Macroscope
All countries

Algeria

Africa

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Algeria, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
46.2M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Births
906k
births per year, 2023
Total fertility rate
2.77
children per woman, 2023
Internet users
77.4
% of population, 2024
Mobile cellular subscriptions
115.5
per 100 people, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
15,883
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Urban population
75.8
% of population, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 7.32 in 1950 → 2.77 in 2023 (−62%). Peak: 7.71 in 1967; the latest value is 64% lower. The trend broke around 1977 and 1999: +0.01 → −0.23 → +0.02 a year.
  • Births: 456k in 1950 → 906k in 2023 (+99%). Peak: 1.04M in 2017; the latest value is 13% lower. The trend broke around 1986 and 1999: +11k → −17.1k → +19.5k a year.
  • Population: 9.02M in 1950 → 46.2M in 2023 (×5.1). The trend broke around 1971: change sped up (+225k → +582k a year).
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 77.4% in 2024 (+77 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 2008, above 50% since 2019. Fastest growth in 2012–2017: 18.2% → 47.7%.
  • Urban share: 31.3% in 1960 → 75.8% in 2025 (+44 pp). Thresholds: above 50% since 1988, above 75% since 2024. The trend broke around 1979: change sped up (+0.43 → +0.83 a year).
  • GDP per person (PPP): 11,729 PPP dollars in 1990 → 15,883 PPP dollars in 2025 (+35%). Low: 10,414 PPP dollars in 1994; +53% since then. The trend broke around 1996 and 2008: −202 → +345 → +54 a year.
  • GDP growth: on average 2.3% in the 1980s, 1.5% in the 1990s, 3.8% in the 2000s, 2.8% in the 2010s, 2.0% in the 2020s. Lowest: −5.4% in 1980; highest: 6.5% in 2003.
  • Inflation: on average 9.0% in the 1980s, 17.8% in the 1990s, 3.2% in the 2000s, 4.6% in the 2010s, 6.5% in the 2020s. Lowest: 0.3% in 2000; highest: 31.7% in 1992.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1985–1995: 6.04 → 3.49. Over the same years: births 840k → 699k; population 22M → 28.5M; internet 0% (1995); urban share 47.9% → 56%; GDP per person (PPP) 10,588 PPP dollars (1995); GDP growth 5.6% → 3.8%; inflation 10.4% → 29.8%.
  • Over the last 10 years (2013–2023): fertility (TFR) 3.00 → 2.77; births 981k → 906k; population 38.4M → 46.2M; internet 22.5% → 76.2%; urban share 68.9% → 74.7%; GDP per person (PPP) 14,778 PPP dollars → 15,159 PPP dollars; GDP growth 2.6% → 4.1%; inflation 3.3% → 9.3%.

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2023, 31 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.01); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.03).
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2023, 64 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.94); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.13). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2023, 34 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.37); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.22).

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 1 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 10; median gap +41%.
  • The UN 2012 projection expected this level (2.77) already around 2013: reality is 10 years behind it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (2.77, 2023) only around 2024: reality is 1 year ahead of it.
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 2.00 (−28% vs 2023), 2100 — 1.78 (−36% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 1.28.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 0 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 11; median gap +40%.
  • The UN 2012 projection expected this level (906k) already around 2016: reality is 7 years behind it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected this level (906k) already around 2022: reality is 1 year behind it.
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 859k (−5% vs 2023), 2100 — 598k (−34% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 242k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 0 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 12; median gap +6.5%.
  • The UN 1998 projection expected today's level (46.2M, 2023) only around 2025: reality is 2 years ahead of it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (46.2M, 2023) only around 2024: reality is 1 year ahead of it.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 59.6M (+29% vs 2023), 2100 — 64.5M (+40% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 45M.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (34 editions, 2007–2023). On average the outcome was 0.9 pp below the forecast; below it in 56% of cases; typical error ±1.6 pp. The biggest miss was for 2020: IMF, October 2019 expected 2.4%, the outcome was −5%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2025 — 3.8%, 2027 — 2.9%, 2031 — 2.6%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (34 editions, 2007–2023). On average the outcome was 0.2 pp above the forecast; below it in 44% of cases; typical error ±2 pp. The biggest miss was for 2019: IMF, April 2018 expected 7.6%, the outcome was 2%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2025 — 1.4%, 2027 — 3%, 2031 — 3.3%.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Algeria: PopulationActual 2023: 46.2M20M30M40M50M60M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years45.5M46.2M+1.5%
UN 2000202323 years41.8M46.2M+10.4%
UN 2002202321 years41.7M46.2M+10.7%
UN 2004202319 years42M46.2M+9.9%
UN 2006202317 years42M46.2M+9.9%
UN 2008202315 years42M46.2M+9.8%
UN 2010202313 years41.3M46.2M+11.7%
UN 2012202311 years45.5M46.2M+1.5%
UN 201520238 years44.8M46.2M+3.1%
UN 201720236 years45.2M46.2M+2.2%
UN 201920234 years46.1M46.2M+0.2%
UN 202220231 year45.6M46.2M+1.2%

