Algeria became independent from France in 1962 and has since been ruled by the National Liberation Front (FLN). Throughout the years, discontent toward the FLN grew and the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) won the first round of elections in 1991. Perceiving the FIS as an extremist organization that wanted to take power, the government exercised its military influence and delayed the second elections. In 2004, Abdelaziz Bouteflika was reelected into office, after his 1999 win through pseudo-elections, and he has been struggling with the same kind of problems such as unemployment and limited housing. In 2006, the country offered amnesty to Islamic militants, who have not committed rape, bombings or massacres, provided that they surrender, but not many accepted.
Capital City:
Algiers (+1 GMT)
Chief of State:
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Head of Govt.:
Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia
Currency:
Algerian dinar
Main Cities:
Oran, Constantine, Annaba
Major Languages:
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Calling Code:
213
Voltage:
230
Primary Religions:
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Main Airports
Algiers (ALG) (Houari Boumediène), Annaba (AAE) (Les Salines), Oran (ORN) (Es Senia)
U.S. Embassy
4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers
tel. 213 (21) 691255
Key Facts
-
GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
-
$6,900 (2008 est.)
-
Inflation Rate
-
4.5% (2008 est.)
-
Population
-
34,178,188 (July 2009 est.)
-
Country Risk Ratings
-
A4
-
Ease of Doing Business
-
132/181
-
Global Competitiveness
-
3.71/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 9.464 million (2008 est.)
- Exports:
- $78.23 billion (2008 est.)
- Exports - partners:
- US 23.9%, Italy 14.9%, Spain 11.1%, Canada 9.6%, France 8.6%, Netherlands 4.5% (2008)
- Imports:
- $39.16 billion (2008 est.)
- Imports - partners:
- France 19.8%, Italy 10.9%, China 9%, Spain 7.6%, Germany 5.4% (2008)
- Major Industries:
- petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Rankings
Corruption Perceptions Index
3.2
out of 180
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
Transparency International
E-readiness Rankings
3.61
out of 70
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
EIU
Freedom of the Press
62
out of 194
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
Freedom House
Global Enabling Trade Report
3.04
out of 118
The Global Enabling Trade Report is published yearly by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Enabling Trade Report analyzes which countries around the world enable trade from country to destination by measuring market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure, and the business environment. The highest ranked countries have the best factors, policies, and services facilitating the free flow of goods across borders.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
World Economic Forum
Index of Economic Freedom
55.7
out of 155
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
Heritage Foundation
Inward FDI Potential Index
0.194
out of 140
The Inward FDI Potential Index is reported every three years by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organization that promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Inward FDI Potential Index uses several economic factors that are expected to affect an economy’s attractiveness to foreign investors. The higher ranked countries are more attractive to investors. Index units, 0=low scoring country, 1=high scoring country.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2006
The Globalization Index
70
out of 72
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Foreign Policy
