2014 Edition

Background

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 2013, but small, sometimes violent socioeconomic demonstrations by disparate groups continued to be a common occurrence. Parliament in 2014 is expected to revise the constitution.

Area

2,381,741 sq km 2,381,741 sq km 0 sq km

total

2,381,741 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas

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

Coastline

998 km

Elevation extremes

Chott Melrhir -40 m Tahat 3,003 m

highest point

Tahat 3,003 m

lowest point

Chott Melrhir -40 m

Environment - current issues

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

5.72 cu km/yr (26%/16%/58%) 182 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

182 cu m/yr (2005)

total

5.72 cu km/yr (26%/16%/58%)

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 3 00 E

Geography - note

largest country in Africa

Irrigated land

5,694 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

6,734 km Libya 989 km, Mali 1,359 km, Mauritania 460 km, Morocco 1,900 km, Niger 951 km, Tunisia 1,034 km, Western Sahara 41 km

border countries

Libya 989 km, Mali 1,359 km, Mauritania 460 km, Morocco 1,900 km, Niger 951 km, Tunisia 1,034 km, Western Sahara 41 km

total

6,734 km

Land use

3.15% 0.38% 96.46% (2011)

arable land

3.15%

other

96.46% (2011)

permanent crops

0.38%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 32-52 nm

exclusive fishing zone

32-52 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Terrain

mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

Total renewable water resources

11.67 cu km (2011)

Age structure

28.4% (male 5,641,148/female 5,378,207) 17.4% (male 3,451,069/female 3,291,166) 42.8% (male 8,398,770/female 8,209,634) 6.2% (male 1,230,865/female 1,186,832) 5.2% (male 931,769/female 1,094,262) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

28.4% (male 5,641,148/female 5,378,207)

15-24 years

17.4% (male 3,451,069/female 3,291,166)

25-54 years

42.8% (male 8,398,770/female 8,209,634)

55-64 years

6.2% (male 1,230,865/female 1,186,832)

65 years and over

5.2% (male 931,769/female 1,094,262) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

23.99 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

304,358 5 % (2006 est.)

percentage

5 % (2006 est.)

total number

304,358

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.7% (2005)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.4% (2006)

Death rate

4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.5 % 41.6 % 6.8 % 14.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.8 %

potential support ratio

14.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.5 %

youth dependency ratio

41.6 %

Drinking water source

urban: 85.5% of population rural: 79.5% of population total: 83.9% of population urban: 14.5% of population rural: 20.5% of population total: 16.1% of population (2012 est.)

rural

20.5% of population

total

16.1% of population (2012 est.)

urban

14.5% of population

Education expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% 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

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2004)

Infant mortality rate

21.76 deaths/1,000 live births 23.54 deaths/1,000 live births 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

19.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

21.76 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects: Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)

Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber dialects

Kabylie Berber (Tamazight), Chaouia Berber (Tachawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)

Life expectancy at birth

76.39 years 75.12 years 77.72 years (2014 est.)

female

77.72 years (2014 est.)

total population

76.39 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 72.6% 81.3% 63.9% (2006 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

63.9% (2006 est.)

male

81.3%

total population

72.6%

Major urban areas - population

ALGIERS (capital) 2.916 million; Oran 783,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

97 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

27.3 years 27 years 27.5 years (2014 est.)

female

27.5 years (2014 est.)

male

27 years

total

27.3 years

Nationality

Algerian(s) Algerian

adjective

Algerian

noun

Algerian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16% (2008)

Physicians density

1.21 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

38,813,722 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.88% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian and Jewish)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.6% of population rural: 88.4% of population total: 95.2% of population urban: 2.4% of population rural: 11.6% of population total: 4.8% of population (2012 est.)

rural

11.6% of population

total

4.8% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 12 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

12 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

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

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.78 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

28.4% 19.1% 38.2% (2011)

female

38.2% (2011)

total

28.4%

Urbanization

73% of total population (2011) 2.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

48 provinces (wilayas, 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, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

Capital

Algiers 36 45 N, 3 03 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

36 45 N, 3 03 E

name

Algiers

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 8 September 1963; amended several times, last in 2008 (2013)

Country name

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Algeria Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah Al Jaza'ir

