COUNTRY FACT SHEET
ALGERIA
(August 2012)
Disclaimer
IOM has carried out the gathering of information with great care. IOM provides information at
its best knowledge and in all conscience. Nevertheless, IOM cannot assume to be held
accountable for the correctness of the information provided. Furthermore, IOM shall not be
liable for any conclusions made or any results, which are drawn from the information
provided by IOM.
1
Table of contents
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Geography
2. Population
3. Government
4. Economy
3
II. INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Public Transport
2. Communications Network
7
III. MIGRATION
8
IV. SOCIAL WELFARE
1. General Information
2. Recent Developments
9
V. POVERTY REDUCTION
10
VI. HEALTH AND EDUCATION
10
VI. LABOUR MARKET
1. General Indicators
2. Overview: Focus on Youth Unemployment
11
VII. FINCANCIAL SECTOR
13
VIII. GENDER EQUALITY
14
IX. REINTEGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE
14
X. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
14
XI. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND NGOs
15
2
I.GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Geography1
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco
and Tunisia
Area:
total: 2,381,741 sq km
land: 2,381,741 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Land boundaries:
Total: 6,343 km
border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,
Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42
km
Coastline:
998 km
Climate:
Arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along
coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;
sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in
summer
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead,
zinc
Land use:
arable land: 3.17%
permanent crops: 0.28%
other: 96.55%
2. Population
Population2:
37,100,000
18,776,310 male, 18,323,690 female (based on sample of 10,000)
Population
Density3:
14.4 (people per km2, 2008)
Growth rate4:
2.04%
Urban Population5: 65.9 (% of pop., 2009)
Age structure67:
1
2
3
0-14 years: 27.74% (male 5,275,620/female 5,012,210)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 12,502,700/female 12,280,100)
65 years plus: 5.46% (male 1,001,700/female 1,027,670)
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html
DEMOGRAPHIE ALGERIENNE, no. 600, 2011, Office National des Statistiques, Algeria.
World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2011
4
DEMOGRAPHIE ALGERIENNE, no. 600, 2011, Office National des Statistiques, Algeria.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
7
Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat (2009). World
Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision. Highlights. New York: United Nations.
3
Median age8:
total: 27.6 years
male: 27.4 years
female: 27.8 years (2011 est.)
Age Dependency
Ratio:
46.9% (2009)9
Birth rate10:
24.78 births/1,000 population
Death rate11:
4.41 deaths/1,000 population
Total fertility rate12: 2.87 children born/woman
Religions13:
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects (also taught in schools)
3. Government14
The state of emergency which had been in force since 1992 was lifted during 2011 following
mass protests, and several pieces of legislation were enacted, dealing with political parties,
the electoral code and the representation of women in elected bodies.15
Administration:
48 provinces (wilayat): Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger,
Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj,
Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El
Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara,
Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el
Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras,
Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi
Ouzou and Tlemcen.
Independence:
5 July 1962 (from France)
National holiday:
5 July 1962
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Executive branch:
Chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28
April 1999)
Head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since
23 June 2008)
Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year
8
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html
World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook ,2011.
DEMOGRAPHIE ALGERIENNE, no. 600, 2011, Office National des Statistiques, Algeria.
11
Ibid.
12 Ibid
13 CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html
14
Ibid
15
African Economic Outlook 2012, Algeria, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/algeria/
9
10
4
term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2004 (next
to be held in April 2014); prime minister appointed by the president.
Election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA re-elected president
for
third term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA
90.24%,
Louisa Hanoune: 4.22%; Moussa Touati:
2.31%
IO’s:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC,
OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO (observer)
4. Economy16
Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 60% of
budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the tenthlargest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the sixth-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th
in oil reserves. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up record foreign
exchange reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt is about 2% of GDP after
repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil
output and increased government spending. The government's continued efforts to diversify
the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy sector. The
government's efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and domestic investment
outside the energy sector have done little to reduce high youth unemployment rates or to
address housing shortages. A wave of economic protests in February and March 2011
prompted the Algerian Government to offer more than $23 billion in public grants and
retroactive salary and benefit increases. Public spending has increased by 27% annually
during the past five years. Long-term economic challenges include diversification from
hydrocarbons, relaxing state control of the economy, and providing adequate jobs for
younger Algerians.
