World's cheapest gas: Top 10 countries

Algeria, an OPEC member, has the third-largest proven oil reserves in Africa behind Libya and Nigeria.  It was the continent’s fourth largest producer in 2010 following Nigeria, Angola and Libya.  The European Union relies on the North African country to meet its environmental restrictions on sulfur in fuel because of the Algerian oil quality and the low sulfur content.  Its industries are mostly nationalized and the government restricts imports, privatization and other foreign involvement.  A majority (60%) of Algeria’s income comes from oil production.  Similar to other economies that lack diversification and merely depend on natural resources exploitation, Algeria is poor.  However, in order to combat high youth unemployment the government proclaimed in 2010 that it would invest revenues from oil and gas exports to museums, theaters, and libraries.