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Henry S. ENSHER (since July 2011) 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16030 Algiers B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers [213] 770-08-2000 [213] 770-08-2064

chief of mission

Ambassador Henry S. ENSHER (since July 2011)

embassy

05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, El-Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16030 Algiers

FAX

[213] 770-08-2064

mailing address

B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers

telephone

[213] 770-08-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Abdallah BAALI (since 5 November 2008) 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-2800 [1] (202) 986-5906 New York

chancery

2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Abdallah BAALI (since 5 November 2008)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 986-5906

telephone

[1] (202) 265-2800

Executive branch

President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999) Prime Minister Abdelmalek SELLAL (since 28 April 2014) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; note - on 5 May 2014, a new cabinet was announced president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 17 April 2014 (next to be held in April 2019) Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a fourth term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 81.5%, Ali BENFLIS 12.2%, Abdelaziz ELAID 3.4%, other 2.9%; voter turnout - 51.7%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; note - on 5 May 2014, a new cabinet was announced

election results

Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a fourth term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 81.5%, Ali BENFLIS 12.2%, Abdelaziz ELAID 3.4%, other 2.9%; voter turnout - 51.7%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 17 April 2014 (next to be held in April 2019)

head of government

Prime Minister Abdelmalek SELLAL (since 28 April 2014)

hief of state

President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)

Flag description

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

Government type

republic

Independence

5 July 1962 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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)

Judicial branch

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) note - Algeria's judicial system does not include sharia courts 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 appellate or wilaya courts; first instance or daira tribunals

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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) 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) 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

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

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)

National anthem

"Kassaman" (We Pledge) Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces

lyrics/music

Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI

name

"Kassaman" (We Pledge)

National holiday

Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent; fennec fox

Political parties and leaders

Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Algerian Popular Movement or MPA [Amara BENYOUNES]; Algerian Rally [Ali ZAGHDOUD]; Algeria's Hope Rally or TAJ [Amar GHOUL]; Dignity or El Karama [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Front for Change or FC [Abdelmadjid MENASRA]; Front for Justice and Development or El Adala [Abdallah DJABALLAH]; Future Front or El Mostakbel [Abdelaziz BELAID]; Green Algeria Alliance or AAV (includes Movement for National Reform, Islamic Renaissance Movement, and Movement of the Society of Peace or Hamas); Islamic Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Mohamed DHOUIBI]; Movement of the Society of Peace or MSP [Abderrazak MOKRI]; National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Bensalah ABDELKADER]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Amar SAIDANI]; National Party for Solidarity and Development or PNSD; National Reform Movement or Islah [Djahid YOUNSI] (see Green Algeria Alliance); New Dawn Party or PFJ; New Generation or Jil Jadid [Soufiane DJILALI]; New Light Party [Bedreddine BELBAZ]; Oath of 1954 or Ahd 54 [Ali Fawzi REBAINE]; Party of Justice and Liberty [Mohammed SAID]; Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Mohcine BELABBAS]; Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Mustafa BOUCHACHI]; Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Algerian Human Rights League or LADDH [Noureddine BENISSAD]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Youth Action Rally or RAJ

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle

Budget

$80.55 billion $85.58 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$85.58 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$80.55 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2010 est.) 4% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8% (31 December 2013 est.) 8% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$6.697 billion (2013 est.) $12.3 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$5.278 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $5.639 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

35.3 (1995)

Economy - overview

Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist postindependence 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.

Exchange rates

Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 78.77 (2013 est.) 77.536 (2012 est.) 74.386 (2010 est.) 72.65 (2009) 63.25 (2008)

Exports

$68.25 billion (2013 est.) $71.74 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%

Exports - partners

Italy 16%, US 15%, Spain 10.9%, France 8.5%, Netherlands 7.3%, Canada 7.1%, UK 5.1%, Brazil 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

33.7% 20.6% 32.9% 8.2% 33.3% -28.7% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

33.3%

government consumption

20.6%

household consumption

33.7%

imports of goods and services

-28.7%

investment in fixed capital

32.9%

investment in inventories

8.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.4% 62.6% 28% (2013 est.)

agriculture

9.4%

industry

62.6%

services

28% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,500 (2013 est.) $7,400 (2012 est.) $7,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (2013 est.) 3.3% (2012 est.) 2.6% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$215.7 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$284.7 billion (2013 est.) $276.2 billion (2012 est.) $267.4 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

45.5% of GDP (2013 est.) 44.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 47.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.8% 26.8% (1995)

highest 10%

26.8% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$55.02 billion (2013 est.) $51.57 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

France 12.8%, China 11.8%, Italy 10.3%, Spain 8.6%, Germany 5.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

2.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.9% (2013 est.) 8.9% (2012 est.)

