Algeria

Algeria, officially the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, is the largest country in Africa, located in North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. Spanning an area of 2,381,740 square kilometres, Algeria encompasses vast stretches of the Sahara Desert, mountainous regions, and fertile coastal plains. With a population exceeding 47 million (2024), it occupies a central geopolitical position in the Maghreb region, characterised by rich hydrocarbon resources and a complex postcolonial legacy.

Historical Background

The territory of Algeria has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by rock art in Tassili n’Ajjer, which depicts human and animal life from the African Humid Period. It was later the homeland of the Numidian kingdoms (3rd century BCE) before falling under successive rule by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines.

The Arab conquest of the 7th century introduced Islam, Arabic language, and cultural traditions, though the Amazigh (Berber) peoples maintained distinct linguistic and cultural identities. In the 16th century, Algeria became part of the Ottoman Empire, with Algiers emerging as a significant centre for the Barbary corsairs, notorious for raiding European ships.

In 1830, France invaded Algeria, initiating a century-long period of colonial domination marked by expropriation, settler dominance, and violent repression. Resistance movements, most notably that of Emir Abdelkader, embodied the national struggle but were eventually suppressed.

The National Liberation Front (FLN) launched the War of Independence in 1954, which became one of the bloodiest decolonisation conflicts of the 20th century. After eight years of warfare and over a million deaths, Algeria attained independence on 5 July 1962. The FLN established a single-party socialist state, led initially by Ahmed Ben Bella and later by Houari Boumédiène, who pursued industrialisation and a policy of non-alignment in international affairs.

Political Development and Governance

For over two decades following independence, Algeria remained a one-party state dominated by the FLN. The 1988 mass protests marked a turning point, prompting constitutional reforms that introduced a multi-party system. The Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) gained significant popularity and won the 1991 legislative elections, but the military annulled the results, triggering a civil war (1992–1998) that claimed more than 100,000 lives.

Following the conflict, the FIS’s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, was disbanded in 2000. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, elected president in 1999, consolidated authority through multiple re-elections until his resignation in 2019 amid the mass Hirak Movement protests.

In December 2019, Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected president, introducing constitutional and electoral reforms aimed at combating corruption and enhancing governance. However, voter participation has remained historically low. The 2020 Constitution, effective from 2021, reaffirmed the presidential republic framework, limiting presidents to two five-year terms. The bicameral Parliament comprises the National People’s Assembly (407 seats) and the Council of the Nation (174 seats).

Although political pluralism exists, it is tempered by state control. The FLN, National Democratic Rally (RND), and Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) remain influential parties, joined by newer groups such as the El Binaa Movement and El Mostakbal Front. Following the removal of gender quotas in 2021, women’s parliamentary representation dropped to 7.9%.

Geography and Environment

Algeria’s geography is dominated by the Sahara Desert, which covers around 80% of the country. The population is concentrated along the northern coast, where fertile plains support agriculture. The Atlas Mountains act as a natural barrier between the coastal strip and the arid interior, while the Hoggar Mountains in the south rise to Mount Tahat (2,908 metres).

The climate varies from Mediterranean along the coast to arid desert inland, featuring extreme temperature differences. Seasonal sirocco winds bring hot, dusty conditions from the Sahara. Algeria’s rich natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, and uranium, making it one of Africa’s leading energy exporters.

Major environmental challenges include:

• Desertification and soil erosion
• Water scarcity, with renewable water resources of only 11.7 billion cubic metres
• Air pollution from industrial activity

The nation participates in global environmental accords such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Population and Society

With a population of 47 million (2024), Algeria has a median age of 29.1 years, making it one of the youngest societies in the Arab world. The urbanisation rate stands at 75.3%, with Algiers (2.9 million) and Oran (936,000) as major urban centres. Fertility has declined to 2.94 births per woman, and life expectancy has reached 77.9 years.

The population is overwhelmingly Arab-Amazigh (99%), though Amazigh identity remains culturally significant, particularly in Kabylie. Arabic and Tamazight are official languages, while French remains a key administrative and educational medium. Islam is the state religion, with Sunni Muslims forming the vast majority.

Education and health indicators continue to improve: literacy exceeds 80%, average school life expectancy is 15 years, and health expenditure represents 5.5% of GDP. Access to safe drinking water reaches 95%, and the infant mortality rate has declined to 18.7 per 1,000 births.

Despite progress, youth unemployment (29.8%), gender inequality, and regional disparities persist. Female literacy is 74.2%, and women account for less than 1% of tobacco users, compared to 41.6% of men.

Economy and Energy

Algeria’s economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbon exports, which account for over 95% of export revenues and around one-third of GDP. The real GDP (PPP) was estimated at $722.9 billion (2024), with growth of 3.3%, while the nominal GDP stood at $263.6 billion.

Key sectors include:

• Oil and gas – with proven reserves of 12.2 billion barrels of oil and 4.5 trillion cubic metres of natural gas.
• Agriculture, contributing 13% of GDP, producing potatoes, wheat, milk, tomatoes, and dates.
• Manufacturing and services, which remain underdeveloped but targeted for diversification.

Major trading partners include Italy, France, Spain, the United States, and the Netherlands. Exports reached $59.4 billion (2023), while imports totalled $51.1 billion.

Foreign reserves exceed $83 billion (2024), and public debt is relatively low at 27.5% of GDP. Inflation stabilised at 4% after earlier global price shocks.

Algeria’s energy infrastructure is extensive, achieving 100% electrification with 22.6 million kW installed capacity, mainly gas-powered (98%). Solar energy remains under 1%, though national strategies aim to expand renewables to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

Defence and Security

The Algerian People’s National Army (ANP), comprising about 200,000 active personnel, is among Africa’s largest and most capable forces. It includes Land, Naval, Air, Air Defence, and Republican Guard branches. Military expenditure accounts for 8% of GDP (2024), and conscription for men is compulsory for 12 months.

The ANP has historically influenced politics and remains central to counterterrorism, border security, and regional stability. Algeria maintains tense relations with Morocco due to its support for the Polisario Front in Western Sahara. Security operations continue against extremist groups such as al-Qa‘ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), largely confined to remote desert regions.

International Relations and Culture

Algeria is an active member of international organisations including the African Union (AU), Arab League, OPEC, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations. It serves as a major energy supplier to Europe, particularly through gas pipelines linking to Italy and Spain. Relations with Western nations are generally stable, though often shaped by debates on human rights and energy policy.

Culturally, Algeria represents a synthesis of Arab, Amazigh, and Mediterranean traditions. The national flag—green, white, and red with a crescent and star—symbolises Islam, peace, and liberty. The national anthem “Kassaman”, written by Mufdi Zakariah during imprisonment by French colonial forces, was adopted upon independence in 1962.

The nation’s rich heritage is reflected in seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Timgad, Djémila, Tipasa, the Casbah of Algiers, the M’zab Valley, and Tassili n’Ajjer, famed for prehistoric rock art. The fennec fox and crescent moon with star are enduring national emblems, symbolising both natural heritage and Islamic identity.

In the 21st century, Algeria continues to navigate a path between economic modernisation and political reform, striving to balance its revolutionary heritage with contemporary challenges such as youth unemployment, climate adaptation, and economic diversification beyond hydrocarbons. Its strategic position and energy capacity render it a crucial bridge linking Europe, Africa, and the Arab world.