Economy Overview
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 18th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years, along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF, have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 10% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance.
Agriculture Products
wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
Industries
petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Industrial Production Growth Rate
10% (2006 est.)
Labor Force
9.31 million (2006 est.)
Electricity production
31.91 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity Consumption
27.52 billion kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity Exports
275 million kWh (2005 est.)
Electricity Imports
359 million kWh (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate
15.7% (2006 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
25% (2005 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 2.8%
Highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
35.3 (1995)
Budget
Revenues: $49.91 billion
Expenditures: $33.49 billion (2006 est.)
Public Debt
12.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$NA
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$78.21 billion (2006 est.)
Debt External
$4.413 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$14.37 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
$834 million (2006 est.)
Exchange Rates
Algerian dinars per US dollar - 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004), 77.395 (2003), 79.682 (2002)
