Algeria GDP Grows the Least in 2 Years

The economy of Algeria advanced a meagre 0.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, decelerating from an upwardly revised 1.3% expansion in the prior period.

It was the weakest growth since the fourth quarter of 2017 when the economy contracted 0.4%, as the oil sector shrank (-5.3% vs -1.5% in Q3).

Also, activity continued to slow in industry (3.3% vs 4.6%) and commercial services (1.8% vs 2.6%), hampered by transport & communication (2.9% vs 5.1%); household services (2.1% vs 2.7%) and hotels, cafes & restaurants (-0.8% vs -1.2%).

Meanwhile, agricultural activity rebounded sharply (4.9% vs -1.2%), largely explained by higher production of vegetables.

Considering the full 2019, the GDP grew 0.8%, down from 1.5% the previous year and far below the government's initial forecast of 2.6%, mainly attributed to poor performance in the energy sector and nationwide protests.