Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has largely dominated politics since. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. Fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence from 1992-98, resulting in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election widely viewed as fraudulent. He was reelected to a second term in 2004 and overwhelmingly won a third term in 2009, after the government amended the constitution in 2008 to remove presidential term limits. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA, including large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing activities of extremist militants. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in 2006 merged with al-Qa'ida to form al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, which has launched an ongoing series of kidnappings and bombings targeting the Algerian Government and Western interests. The government in 2011 introduced some political reforms in response to the Arab Spring, including lifting the 19-year-old state of emergency restrictions and increasing women's quotas for elected assemblies. Parliamentary elections in May 2012 and municipal and provincial elections in November 2012 saw continued dominance by the FLN, with Islamist opposition parties performing poorly. Political protest activity in the country remained low in 2012, but small, sometimes violent socioeconomic demonstrations by disparate groups continued to be a common occurrence. Parliament in 2013 is expected to revise the constitution.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,381,741 sq km
country comparison to the world: 10
land: 2,381,741 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
998 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m
highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 3.15%
permanent crops: 0.38%
other: 96.46% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,694 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.67 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.72 cu km/yr (26%/16%/58%)
per capita: 182 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
largest country in Africa
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Algerian(s)
adjective: Algerian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
note: although almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab), only a minority identify themselves as Berber, about 15% of the total population; these people live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects: Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38,087,812 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 28.1% (male 5,470,088/female 5,216,139)
15-24 years: 18.1% (male 3,536,416/female 3,371,819)
25-54 years: 42.7% (male 8,213,802/female 8,035,509)
55-64 years: 6% (male 1,172,528/female 1,128,015)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 890,312/female 1,053,184) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 47.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 41.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.8 %
potential support ratio: 14.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 27 years
male: 26.7 years
female: 27.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.25 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 73% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ALGIERS (capital) 2.916 million; Oran 770,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 76
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22.57 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 82
male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.18 years
country comparison to the world: 82
male: 74.95 years
female: 77.47 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.78 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61.4% (2006)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 166
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.21 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2004)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 116
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 99
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.3% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 72.6%
male: 81.3%
female: 63.9% (2006 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 304,358
percentage: 5 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.5%
country comparison to the world: 54
male: 18.7%
female: 37.5% (2010)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
conventional short form: Algeria
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah
local short form: Al Jaza'ir
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Algiers
geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
adopted 8 September 1963; amended several times, last in 2008 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials including several Supreme Court justices
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abdelmalek SELLAL (since 3 September 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 9 April 2009 (next to be held in April 2014)
election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 90.2%, Louisa HANOUNE 4.2%, Moussa TOUATI 2.3%, Djahid YOUNSI 1.4%, Ali Fawzi REBAINE less than 1%, Mohamed SAID less than 1%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Nation (upper house; 144 seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds elected by indirect vote to serve six-year terms; the constitution requires half the Council to be renewed every three years) and the National People's Assembly (lower house; 462 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Council of the Nation - last held on 29 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2017); National People's Assembly - last held on 10 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: Council of the Nation election of 29 December 2009 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National People's Assembly election of 10 May 2012 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 221, RND 70, AAV 47, FFS 21, PT 17, FNA 9, El Adala 7, MPA 6, PFJ 5, FC 4, PNSD 4, other 32, independents 19
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 150 judges organized into four divisions: civil and commercial; social security and labor; criminal; and administrative; Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members including the court president)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of Magistracy, an administrative body presided over by the president of the republic, and includes the republic vice-president and several members; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members - 3 appointed by the president of the republic, 2 each by the two houses of the Parliament, 1 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Council of State; Council president and members appointed for single 6-year terms with half of the membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: appellate or wilaya courts; first instance or daira tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Algerian National Front or FNA; Algerian Popular Movement or MPA; Front for Change or FC; Front for Justice and Development or El Adala; Green Algeria Alliance or AAV (includes Movement for National Reform, Islamic Renaissance Movement, and Movement of the Society of Peace or Hamas); Movement of the Society of Peace or MSP [Boudjerra SOLTANI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general]; National Party for Solidarity and Development or PNSD; National Reform Movement or Islah [Ahmed ABDESLAM] (see Green Algeria Alliance); New Dawn Party or PFJ; Oath of 54 or Ahd 54 [Ali Fawzi REBAINE]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SADI]; Islamic Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Hocine AIT AHMED]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE]
