elected for a six-year term) half of whom must be renewed every three years. No political parties are allowed whose ideology is based on race, religion, gender or language: thus Islamic and ethnic minority parties are illegal. Islam has been declared the religion of state and practices which are contrary to “Islamic morality” are forbidden.
Justice.
The civil and penal legal system is based on the French system, with Islamic influences.
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Algiers=El Djazaïr | 3 415 800 | inhab. | 2011 |
Oran=Wahran | 609 940 | inhab. | 2008 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Algiers | 7 796 900 | inhab. | 2011 |
Constantine | 943 000 | inhab. | 2015 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 23.583 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 4.716 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Arab | 74$ | % | 2000 |
Berber | 26$ | % | 2000 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Muslim (Sunni) | 99$ | % | 2017 |
other | 1$ | % | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Arabic (official) |
French |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 29.5 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 22.2 | % | 2020 |
Economy
Economic situation.
Falling oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced revenue and worsened cash flow in current accounts, depleting foreign exchange reserves and devaluing the dinar. These negative effects also persist in 2021, despite the partial recovery. Increased unemployment has also added to growing social unrest. The rigid and statist economic structure does not help diversification, makes it difficult to deal with the onerous subsidy system and does not contribute to reducing the high rate of youth unemployment.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 151.45 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 111.5 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 12 231 856 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 17.6 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 12.8 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 31.7 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 7 726 000 | M LCU | 2019 |
Revenues | 6 314 000 | M LCU | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 9.9 | % | 2019 |
industry | 30.7 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 12.889 | % | 2019 |
industry | 38.977 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 6 195.674 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 59 434.389 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
Primary sector.
Farming is practised on the coastal strip (olives, watermelons, vegetables and citrus fruits), on the plateaux (potatoes, cereal crops, vines, sheep and goat livestock) and in the oases (dates at Biskra, El-Oued, Ghardaïa and Ouargla). Wine production is relevant. To meet the water demand, in addition to conventional resources, the desalination of seawater is highly important. The main fishing-ports are Ghazaouet, Mestghanem, Bouharoun, Cherchell, Annaba, Bou Zedjar, Beni-Saf, Algiers.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 3.576 | % | 2018 |
forests | 0.81 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 1 647.746 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cereals, total | 5 633.513 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 5 020.249 | 1000 t | 2019 |
roots and tubers, total | 5 020.249 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
artichokes | 119.636 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cabbages | 116.426 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 1.789 | 1000 t | 2019 |
beans, green | 95.022 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 549.833 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olives | 868.754 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 12.602 | 1000 t | 2019 |
rapeseed | 22.917 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 15.164 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 0.08 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 558.83 | 1000 t | 2019 |
apricots | 209.204 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 72.412 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 1 584.098 | 1000 t | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 0.606 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 0.159 | 1000 t | 2019 |
dates | 1 136.025 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 1.996 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 1 133.005 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
maize | 1.533 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 157.864 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
artichokes | 5.792 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
cabbages | 4.317 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 1.912 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
beans, green | 12.706 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 61.676 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olive | 431.634 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
groundnuts | 4.886 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
rapeseed | 11.588 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 4.79 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 0.275 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 32.989 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
apricots | 30.861 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 35.38 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 64.189 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 0.454 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 0.007 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
dates | 170.082 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 8 876 893 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 1 780.591 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 1 780.591 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 4.596 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 29 428.929 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 4 986.116 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
asses | 86.987 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
asses and mules | 102.884 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
camels | 416.519 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 138 771 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
honey | 6.347 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 4.683 | 1000 t | 2018 |
cheese | 2.679 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 3 596.579 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 2 383.53 | t | 2019 |
Minerals
Secondary sector
Minerals.
The largest oilfields are at Hassi-Messaoud, Rhourde el Baguel, El Gassi-El Agreb, Tin Fouyé, Edjeleh, Gassi Touil, Ohanet, Haoud Berkaoui and Zarzaïtine; natural gas reserves are found at Hassi R’Mel, Ain-Salah, Rhourde, Alrar and Messdar.
