Updated
Overview
Algeria has about 90% more people than Mali: 47.44 million against 25.20 million (2025).
Algeria's economy is 9.5 times the size of Mali's, at $287.03B versus $30.07B.
Per person, Algeria is the wealthier of the two: $6,051 against $1,193 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Algeria | Mali | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $287.03B | $30.07B | 2025 | $263.62B / $26.59B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,051 | $1,193 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.8% | Higher: 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 3.3% | 2025 | 4.0% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 11.6% | Lower: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $176 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $149 | $66 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.44 million | 25.20 million | 2025 | 47.74 million / 22.63 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.6 yrs | 15.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.67 | 5.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 60.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 76% | 32% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 77% | 37% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,381,741 km² | 1,240,192 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.9/km² | 20.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 198 Mt | Lower: 6.98 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.2 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $21.81B | $929.28M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.0% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 326,000 | 41,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Mali is growing faster: 5.6% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.4% in Algeria and 3.3% in Mali.
People and society
Mali is the far younger society: median age 15.7 versus 28.6 years.
Life expectancy is 15.8 years longer in Algeria (76.5 vs 60.7).
Algeria is considerably more urbanized: 76% of people live in cities, against 32%.
Internet adoption is higher in Algeria (77% vs 37% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Algeria is 92% larger than Mali: 2,381,741 km² versus 1,240,192 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Algeria spends 23 times as much on defence as Mali: $21.81B versus $929.28M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Algeria carries the heavier military burden: 8.0% of GDP versus 4.2%.
Algeria fields the larger armed forces: 326,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Algeria bigger than Mali?
- Algeria is larger by land area. Algeria covers 2,381,741 km² while Mali covers 1,240,192 km², so Algeria is 92% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Algeria or Mali?
- Algeria has the larger population: 47.44 million versus 25.20 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Algeria richer than Mali?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Algeria is richer: $6,051 against $1,193. Total GDP tells the same story: $287.03B for Algeria versus $30.07B for Mali.
- Who spends more on their military, Algeria or Mali?
- Algeria spends more: $21.81B versus $929.28M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).