Algeria

World Book Index

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 (2024 est.)

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 Sifi GHRIEB (since 28 August 2025)

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)
$722.912 billion (2024 est.)
$699.818 billion (2023 est.)
$672.256 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$15,400 (2024 est.)
$15,200 (2023 est.)
$14,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$59.426 billion (2023 est.)
$69.226 billion (2022 est.)
$41.846 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Italy 29%, France 14%, Spain 13%, USA 6%, Netherlands 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, fertilizers, iron bars (2023)

Imports
$51.131 billion (2023 est.)
$46.613 billion (2022 est.)
$44.287 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 24%, France 12%, Italy 8%, Turkey 7%, Brazil 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities
wheat, plastics, cars, milk, corn (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.763, ranking it 96th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 99th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.158. (more information)