Updated
Overview
Algeria has about 70% more people than Niger: 47.44 million against 27.92 million (2025).
Algeria's economy is 13 times the size of Niger's, at $287.03B versus $21.65B.
Per person, Algeria is the wealthier of the two: $6,051 against $775 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Algeria | Niger | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $287.03B | $21.65B | 2025 | $263.62B / $19.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,051 | $775 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.8% | Higher: 7.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.4% | Lower: -4.5% | 2025 | 4.0% / 9.1% |
| Unemployment | 11.6% | Lower: 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 36 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $120 | — / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $149 | $69 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.44 million | 27.92 million | 2025 | 47.74 million / 27.32 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.6 yrs | 15.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.67 | 5.79 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 61.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 76% | 18% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 77% | 16% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,381,741 km² | 1,267,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.9/km² | 22.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 198 Mt | Lower: 3.17 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.2 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $21.81B | $435.88M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.0% | 2.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 326,000 | 10,000 | 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
Niger is growing much faster: 7.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Algeria runs the hotter price environment: 1.4% inflation versus -4.5%.
People and society
Niger is the far younger society: median age 15.6 versus 28.6 years.
Life expectancy is 15.0 years longer in Algeria (76.5 vs 61.4).
Algeria is considerably more urbanized: 76% of people live in cities, against 18%.
Internet adoption is higher in Algeria (77% vs 16% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Algeria is 88% larger than Niger: 2,381,741 km² versus 1,267,000 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Algeria spends 50 times as much on defence as Niger: $21.81B versus $435.88M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Algeria carries the heavier military burden: 8.0% of GDP versus 2.2%.
Algeria fields the larger armed forces: 326,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Algeria bigger than Niger?
- Algeria is larger by land area. Algeria covers 2,381,741 km² while Niger covers 1,267,000 km², so Algeria is 88% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Algeria or Niger?
- Algeria has the larger population: 47.44 million versus 27.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Algeria richer than Niger?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Algeria is richer: $6,051 against $775. Total GDP tells the same story: $287.03B for Algeria versus $21.65B for Niger.
- Who spends more on their military, Algeria or Niger?
- Algeria spends more: $21.81B versus $435.88M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).