SpainAlgeria
Spain has a population of 49.3M, compared to Algeria's 47.4M. Spain is 1.0 times more populous than Algeria. Economically, Spain ($1.73T) has a GDP 6.4 times larger than Algeria's ($269.3B). Algeria covers 2,381,741 km², 4.7 times larger than Spain's 505,992 km². Life expectancy in Spain stands at 83.9 years, 7.6 years higher than Algeria's 76.3 years.
6
Spain wins
vs
1
Algeria wins
Metric
SpainAlgeria| Population | 49.3M | 47.4M |
| Area | 505,992 km² | 2,381,741 km² |
| GDP | $1.73T | $269.3B |
| GDP Per Capita | $35,326.768 | $5,752.991 |
| Life Expectancy | 83.9 yrs | 76.3 yrs |
| Infant Mortality | 2.6 | 19.7 |
| Literacy Rate | — | — |
| Unemployment | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Capital | Madrid | Algiers |
| Region | Europe | Africa |
| Languages | Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician | Arabic |
| Currencies | EUR (€) | DZD (د.ج) |
Last updated: March 2026
All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.
Population Comparison
Spain is 1.0 times more populous than Algeria, with 49.3M residents compared to 47.4M. Spain is a nation of 49.3M people, while Algeria is a nation of 47.4M people. In terms of population density, Spain averages 97 people per km² (moderate), while Algeria averages 20 people per km² (sparse). Spain has grown at 0.37% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Algeria.
Economy Comparison
Spain is classified as a high-income economy, while Algeria is classified as a upper-middle-income economy. The Spain economy ($1.73T) is 6.4 times larger than Algeria's ($269.3B). Spain's GDP per capita of $35,326.768 is 26% above the regional average of 28,000 for Europe. Algeria's GDP per capita of $5,752.991 is 161% above the regional average of 2,200 for Africa. On a per-capita basis, residents of Spain are on average 6.1 times wealthier than those in Algeria.
Health & Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Spain is 83.9 years, compared to 76.3 years in Algeria, a gap of 7.6 years. Spain (83.9 years) is 11.9 years above the global average of 72 years, while Algeria (76.3 years) is 4.3 years above the global average of 72 years. At 19.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, Algeria's infant mortality is 658% higher than Spain's 2.6.
Geographic Comparison
Algeria (2,381,741 km²) is 4.7 times larger by land area than Spain (505,992 km²). Spain shares borders with 5 countries, while Algeria borders 7 countries. Spain spans 2 timezones, compared to Algeria's 1 timezone. Spain lies in Europe, while Algeria is located in Africa. Spain is categorized within the Europe region (Southern Europe), whereas Algeria belongs to Africa (Northern Africa).
Key Differences
The most significant difference between Spain and Algeria is in infant mortality: Spain's 2.6 per 1,000 compared to Algeria's 19.7 per 1,000 represents a 87% gap. The most significant difference between Spain and Algeria is in GDP: Spain's $1.73T compared to Algeria's $269.3B represents a 84% gap. The most significant difference between Spain and Algeria is in GDP per capita: Spain's $35,326.768 compared to Algeria's $5,752.991 represents a 84% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Spain's high-income economy and Algeria's upper-middle-income economy.
At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean
Living Standards
Spain has a GDP per capita of $35,326.768, which is 6.1x that of Algeria ($5,752.991). This gap reflects differences in economic development, industrial structure, and workforce productivity. In practical terms, average purchasing power in Spain is significantly higher, though cost of living differences partially offset the raw income gap.
Population Density
Spain is 4.9x more densely populated than Algeria (97 vs 20 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Algeria's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.
Healthcare and Longevity
Citizens of Spain live an average of 7.6 years longer than those of Algeria (83.9 vs 76.3 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a substantial gap that suggests significant differences in healthcare systems and overall living conditions.
Economic Momentum
Algeria's economy grew at 3.7% compared to Spain's 3.5%. Both countries show healthy growth, though Algeria has a modest edge in economic dynamism.
Travel Comparison
Spain vs Algeria for Families
For family travel, Spain generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (2.6 vs 19.7 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Algeria offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friendly attractions, though Spain's higher GDP per capita typically correlates with better tourist infrastructure, public transport, and English-language availability.
Spain vs Algeria for Budget Travelers
Algeria is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $5,752.991 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Algeria can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Spain. However, Spain may offer better value in specific categories such as intercity transport or package deals. Shoulder season travel in either country helps reduce costs further.
Spain vs Algeria for Retirees
Spain's life expectancy of 83.9 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Algeria may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, climate preferences, and proximity to international airports. Both countries have established expat communities, though the specific visa options and healthcare quality vary by region within each country.
Spain vs Algeria Cost of Living
Spain's GDP per capita is 6.1x that of Algeria, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Spain, while Algeria offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significantly by city within each country. Major urban centers in Algeria can approach or exceed average costs in Spain's smaller cities.
Spain vs Algeria for Digital Nomads
For digital nomads choosing between Spain and Algeria, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Spain spans 2 timezones while Algeria covers 1. Algeria's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote income. Both countries have growing digital nomad communities, though specific visa requirements for remote workers differ and should be verified before committing to a longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Spain or Algeria by population?
Spain is larger by population, with 49.3M residents compared to Algeria's 47.4M. Spain is 1.0 times more populous than Algeria.
Which country has a higher GDP, Spain or Algeria?
Spain has the higher GDP at $1.73T, compared to Algeria's $269.3B. Spain's economy is 6.4 times larger.
How does life expectancy compare between Spain and Algeria?
Spain has a higher life expectancy at 83.9 years, compared to Algeria's 76.3 years. The gap between the two countries is 7.6 years. Spain's life expectancy is 11.9 years above the global average of 72 years, while Algeria's is 4.3 years above the global average of 72 years.
Which country is larger by area, Spain or Algeria?
Algeria is larger by land area, covering 2,381,741 km² compared to Spain's 505,992 km². Algeria is 4.7 times larger than Spain.
What languages are spoken in Spain and Algeria?
Spain recognizes the following languages: Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician. Algeria recognizes: Arabic. The two countries do not share an official language.
Which country has lower inflation, Spain or Algeria?
Spain has lower inflation at 2.8%, compared to Algeria's 4.0%. Spain's inflation is within the 2-3% range considered stable by most central banks, while Algeria's rate is moderately elevated above the global median of 3.5%.
Is Spain or Algeria better for a family holiday?
For family travel, Spain generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (2.6 vs 19.7 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Algeria offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friendly att...
Is Spain or Algeria cheaper to visit?
Algeria is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $5,752.991 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Algeria can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Spain. However, Spain may offer better value in ...
Is Spain or Algeria better for retirement?
Spain's life expectancy of 83.9 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Algeria may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, climate...
Is Spain or Algeria more expensive to live in?
Spain's GDP per capita is 6.1x that of Algeria, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Spain, while Algeria offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significantly by ...
Is Spain or Algeria better for digital nomads?
For digital nomads choosing between Spain and Algeria, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Spain spans 2 timezones while Algeria covers 1. Algeria's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote income....