Key Figures On Algeria

• Territory:

With its total territory covering an area of 2.382 million square kilometers, Algeria is the second largest country in Africa, after Sudan. Worldwide, Algeria is the tenth largest country. Moreover, Algeria is one third the size of the U.S.A. Its Mediterranean cost line is 1,200 kilometers long.

• Population:

Current population (as of 1995)is estimated at 28 million and at growth rate of 2.18% per year, it is expected to reach 33 million in year 2000 and 65 in 2020. 75% are under 30 year-old, 50% are under 20 year-old.

• Education:
• G.D.P:

With its G.D.P. of $43 billion, Algeria is the second largest economy in Africa after South Africa. (As of 1996)

• Economic Growth:

In 1995, Algeria's G.D.P increased by 4.3% and is estimated to have reached 5.2% in 1996.

• Economic Activities:

By economic activitiy, Algeria's G.D.P consists of 30% of hydrocarbons, 24% of services, 13% of administration, 12% of agriculture, 11% of construction and public works, and 10% of industry.

• Budget Deficit:

Budget deficit of Algeria was reduced to the level of 1.4% in 1995 from 16.3% in 1993.

• Inflation Rate:

Inflation rate continues its downtrend in 1996 to reach 18% from 30% in 1994.

• Financial Situation:

Excluding gold, the foreign exchange reserves of Algeria amount for around $4 billion, the equivalent of nearly 5 months of imports. External debt stands at $33 billion in 1996 while its service accounts for $5.7 billion.

• Hydrocarbons Reserves:

Algeria's estimated gas reserves are the fifth largest in the world. While its oil reserves are estimated to be the fourteenth largest in the world.

• Electricity:

The electrification rate of Algeria is at a current level of 95% which is among the highest in the developing world.

• Mining:

At present, only 15% of the estimated 1.5 million square kilometers of Algeria's mineral domain is explored. This sector contribution to the G.D.P is currently marginal. Mineral found in substantial quantities in Algeria are gold, silver, iron ore, diamonds, zinc, lead, fluorite, barite, cobalt, baritone, niobium, wolfram, potash and phosphates. Algeria's estimated uranium reserves are the tenth largest in the world.

• Trade:

In 1995, Algeria's total exports of goods & services were close to $11 billion, an increase of 14% more than in 1994. The proportion of the hydrocarbons sector was 95%. For the same year, the imports stood at $10.2 billion an increase of 9.5%. The main trading partners of Algeria remain the European Union with 65% of total exports & 60% of total imports of Algeria. The U.S.A, while leading North American Countries, get 21% of the Algerian exports &amp only 13% of the imports. Therefore, Algeria is looking for diversifying further its foreign trade particularly by intensifying its exchanges with countries of North America.

• Agriculture:

For being neglected for a while, this sector accounts no more than 12% of Algeria's G.D.P. From a net exporter of high quality agricultural products such as cereals & a variety of fruits & a range of wine, Algeria is now importing more than 2.5 billion of food which account for 25% of its total imports. Tremendous efforts are being made by the Government to reverse this curve by granting many incentives. Intersted companies including foreign firms, will be allocated land for exploitation.

• Construction:

This sector accounts for 11% of Algeria's G.D.P employing 9% of the labor force. Housing alone carries a deficit of over 1.2 million units which compounded with the demographic growth, will require construction of 50,000 homes annually for the next 25 years. This explains the reason for being made the top priority sector of the Government. In addition, local firms forforeign partnership to takle the multiple infrastructure projects such as roads, airports & dams.

• Industry:

In 30 years of its independence, Algeria has succeeded in developping a huge infrastructure in heavy industry to boost its industrialisation. As a result of this policy, Algeria has a various heavy industry ranging from production of agricultural equipment & vehicles to steel works. However, this highly capital intensive infrastructure is operating at a very low capacity. At present, increasing productivity & improving performance are the main objective in Algeria & privatization is expected to play a key role in the process of rationalizing the whole industrial sector. In addition, construction-related industries such as cement, briks, electrical products and wood are expected to grow more rapidely to meet the need of the construction sector. Although few companies are internationally competitive, the manufacturing sector in Algeria is well-established & diverse accounting for 10% of G.D.P. & employing 23% of the labor force. The result of the rationalization & the privatization of the industrial sector is expected to boost the non-hydrocarbons exports of Algeria for the coming years.

• Telecommunications:

Though being a vast country, Algeria has made telephone service available in all parts of the country &amp relies on saellite communications. In addition to a mobile telephone system, a public data communications network, & a maritime radio service, telegraph, fax, telex, SWIFT and the Internet ,are available. Algeria is now modernizing & expanding its telecommunication network. Since 1986, all new installations used digital technology.

• Transports:

Since 1970, Algeria devoted significant resources to expanding & modernizing the transport sector.

• Road Transport: An ambitious road building program was launched at that period, which gave Algeria an extensive main highway &amp secondary road system. The country's road network system consists of 100,000 kilometers, of which 26,000 are trunk roads & highways, 20,000 are either regional or provincial roads. However, this sector accounts for only 6% of total goods traffic. Option for private sector financing for transport infrastructure, is currently under scrutiny of the Government. It is expected to build an east-west freeway across the width of the country linking the major cities across the Northern part of Algeria.
• Railways Transport: The railway network of Algeria covers mainly the North part of the country. It consists of 4,300 kilometers of tracks, of which almost 3,500 kilometers are of standard gauge, and the rest of narrow gauge. The sector accounts for only 17% of total goods traffic. It is in the expectations of the Government to extend the existing network, &amp to improve the trans-Maghreb line connecting the three northern countries. More ambitious, a project is under consideration to develop the railway to link the east-west across the width of the country & to link the southern parts of Algeria. This project is estimated at $3.2 billion and will create 40,000 jobs.
• Shipping: With its geographical position and its 12 main ports among the 26 the country account, Algeria is best located for maritime trade with many Mediterranean countries. Some of these countries are within reach in only one day from Algerian International ports such as Algiers, Annaba, Oran or Skikda. These only ports have a capacity for 4 million passengers and over 23 million tons of freight per year. Algeria maritime capacity averages 18 million tons. Arzew and Skikda are the two major ports being terminals for pipelines from oil and gas fields in the South of the Country. Every year, more than 7,000 ships berthes at Algerian ports. Algiers, Annaba and Oran among the largest ports of Algeria are being equipped with container handling installations. 90% of the foreign trade is shipped.
• Air Transport: