Algeria

Population (2017): 41,721,000 (National Statistical Office)
Population (2010): 35,978,000
Population (2000): 30,416,000

Largest cities, (inhabitants: 2008 census and 2018 estimates):

• Algiers (2008: 2,712,944 – recent metropolitan estimates: 5,000,000)
• Oran (2008: 1,165,687 – recent metropolitan estimates: 1,454,078)
• Setif (2008: 856,457 – recent metropolitan estimates: 288,461)
• Djelfa (2008: 825,411 – recent metropolitan estimates: 339,248)
• Batna (2008: 768,444 – recent metropolitan estimates:290,645)
• Blida (2008: 719,515 – recent metropolitan estimates: 1,167,882)
• Constantine (2008: 717,646 – recent metropolitan estimates: 938,475)
• Annaba: (2008: 442,230 – recent metropolitan estimates: 343,703)

Annual population growth (2017): 1.7%
Annual population growth (2011): 1.9%
Annual population growth (2000): 1.3%

Population data from the National Statistics Office of Algeria (national data), 2008 city data from UN Data (http://data.un.org), recent metropolitan estimates by https://www.worldatlas.com, annual population growth calculated based on data by www.worldpopulationreview.com

The backbone of Algeria’s economy is formed by the fossil fuels energy sector. This sector, accounts for approximately 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Recently, due to the oil price drop, the situation has changed. Algeria’s national oil company is the largest African company. The country has always been noted for the fertility of its soil. About 10.8% (UN, 2014) of its labour force is employed in the agricultural sector, which contributes 13.1% of the GDP (Worldbank, 2015).

In urban areas 83.6% of the population has access to proper water sources and 87.6% to proper sanitation (Worldbank, 2015). In 2016 Algeria generated 12.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (per person 0.7 kg/day in urban areas and 0.5 kg/day in rural areas) (Worldbank, 2018). The amount of waste is growing by 3% annually. Waste collection coverage in urban areas is between 85%-90% and in rural ones between 65%-70%. The final destination of collected waste is generally open-dumping (60-70%) and landfilling (30-40%) (GIZ, 2014 – Country report on Solid Waste Management in Algeria).

Algeria’s energy consumption in the road transport sector amounted to 40% its final energy consumption in 2016 (IEA Atlas of Energy) (2008: 41%; 2000: 37%), whereas energy consumption per capita according to worldbank data amounted to 1,321 kg of oil equivalent in 2014, against 1,069.2 kg in 2008 and 865.7 kg in 2000. After 2005, according to IEA Atlas of Energy, the contribution of the residential sector in the total energy consumption is declining (2000: 31%, 2005: 32%, 2010: 24%, 2016:27%). In line with the same database, the share of renewables in the overall electricity generation remains really low (around 1% in the period 2006 – 2013).

Electricity consumption amounted to 1,480 kWh per capita in 2016 against 940 kWh in 2008 and 680 kWh in the year 2000 (IEA Atlas of Energy). According to the same database’s figures, CO₂ emissions in Algeria were 3.14 metric tons per capita in 2016 against 2.53 metric tons in 2008 and 1.97 metric tons in 2000.

A very interesting report, underlining key facts for the agriculture sector in Algeria, is available for download here.

A greenhouse gas emission reduction of 7% to 22% by 2030 compared to business as usual (BAU) levels, conditional on external assistance for the financing of the development and transfer of technologies and capacity building. A 7% GHG reduction will be achieved with domestic means. More info on Algeria’s NDCs.

During the past decade, the climate change strategy tools were based on the law relating to sustainable development and environmental protection, published in 2003, as well as the National Plan of Actions for the Environment and Sustainable Development (PNAE-DD), which established the country environmental programs over the period 2001-2010. Moreover, Algeria adopted in 2003 a National Plan of Action and Adaptation to Climate Change (PNA-ACC), which was updated in 2013. The latest version provides an overview of climate change vulnerabilities in Algeria and proposes over 70 action measures, including:

• waste recovery (13.5 million tones / year)
• electrification of railway transport and intensification of urban public transport (including constructing the Algiers metro and tramway infrastructure in several cities)
• uptake of renewable energies, setting a target of installing 22,000 MW of renewable power capacity by 2030, divided between 12, 000 MW to be dedicated to cover the national demand for electricity and 10,000 MW for export.

In addition, according to UNDP, the development of National Communication to UNFCCC offered Algeria the opportunity to design dedicated mitigation and adaptation measures, aiming at an increased resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Second National Communication of Algeria (2010) identified key vulnerabilities in the following sectors:

• Agriculture/Food Security
• Water Resources
• Coastal Zones and Marine Ecosystems