Population Distribution
As of 2023, the latest population of Algeria is 44,373,362, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).
| Total population | 44,373,362 |
| Population growth rate | 1.52% |
| Birth rate | 22.20 births per 1,000 people |
| Life expectancy | |
| Overall life expectancy | 76.18 years |
| Men life expectancy | 74.95 years |
| Women life expectancy | 77.47 years |
| Age structure | |
| 0-14 years | 29.49% |
| 15-64 years | 64.70% |
| 65 years and above | 5.81% |
| Median age | 27.50 years |
| Gender ratio (Male to Female) | 1.03 |
| Population density | 18.04 residents per km² |
| Urbanization | 58.80% |
| Ethnicities | |
| 70% Arabs, 30% Berbers (Tamazight, Kabylen, etc.); French minority | |
| Religions | |
| Sunni (state religion) 99%, Christians and Jews 1% | |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.759 |
| HDI ranking | 82th out of 194 |
People in Algeria
Around 42 million people live in Algeria. The vast majority live in the north of the country. Only there are bigger cities to be found. A total of 73 percent of the population live in a city, 27 percent in rural areas.
On average, every woman has 2.6 children. The population is no longer growing as fast as it used to be, but it is still growing. As a result, there is also a lack of jobs, for example. Many young Algerians emigrate, especially to the country of the former colonial power France.
Arabs and Berbers
The majority of Algerians describe themselves as Arabs (70 percent). 30 percent belong to a Berber tribe. But almost all Algerians have Berber roots, because they were the original population here. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the Arabs then advanced west and Islamized north-west Africa. In addition to their religion, they also brought their language and culture with them. Many Berbers were Arabized in this way.
Meanwhile, however, Arabs and Berbers also mix. However, there are also Berber tribes who fight to preserve their culture. It was a success for her that her Tamazight language was recognized as the official language in Algeria in 2002.
The largest Berber tribe in Algeria are the Tuareg. You live in the Sahara. Some still lead the life of nomadic shepherds, but others have also settled down like the other Berber tribes.
The Kabyls live in Kabylia in the northeast. Other Berber tribes in Algeria are the Saharaberber, the Shawia and the Chenoua. The map shows you where they live in Algeria.
Languages in Algeria
Algeria has two official languages: Arabic and, since 2002, Tamazight, a Berber language. Many Algerians also speak French. Through the colonial era, it has been preserved as a language in trade and education.
Arabic is written in Arabic script. You read them from right to left. Berber languages can be written in Arabic script, in Latin letters or in Tifinagh, which is the script of the Tuareg (a Berber tribe in the Sahara).
Religions in Algeria
Today 99 percent of Algerians profess Islam.
Algeria Overview
Algeria, the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, is situated in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the vast Sahara Desert to the south. Renowned for its diverse landscapes, Algeria boasts stunning coastlines, rugged mountains like the Atlas range, and expansive desert terrain. Rich in history and culture, it is famed for its UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the ancient Roman ruins of Timgad and the medieval city of Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad. Algeria’s vibrant cities, like the capital Algiers, reflect a blend of French colonial architecture and Islamic heritage, offering a fascinating glimpse into its past and present.
- Capital City: Algiers
- Population: Approximately 44 million
- Area: 2,381,741 square kilometers
- Full Country Name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
- Currency: Algerian Dinar (DZD)
- Language: Arabic, Berber
- ISO Country Codes: DZ, DZA
Bordering Countries of Algeria
Algeria is a North African country located on the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Mali and Niger to the south, Morocco and Western Sahara to the west, and Mauritania to the northwest. It is the largest country in Africa by land mass. Algeria has a total land border of 4,534 km with its neighboring countries.
Tunisia borders Algeria to the northeast with a total land border length of 965 km; this region has been an important cultural hub throughout history due to its strategic location at the crossroads between Europe and Africa. Libya borders Algeria to the east with a total land border length of 1,034 km; this region has seen much conflict in recent years due to its strategic importance for control of oil reserves in North Africa. Mali and Niger border Algeria to the south with a total combined land border length of 2,020 km; these two countries are home to many different cultures as well as vast deserts which have been an important trading route since ancient times. Morocco borders Algeria on two sides, northwest and west with a combined total land border length of 1,559 km; this region is known for its beautiful landscapes as well as its strong cultural links between North Africa and Spain due to centuries of Moorish rule. Finally, Mauritania borders Algeria on one side northwest with a total land border length of 976 km; this region has seen much recent conflict due to disputes over resources such as water which are crucial for both countries’ economies.