note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Mostefa BOUCHACHI]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah BAALI (since 5 November 2008)
chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800
FAX: [1] (202) 986-5906
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Henry S. ENSHER (since July 2011)
embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16030 Algiers
mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers
telephone: [213] 770-08-2000
FAX: [213] 770-08-2064
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because the Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
star and crescent; fennec fox
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Kassaman" (We Pledge)
lyrics/music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI
note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy. Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the sixth-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in oil reserves. Strong revenues from hydrocarbon exports have brought Algeria relative macroeconomic stability, with foreign currency reserves approaching $200 billion and a large budget stabilization fund available for tapping. In addition, Algeria's external debt is extremely low at about 2% of GDP. However, Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. The government's efforts have done little to reduce high youth unemployment rates or to address housing shortages. A wave of economic protests in February and March 2011 prompted the Algerian Government to offer more than $23 billion in public grants and retroactive salary and benefit increases, moves which continue to weigh on public finances. Long-term economic challenges include diversifying the economy away from its reliance on hydrocarbon exports, bolstering the private sector, attracting foreign investment, and providing adequate jobs for younger Algerians.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$272.5 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$206.5 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 32.9%
government consumption: 20.1%
investment in fixed capital: 31.4%
investment in inventories: 6.1%
exports of goods and services: 37.2%
imports of goods and services: -27.7%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 9.5%
industry: 61%
services: 29.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.05 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 14%
industry: 13.4%
construction and public works: 10%
trade: 14.6%
government: 32%
other: 16% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.3 (1995)
country comparison to the world: 87
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $82.69 billion
expenditures: $92.47 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
note: data cover central government debt; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$98.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$150 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-4.363 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.3 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$71.74 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Italy 16%, US 15%, Spain 10.9%, France 8.5%, Netherlands 7.3%, Canada 7.1%, UK 5.1%, Brazil 4.7% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$51.57 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 12.8%, China 11.8%, Italy 10.3%, Spain 8.6%, Germany 5.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$191.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.639 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$23.26 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.133 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.25 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
803 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
736 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.33 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.875 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.097 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 16
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
571,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
316,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
471,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17,270 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
82.76 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.82 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.02 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.504 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 10
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
117.2 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.2 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 49
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.692 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 32
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003
domestic: a limited network of fixed lines with a teledensity of less than 10 telephones per 100 persons has been offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; in 2011, mobile-cellular teledensity was roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-run Radio-Television Algerienne operates the broadcast media and carries programming in Arabic, Berber dialects, and French; use of satellite dishes is widespread, providing easy access to European and Arab satellite stations; state-run radio operates several national networks and roughly 40 regional radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.dz
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
676 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 178
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.7 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
157 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 36
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 64
over 3,047 m: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 17
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 93
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
914 to 1,523 m: 39
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 2,600 km; gas 16,415 km; liquid petroleum gas 3,447 km; oil 7,036 km; refined products 144 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,973 km
country comparison to the world: 44
standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 113,655 km
country comparison to the world: 42
paved: 87,605 km (includes 645 km of expressways)
unpaved: 26,050 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 38
country comparison to the world: 77
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 11, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 15 (UK, 15) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
People's National Army (Armee Nationale Populaire, ANP), Land Forces (Forces Terrestres, FT), Navy of the Republic of Algeria (Marine de la Republique Algerienne, MRA), Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya, QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 19-30 years of age for compulsory service; conscript service obligation is 18 months (6 months basic training, 12 months civil projects) (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 10,273,129
females age 16-49: 10,114,552 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 8,622,897
females age 16-49: 8,626,222 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 342,895
female: 330,098 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.3% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 21
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Algeria and many other states reject Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; the Polisario Front, exiled in Algeria, represents the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the National Liberation Front's (FLN) assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf); 1,500 (Mali) (2013)
IDPs: undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2012)