An Introduction to Algeria
Officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, this is the largest country in Africa, the Arab world and the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Africa
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GOVERNMENT: republic
AREA: 2,381,741 sq km
POPULATION: 34,994,937 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Official Language: Arabic (de jure), French (de facto)
Some business and general info
The Market Research Industry
Trade and Industry in Algeria
Officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, this is the largest country in Africa, the Arab world and the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Having been ruled by - amongst others - the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Spanish and Barbary Pirates, Algeria was invaded by France in 1830 and spent 130 years under its aegis. After nearly a decade of revolt, terrorism and eventually civil war, Algeria gained its independence in 1962, but has struggled for much of the ensuing half century. Governments have been overthrown, corruption and repression widespread. In 1992 the President was assassinated, leading to the ten-year Algerian Civil War and more than 160,000 deaths.Algeria is now recovering and is developing into an emerging economy, with the new government using the high prices of oil and natural gas to improve the country's infrastructure, industry and agricultural land.
GDP: $251.1 billion (2010 est.) - $7,300 per capita (2010 est.)
Religions Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD) - GBP 1 = DZD 118
Telephone Code: +213
Research Industry
The MR industry in the Maghreb region (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) turned over $US 20m in 2009 - up from $17m and $19m in 2007 and 2008 respectively and representing net growth of 4.1%.Algeria is rich in fossil fuels, which account for 60% of budget revenue and over 95% of export earnings. The country has an estimated 11.8bn barrels of oil in petroleum reserves and 160tn cubic feet of natural gas. Sales from these industries have enabled it to all-but eliminate its debt, and it has accumulated large savings in the oil-stabilisation fund. However, government attempts to diversify the economy and attract foreign investment outside of th' energy sector have had little success, and there is still a high unemployment rate.
97% of a 2010 total of $57.19bn exports were made up of petrol (and petroleum products) and natural gas. 22.9% of these exports were sent to the USA, with other major partners including European countries and Canada. Imports valued at $38.38bn came largely from France, China and Italy and consisted principally of capital goods, consumer goods and foodstuffs.
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