GDP (purchasing
power parity) 17:
$313.552 billion
GDP (official
exchange rate)18:
$188.681 billion
GDP - real growth
rate19:
2.5%
GDP – per capita20: $5.244
GDP - composition
by sector21:
agriculture:12%
industry:56.5%
services: 31.5% (2011 est.)
16
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
World Bank Data 2011
Ibid
19
Ibid
20
Ibid
17
18
5
Labor force22:
11.04 million (2011 est.)
Unemployment23:
10% (2010)
Population below
poverty line24:
23% (2006 est.)
Inflation rate
(consumer
prices) 25:
4.5%
Investment
(Gross
fixed) 26:
33.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
Budget27:
revenues: $73.74 billion
expenditures: $78.58 billion (2011 est.)
Public debt28:
6.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
Industrial production
growth rate:
-3.1% (2011 est.)
Current account
Balance:
Exports:
Imports:
$18.12 billion (2011 est.)
$78.51 billion (2011 est.)
$49.84 billion (2011 est.)
Net bilateral aid
Flows from
Development
Assistance
Commission
Donors29:
$194,710,000 (2010 est.)
Reserves of foreign
exchange and gold: $185.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.421 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct
foreign investment
- at home:
$24.53 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
- abroad:
$1.944 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
21
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
Ibid.
23
Statistical Update on Arab States and Territories and North African Countries, ILO Department of Statistics, May 2011.
24
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
25
World Bank Data 2011
26
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
27
Ibid.
28
Ibid.
29
World Bank Data 2011
22
6
Currency (code):
Algerian dinar (DZD)
Exchange rates:
Algerian dinars per US dollar – 72.51 (2011) 76 (2010), 72.65 (2009),
63.25 (2008), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006)
II. INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Public transport30
• Airports:
142 (2012)
with paved runways : 60
with unpaved runways: 82
• Heliports:
3 (2012)
• Railways:
total: 3,973 km
standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055m gauge
• Roadways:
total: 111, 261 km
paved: 81, 732 km
unpaved: 29, 529 km
• Merchant marine: total: 38 ships
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 11,
passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3,
foreign-owned: 15 (UK 15) (2010)
• Ports / terminals: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran,
Skikda
2. Communication Network
Telecommunication
With a fixed-line penetration of around 8% and mobile penetration close to 100%, Algeria has
one of the highest teledensities in Africa. Its relatively well developed infrastructure includes
a national fibre backbone and one of Africa’s first FttH deployments. The country’s oil and
gas reserves have made it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa.
Competition in the fixed-line sector received a setback in 2008 when the second operator,
Lacom (a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Telecom and Telecom Egypt) exited the
market after three years of operations, citing regulatory barriers that made it impossible to
compete with Algerie Telecom. Only months later, the already delayed privatisation of Algerie
Telecom was called off and the licensing of third generation mobile spectrum delayed further.
The number of fixed lines in service fell by 16% the following year but has since then
recovered. 3G licences are now expected in 2012.
To provide fixed connections, Algerie Telecom has made extensive use of CDMA wireless
technology which supports broadband and full mobility. In parallel with the access networks,
the national and international fibre optic backbone is being upgraded to an IP-based nextgeneration network. The government has announced investments of €100 million into
national fibre infrastructure over the five years to 2014.31
30
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
Algeria - Key Statistics, Regulatory and Fixed-Line Telecoms Overview, 2012 https://www.budde.com.au/Research/AlgeriaKey-Statistics-Regulatory-and-Fixed-Line-Telecoms-Overview.html
31
7
Subscriber growth in Algeria’s mobile market has slowed considerably, and the attention is
shifting to maintaining or improving the average revenue per user which has continued to
decline under intensifying price competition between the three networks: Algerie Telecom’s
Mobilis, Orascom’s Djezzy, and Wataniya’s Nedjma. The operators have entered the
underdeveloped internet market by launching basic mobile data services, but the licensing of
third-generation spectrum has been delayed, which has made it difficult for them to fully
compete in the broadband sector.