A sophisticated network of oil and gas pipelines connects the fields with the petro-chemical companies and ports on the coast: two sections of pipeline start at Hassi-Messaoud, one bound for Arzew and the other for Ouenza, where it splits again to supply Béjaïa and Skikda; other stretches convey crude oil from the oilfields at Zarzaïtine, Edjeleh, Ouan Taredert, El-Abed Larache, Tin Fouyé and Tiguentourine to La Skhirra (Tunisia). Gas pipelines run from Hassi R’Mel to the Algerian coast (Arzew), then across Tunisia and the Sicilian Channel to Mazara del Vallo (Sicily), in Italy.
Other mining resources include iron (at Ouenza, Bou Khadra, Beni-Saf, Khanguet el Mouhad, Anini and Rouina), phosphates, building material, zinc, lead and copper ores (from which silver is also extracted), and gold.
Industry.
Algeria’s oil-refining capacity is considerable (refineries at Algiers, Adrar, Arzew, Skikda and Hassi-Messaoud); helium is extracted from natural gas plants in Arzew and Skikda. Other important products are chemicals and fertilizers, steel (at Annaba, El Milia and Ouahran) and cement. Textiles, engineering (vehicle assembly at Algiers) electronics (Sidi Bel Abbès) and food industries are also relevant.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
natural gas | 81 456.4 | M m³ | 2020 |
oil, crude | 55 981.6 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
iron ore | 777 | 1000 t | 2019 |
zinc | 1$ | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barite | 40$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
bentonite | 36$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
diatomite | 3$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
kaolin | 100 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
gold | 286 | kg | 2018 |
silver | 50$ | kg | 2018 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 71 327.2 | M kWh | 2018 |
- other renew. | 626 | M kWh | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 20 480 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 458 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 72 057.03 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 21 208 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
coke, metall. | 350 | 1000 t | 2013 |
lead | 9$ | 1000 t | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bikes | 700 | no. | 2018 |
cars | 754 | no. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
air conditioners | 42 300 | no. | 2018 |
fridges | 18 500 | no. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bitumen | 115 | 1000 t | 2018 |
petrol | 5 673.2 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ammonia | 2 200 | 1000 t | 2020 |
caustic soda | 0.7 | 1000 t | 2012 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cotton fabrics - m | 3.6 | M m | 2018 |
cotton yarn | 2.1 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 396 800 | pairs | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 160 | 1000 t | 2018 |
fish, preserved | 4.2 | 1000 t | 2003 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cigarettes - t | 9.2 | 1000 t | 2017 |
tobacco | 4 571.7 | t | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
newsprint | 2$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
other paper | 44.5 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 31 100 | 1000 t | 2018 |
sheet glass | 10$ | 1000 m² | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 724.561 | M US$ | 2017 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 4 286.64 | M US$ | 2017 |
Trade
Tertiary sector
Foreign trade.
Hydrocarbons account for more than 90% of exports.
Main exports
(M US$ - 2017)
crude oil and petroleum products 19 731, natural gas 14 074, chemicals 442, fertilizers 327, sugar and derived products 228, phosphates 55, dates 52, washing machines and appliances 42, glass 31
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fuels | 96.112 | % of goods exports | 2017 |
manufactures | 2.671 | % of goods exports | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Italy | 5 629 | M US$ | 2017 |
France | 4 431 | M US$ | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
China | 8 318 | M US$ | 2017 |
France | 4 298 | M US$ | 2017 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 668 | M US$ | 2019 |
Number of arrivals | 2 371 000 | units | 2019 |
Communications
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 44 300 000 | km flown | 2004 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 6 748.7 | 1000 units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 83.217 | per 1000 pop. | 2019 |
Computers | 10.7 | per 1000 pop. | 2005 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 14.4 | years | 2011 |
Graduates | 330 434 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 4 429 994 | units | 2018 |
Students, secondary level | 4 572 513 | units | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 1.9 | per 1000 pop. | 2015 |
Physicians | 1.72 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | -0.1 | % of adults | 2019 |
Malaria | 1 014 | cases | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 0.543 | % of GDP | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 99.3 | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 99.5 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clothing, footwear | 8.1 | % | 2011 |
education, culture, recreation | 3.2 | % | 2011 |