Economy Overview
Angola's high growth rate in recent years was driven by high international prices for its oil. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day (bbl/day), somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl/day Angola's government had wanted. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Diamond exports contribute an additional 5%. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food is still imported. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2008. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Land mines left from the war still mar the countryside, even though peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Since 2005, the government has used billions of dollars in credit lines from China, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure. The global recession temporarily stalled economic growth. Lower prices for oil and diamonds during the global recession led to a contraction in GDP in 2009, and many construction projects stopped because Luanda accrued $9 billion in arrears to foreign construction companies when government revenue fell in 2008 and 2009. Angola abandoned its currency peg in 2009, and in November 2009 signed onto an IMF Stand-By Arrangement loan of $1.4 billion to rebuild international reserves. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 14% in 2010, Luanda has been unable to reduce inflation below 10%. The Angolan kwanza depreciated again in mid 2010, which, along with higher oil prices, should boost economic growth in all sectors. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, also is a major challenge.
Agriculture Products
bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Industries
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
Industrial Production Growth Rate
5% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 63
Labor Force
7.977 million (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity production
3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity Consumption
3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity Exports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity Imports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
40.5% (2006 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 0.6%
Highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)
Public Debt
20.3% of GDP (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 109 21.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
30% (31 December 2009)country comparison to the world: 12 19.57% (31 December 2008)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$8.74 billion (31 December 2010 est)country comparison to the world: 74 $9.792 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of Broad Money
$24.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 77 $29.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$17.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 83 $22.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$16.89 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 43 $13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt External
$17.98 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 75 $13.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$91.55 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 34 $79.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
$4.883 billion (31 December 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 60 $3.933 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange Rates
kwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 92.08 (2010), 79.328 (2009), 75.023 (2008), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006)