The market has been affected by the global economic crisis, and its recovery will in part
depend on how the wave of social and political unrest currently sweeping the region will pan
out. A shadow has also been cast on investor confidence by recent moves of the government
to take control of the country’s leading mobile operator. However, should the mobile
networks succeed in ending their price war and transforming themselves into converged
service providers, absorbing much of the broadband internet market on top of the mobile
voice market, the market still has enormous potential.32
• Telephones - main lines in use33: 2.923 million (2009)
• Telephones - mobile cellular:
32.78 million (2009)
• Domestic: a limited network of fixed lines with a teledensity of less than 10
telephones per 100 persons is offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular
subscribership; in 2010, combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity was
roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons
• International: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber- optic
submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave
radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and
Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and
Arabsat)
Internet country code:
Internet hosts:
Internet users:
Internet penetration34:
.dz
561
4.7 million
13.4%
III. MIGRATION
Net migration rate35:
-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Remittances36:
USD 1,942 million
Emigration (2010)37:
- Stock of emigrants: 1,211,100
- Stock of Emigrants as a percentage of population: 3.4%
- Top destinations: France, Spain, Israel, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Tunisia, the United States
32
Ibid.
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
34
Internet World Stats,2011 http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm
35
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html
36
World Bank Data 2011, from IOM Algeria website http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/algeria
37
World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2011
33
8
Skilled Emigration (2000):
- Emigration rate of tertiary-educated population: 9.4%
- Emigration of physicians: (a) 879 or 2.8% of physicians trained in the country (b)
10,860 or 44.3% of physicians born in the country
- Emigration of nurses: 8,245 or 9.0% of nurses born in the country
Immigration (2010):
- Stock of immigrants: 242.3 thousands
- Stock of immigrants as percentage of population: 0.7%
- Females as percentage of immigrants: 45.2%
- Refugees as percentage of immigrants: 38.9%
IV. SOCIAL WELFARE38
1. General Information:
•
Regulatory Framework: First law: 1949. Current laws: 1983, implemented in
1984, with 1996, 1997, and 1999 amendments; and 1994 (early pension).
•
Type of System: Social insurance system. Coverage includes all persons
employed under a labour contract, domestic workers, actors, and certain
categories of fishermen and apprentices with earnings at least equal to half the
legal minimum wage (18,000 dinars) unless disabled, ill, retired or in receipt of
benefits. Dependants (spouse, children) are also covered by employed person’s
contributions. There are special systems for the armed forces.
•
Source of funds: Based on contributions of those insured, employer payroll
contributions, and government subsidies.
•
Areas Covered:
-
Old Age, Disability, Survivors
Sickness and Maternity
Work Injury
Unemployment
Family Allowances
•
Eligibility Criteria: are strictly defined according to circumstances of member(s)
of the household who pay contributions. They are disbursed in parity with the
minimum wage (18,000 dinars) or historic earnings.
2. Recent Developments:
The social-security safety net has been strengthened and steps were taken in February 2011
to give a general subsidy to the prices of widely consumed products such as cereals, sugar,
cooking oils and milk. The removal of makeshift housing and the development of social
housing are on the agenda.
As part of the battle against unemployment among the young (aged15-24), job creation
measures have been strengthened and access to them made easier and more flexible.
38
US Social Security Administration. Algeria—Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa. Retrieved from
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2004-2005/africa/algeria.html
9
Emergency measures were taken against a background of powerful social demands. Pay
rises were granted, varying according to the different sectors. The national minimum wage
rose from DZD 15 000 to DZD 18 000. In December 2011 pensions rose by 20% to 30%.
People without pensions or income benefit from a special solidarity allowance (AFS).
The 2011 budget also provided for the state to take over the share of social contributions
withheld from the pay of each employee recruited in the context of social insertion measures.
A special tax on the purchase of pleasure boats (set at DZD 250 000, or USD 3 345) was
introduced. A levy of 5% on the net profits of importers and wholesalers of imported medical
supplies also came into effect. The product of these two taxes is paid into the national socialsecurity fund, the FNSS. 39
V. POVERTY REDUCTION40:
Population below
poverty line41:
23% (2006 est.)
