Updated
Overview
Algeria has 3.8 times the population of Tunisia: 47.44 million people against 12.35 million (2025).
Algeria's economy is 5.0 times the size of Tunisia's, at $287.03B versus $57.50B.
Per person, Algeria is the wealthier of the two: $6,051 against $4,657 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Algeria | Tunisia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $287.03B | $57.50B | 2025 | $263.62B / $53.41B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,051 | $4,657 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.8% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.4% | 5.2% | 2025 | 4.0% / 7.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 11.6% | 15.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 33 | 29 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $252 | — / 2019 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $149 | Higher: $158 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.44 million | 12.35 million | 2025 | 47.74 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.6 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.67 | 1.80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 76.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 76% | 71% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 77% | 77% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,381,741 km² | 163,610 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.9/km² | 75.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 198 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.2 t | Lower: 2.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $21.81B | $1.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.0% | 2.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 326,000 | 48,000 | 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
Algeria is growing faster: 3.8% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Tunisia runs the hotter price environment: 5.2% inflation versus 1.4%.
People and society
Algeria is the younger society: median age 28.6 versus 32.9 years.
Geography
By land area, Algeria is 15 times the size of Tunisia: 2,381,741 km² versus 163,610 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Tunisia is far more densely settled: 75 people per km² against 20.
Military
Algeria spends 17 times as much on defence as Tunisia: $21.81B versus $1.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Algeria carries the heavier military burden: 8.0% of GDP versus 2.5%.
Algeria fields the larger armed forces: 326,000 personnel against 48,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Algeria bigger than Tunisia?
- Algeria is larger by land area. Algeria covers 2,381,741 km² while Tunisia covers 163,610 km², so Algeria is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Algeria or Tunisia?
- Algeria has the larger population: 47.44 million versus 12.35 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Algeria richer than Tunisia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Algeria is richer: $6,051 against $4,657. Total GDP tells the same story: $287.03B for Algeria versus $57.50B for Tunisia.
- Who spends more on their military, Algeria or Tunisia?
- Algeria spends more: $21.81B versus $1.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).