Births

births per year
Algeria: BirthsActual 2023: 906k400k600k800k1M1.2M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years746k1.03M+37.4%
UN 20002015–202018 years698k1.03M+47%
UN 20022015–202016 years691k1.03M+48.5%
UN 20042015–202014 years733k1.03M+39.9%
UN 20062015–202012 years731k1.03M+40.2%
UN 20082015–202010 years731k1.03M+40.2%
UN 20102015–20208 years666k1.03M+54%
UN 20122015–20206 years900k1.03M+13.9%
UN 20152015–20202 years888k1.03M+15.5%
UN 20172015–20200 years900k1.03M+13.9%
UN 202220231 year895k906k+1.2%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Algeria: Total fertility rateActual 2023: 2.771234519902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years2.103.04+44.9%
UN 20002015–202018 years2.103.04+44.9%
UN 20022015–202016 years2.083.04+46.3%
UN 20042015–202014 years2.173.04+40.5%
UN 20062015–202012 years2.163.04+40.7%
UN 20082015–202010 years2.163.04+40.7%
UN 20102015–20208 years1.963.04+55.1%
UN 20122015–20206 years2.553.04+19.6%
UN 20152015–20202 years2.623.04+16.2%
UN 20172015–20200 years2.653.04+14.8%
UN 202220231 year2.772.770%

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Algeria: Real GDP growthActual 2024: 3.7−10−505102000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth34−0.9 pp1.6 pp56%
Inflation34+0.2 pp2 pp44%
Unemployment rate17+0.2 pp1 pp47%
Government gross debt24−3 pp7.4 pp71%

All indicators

Demography

Population

46.2M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Algeria: Population1950: 9.02M; 2023: 46.2M020M40M60M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Births

906k births per year latest value, 2023

Algeria: Births1950: 456k; 2023: 906k0500k1M1.5M19501975200020252050

Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Total fertility rate

2.77 children per woman latest value, 2023

Algeria: Total fertility rate1950: 7.32; 2023: 2.770.002.004.006.008.0019501975200020252050

Average number of children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, women

77.7 years latest value, 2023

Algeria: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 43.5; 2023: 77.702040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

74.9 years latest value, 2023

Algeria: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 42; 2023: 74.902040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

28.2 years latest value, 2023

Algeria: Median age1950: 18.4; 2023: 28.201020304019501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

31.5 years latest value, 2023

Algeria: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 30.2; 2023: 31.501020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

104.6 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Algeria: Sex ratio at birth1950: 104.7; 2023: 104.605010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration

−26k persons per year latest value, 2023

Algeria: Net migration1950: −1.21k; 2023: −26k−200k0200k400k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Old-age dependency

10.4 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Algeria: Old-age dependency1950: 7.7; 2020: 10.4010203019501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Digitalisation

Internet users

77.4 % of population latest value, 2024

Algeria: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 77.40204060801990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

115.5 per 100 people latest value, 2024

Algeria: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2024: 115.50501001501960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

13.3 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2024

Algeria: Fixed broadband subscriptions2003: 0.1; 2024: 13.30510152005201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

15,883 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Algeria: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 11,729; 2025: 15,88305,00010,00015,00020,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

3.7 % per year latest value, 2024

Algeria: Real GDP growth1980: −5.4; 2024: 3.70246819801990200020102020

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

4 % per year, average latest value, 2024

Algeria: Inflation1980: 9.7; 2024: 401020304019801990200020102020

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

48.1 % of GDP latest value, 2024

Algeria: Government gross debt1991: 86.1; 2024: 48.1050100150199520002005201020152020

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment rate

11.4 % of labour force latest value, 2019

Algeria: Unemployment rate1980: 15.8; 2019: 11.401020301980199020002010

Unemployed as a share of the labour force (IMF WEO; national definitions).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

GDP per capita, US dollars

5,772 current US dollars latest value, 2024

Algeria: GDP per capita, US dollars1980: 2,462; 2024: 5,77202,0004,0006,0008,00019801990200020102020

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Society

Urban population

75.8 % of population latest value, 2025

Algeria: Urban population1960: 31.3; 2025: 75.80204060801960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

66.1 % gross latest value, 2024

Algeria: Tertiary enrolment, women2004: 20; 2024: 66.10204060802005201020152020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

24.8 % of women 25+ latest value, 2019

Algeria: Women with upper secondary education1971: 0.1; 2019: 24.805101520251980199020002010

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

76.5 years latest value, 2024

Algeria: Life expectancy at birth1960: 40.8; 2024: 76.50204060801960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Same region: Africa