Poverty headcount
ratio at national
poverty line
4.3% (2005)
(% of pop) 42:
Household income
or consumption by
percentage share43: lowest10%:2.8%
highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Distribution of
family income Gini index44:
35.3 (1995)
Substantial progress has been made towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Per capita GDP was USD 4 500 in 2011 compared with USD 1 610 in 2000. Only 0.5% of the
population lived in conditions of extreme poverty in 2011, compared with 1.9% in 1988. As
defined by the MDGs, extreme poverty was almost completely eradicated in 2011. In respect
of health, life expectancy rose from 71 in 2000 to 74.5 in 2011 (76.3 for women and 72.8 for
men.) According to the UNDP's HDI, Algeria occupies 96th place in a total of 187 countries.
Housing remains a major challenge, as does unemployment, which affected 10% of the
labour force in 2011 (and 27% of those aged under 30).
VI. HEALTH AND EDUCATION 45:
Infant mortality rate46:
total: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births
39
African Economic Outlook 2012, Algeria, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/algeria/
Ibid.
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
42
World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2011
43
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
44
Ibid.
45
African Economic Outlook 2012, Algeria, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/algeria/
46 DEMOGRAPHIE ALGERIENNE, no. 600, 2011, Office National des Statistiques, Algeria.
40
41
10
Life expectancy47:
total population: 76.4 years
male: 75.7 years
female: 77.2 years
Literacy48:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 72.6%
male: 81.3%
female: 63.9% (2006 est.)
Algeria has made developing human resources a priority. A 2011 United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) report confirmed that progress has been made. Algeria
recorded a score of 0.698 in the Human Development Index (HDI) and occupies 96th place
out of 187 countries in the HDI ranking. In general terms its performance in the fields of
access to basic education and health care are good. Efforts are being madeto improve the
co-ordination of public policies and provide good-quality services.
The major public investment programme drawn up for the period 2010-14 and costing USD
286 billion could be implemented in a more effective way. About 40% of the programme, or
USD 154 billion, has been set aside for human development through the creation of almost 5
000 educational establishments, 1 500 sanitation infrastructures and improved access to
drinking water. In 2011, social spending actually carried out amounted to USD 17.2 billion,
USD 3.14 billion of which were devoted to the area of public health.
School attendance is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 15. The national
education service has 7.38 million children in primary (44%), middle (42.8%) and secondary
(13%) schools. The number of girls is put at 3.64 million, or 49.3% of pupils, for a ratio of 97
girls for every 100 boys. Almost 208 000 pupils are educated through correspondence
courses and 18 000 are privately schooled. There are more than 22 000 schools nationwide.
Some 1.25 million students were enrolled in higher education in 2011-12. The literacy rate is
80%. As part of its national literacy strategy, the country aims to cut by 22% the rate of
illiteracy among those aged 10 and above by 2012.
VI. LABOUR MARKET49
1. General Indicators:
Total Labour Force50:
11.04 million (2011)
Labour Force Participation:
41.7% (2010)
Employment to Population:
37.6% (2010)
Paid to Total Employment:
33.4% (2010)
Unemployment51:
10% (2010)
Youth Unemployment:
21.5% (2010)
47 Ibid..
48 UNESCO National adult literacy rates (15+), youth literacy rates (15-24) and elderly literacy rates (65+)
49
Statistical Update on Arab States and Territories and North African Countries, ILO Department of Statistics, May 2011.
50
CIA World Factbook Algeria; CIA. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ag.html.
51
Statistical Update on Arab States and Territories and North African Countries, ILO Department of Statistics, May 2011.
11
Situation of Females in Labour Market: Labour market participation is lower among
females (approximately 14% vs. 68%) and unemployment rates are higher for females (over
15%), especially young females (approx 25%) (2006-2010 averages).
Unemployment Rate by Education Level (2010):
• Less than basic: 1.9%
• Basic:
7.6%
• Intermediate:
8.9%
• Advanced:
20.3%
Sectoral Share in Total Employment: Community, social & personal services 27.6%; trade,
restaurants, transport & finance 25%; manufacturing and construction 24.7%; primary
&mining 22.8%.
Unionisation52: Progress was made in 2011 with a view to strengthening trade-union rights
in respect of job protection. The country has about 20 independent trade unions, but the
government still regards the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) as the only
representative organisation. In 2011, public- and private-sector workers undertook a number
of strikes, prompting a government reaction
2. Overview: 53 Focus on Youth Unemployment
The battle against unemployment has changed in nature, shifting from the development of
economic activities to that of human resources and of a knowledge-based economy.