Labor force

11.15 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14% 13.4% 10% 14.6% 32% 16% (2003 est.)

agriculture

14%

construction and public works

10%

government

32%

industry

13.4%

other

16% (2003 est.)

trade

14.6%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

23% (2006 est.)

Public debt

13.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 8.3% of GDP (2012 est.) data cover central government debt; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$192.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $191.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$140.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $141 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.433 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.133 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$25.02 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $23.26 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-4.337 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $-4.363 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$92.91 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $98.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

37.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.3% (2013 est.) 10.7% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

117.2 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.097 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

6,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.875 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

12.2 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

33.68 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

803 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

97.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

736 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

11.33 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

46.25 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

28.82 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

52.02 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

82.76 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

4.504 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

316,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

471,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

17,270 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

571,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.dz

Internet hosts

676 (2012)

Internet users

4.7 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 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 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)

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

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

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.2 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

37.692 million (2012)

Airports

157 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

17

2,438 to 3,047 m

29

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

12

total

64

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

34 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

18

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

39

total

93

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 11, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3 15 (UK, 15) (2010)

foreign-owned

15 (UK, 15) (2010)

total

38

Pipelines

condensate 2,600 km; gas 16,415 km; liquid petroleum gas 3,447 km; oil 7,036 km; refined products 144 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda Bethioua, Skikida

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Bethioua, Skikida

major seaport(s)

Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda

Railways

3,973 km 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified) 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2008)

total

3,973 km

Roadways

113,655 km 87,605 km (includes 645 km of expressways) 26,050 km (2010)

total

113,655 km

unpaved

26,050 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

10,273,129 10,114,552 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,114,552 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,273,129

Manpower fit for military service

8,622,897 8,626,222 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

8,626,222 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

8,622,897

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

342,895 330,098 (2010 est.)

female

330,098 (2010 est.)

male

342,895

Military branches

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 expenditures

4.48% of GDP (2012) 4.36% of GDP (2011) 4.48% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

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)

Disputes - international

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

90,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf); 1,500 (Mali) (2013) undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2012)

IDPs

undetermined (civil war during 1990s) (2012)

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)

Trafficking in persons

Algeria is a transit and, to a lesser extent, a destination and source country for women, and, to a lesser extent, men subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; criminal networks, which sometimes extend to sub-Saharan Africa and to Europe, are involved in both human smuggling and trafficking; sub-Saharan adults enter Algeria voluntarily but illegally, often with the aid of smugglers, for onward travel to Europe, but some of the women are forced into prostitution; some Algerian women are also forced into prostitution; some sub-Saharan men, mostly from Mali, are forced into domestic servitude Tier 3 - Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has not held any perpetrators of sex trafficking or forced labor accountable with jail time; some trafficking victims are treated as illegal migrants and are subject to arrest, detention, and deportation because authorities continue to confuse human trafficking and smuggling; the government has not developed or employed systematic procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them for protective services; no public awareness campaigns are conducted and no plan of action was developed to complement Algeria's anti-trafficking law (2013)

current situation

Algeria is a transit and, to a lesser extent, a destination and source country for women, and, to a lesser extent, men subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; criminal networks, which sometimes extend to sub-Saharan Africa and to Europe, are involved in both human smuggling and trafficking; sub-Saharan adults enter Algeria voluntarily but illegally, often with the aid of smugglers, for onward travel to Europe, but some of the women are forced into prostitution; some Algerian women are also forced into prostitution; some sub-Saharan men, mostly from Mali, are forced into domestic servitude

tier rating

Tier 3 - Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has not held any perpetrators of sex trafficking or forced labor accountable with jail time; some trafficking victims are treated as illegal migrants and are subject to arrest, detention, and deportation because authorities continue to confuse human trafficking and smuggling; the government has not developed or employed systematic procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them for protective services; no public awareness campaigns are conducted and no plan of action was developed to complement Algeria's anti-trafficking law (2013)