Africa's second largest country, the world's tenth largest country, a diverse culture stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the dunes of the Sahara Desert... Algeria. Despite its enormous size, the current state of the Algerian economy trembles under the majestic winds of the Atlas Tell Mountains. The economy tends to remain dominated by the state, which is consequently a legacy of the country's post-independence socialist development model. Hydrocarbons are the backbone of Algeria, accounting for 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP and 95% of export earnings. Analyzing the last five years we see the government halting the privatization of state industries and increasing restrictions on imports and foreign involvement. The Algerian economy, however, continues to grow: in 2012 it grew by 2.5%, slightly up compared to 2.4% in 2011. Excluding hydrocarbons, growth was 5.8%, 0.1 % compared to 2011. Inflation is increasing, currently at 3.9% which varies every year; 8.9% in 2012, 4.5% in 2011. From 2004 to 2008 real GDP remained quite consistent between 5-7%, however in 2009 it dropped enormously, and every two years since then the numbers fluctuate. The highest was in 2012, at almost 10%, and the lowest was in 2011, at 0%. Looking at the last decade it is disconcerting to understand the pattern followed by GDP. Gross national saving in 2013 was 45.5% of GDP, fluctuating like real GDP; 44.4% (2012), 47.7% (2011). The workforce amounted to 11.15 million in 2013, ranking 48th in the world, however with the high unemployment rate (10.3%-2013) it brings the country to 109th in the world. With a current account balance of $6.7 billion, which is half the 2012 amount ($12.3 billion), which coincides with the export amount of $68.25 billion in 2... middle of paper... LookLex Encyclopaedia. " Algeria / Education - LookLex Encyclopaedia. Np, nd Web. 5 May 2014. . "Algeria." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, nd Web. 4 May 2014. . "Oil, industry and agriculture drive the economy of Algeria." Economy of Algeria, nd Web. 4 May 2014. "Algeria Economic Outlook". - African Development Bank, 5 May 2014. "Algeria Economic Outlook". .“Poverty and healthcare”. Our Africa, 5 May 2014. .