Production cycles increasingly call for training that meets international standards. In the
armoury of weapons in the battle against unemployment there are temporary jobs, early
retirement, microcredit and microenterprises. Nonetheless, the supply of jobs is inadequate
and the system functions badly. An inquiry into employment conducted among households
found that 40.6% of jobs were filled by way of personal or family connections, 15.7% by
competition or examination and 14.2% through contact with the employer. Only 9.1% of jobs
were filled through the national employment agency [ANE) and 3.8 % through training
establishments. In other words, only a third of jobs went through the labour market.
The employment programmes launched in1988 were bolstered by an aid scheme to promote
employability among young people (DAIP) established in 2008. This programme supports
young people, places them and assists them in getting a job contract. It helped create 169
296 jobs in 2011. Additionally the national agency for the support of youth employment
(ANSEI) concentrates on young entrepreneurs aged between 19 and 35 in the creation and
expansion of production of goods and services. The national agency for microcredit
management (ANGEM) is aimed at self-employed workers, home workers and people doing
small-scale jobs in handicrafts, production of goods or provision of services. The
unemployment insurance fund CNAC provides support to workers aged between 30 to 50
who have lost their jobs for economic reasons. The pre-employment contract scheme (CPE)
targets people affected by poverty, unemployment and exclusion. It takes a number of forms
including work on local initiatives (ESIL), labour-intensive community work (TUPHIMO) and a
general-interest activity allowance (IAIG).
All these measures have served to mitigate unemployment. The available data shows that
660 810 job seekers received help in their search for work in 2011. About 50 000 were given
an assisted work contract (CTA), and another 50 000 jobs were created in the private sector.
To obtain a work contract young job seekers have the possibility of signing up at public
institutions in the various jobs schemes or with private agencies. Relationships between the
52
53
African Economic Outlook 2012, Algeria, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/algeria/
Ibid.
12
universities, the grandes écoles (the top non-university higher-education institutions) and the
world of work do exist but need to be strengthened. Some enterprises do not yet appreciate
the contribution of innovation and economic intelligence to the development of production
and in particular to productivity. For most young people who benefit from different types of
pre-employment contract the question of their being given a regular contract remains open.
The democratisation and widening of professional training and higher education are national
priorities in the search for a better match with the labour market. In a context of such a high
unemployment rate, young people accept jobs that do not reflect their qualifications and are
sometimes underpaid. Yet as part of the incentives for recruitment, social contributions and
employers' charges linked to employment of the young are taken over by the state. Young
people display flexibility in terms of jobs and readiness to move. Employers, on the other
hand, are reluctant to take on job seekers without experience.
Given an environment where jobs and qualifications are changing in nature, the only way to
reduce unemployment in the long term is to encourage expertise, updating of skills and
retraining. Against this background, the government is seeking to diversify the economy and
ensure that the education and research systems correspond more closely to the industrial
and technological needs of the nation.
VII. FINCANCIAL SECTOR54
The banking sysytem is made up of 26 banks, 6 of them public, among them a savings
bank,Caisse nationale d’épargne et de prévoyance (CNEP). It also includes non-banking
establishments such as insurance companies, and leasing and microfinance companies, and
a limited stock exchange. The treasury's financial operations are conducted through the bond
market for the purchase of the debts of public enterprises and the financing of public
investment. The public banking sector remains dominant, with 89% of total assets, but the
private banks are taking an increasingly prominent position in financing the economy (23.2%
of credits in 2011, compared with 19.2% for the public banks).
There is still a structural excess of liquidity in Algeria's banks. Since 2001, the commercial
banks have no longer sought refinancing from the Bank of Algeria. In 2011 they strengthened
their financial solidity with a solvability ratio of 23% at the end of December but they suffer
from weak banking intermediation in attracting household savings and are having trouble
transforming resources into investment.
The proportion of non-performing loans declared by the banks fell from 19.05% to 16.63%
between the end of 2010 and the end of 2010. Long-term capital resources are rare and
stricter prudential regulations prevent the banks from financing major projects.
Transactions on the stock exchange are limited. A small number of businesses account for
activity on the exchange. The main players on the financial markets are the national financial
institutions and the public banks.
Algeria has embarked on a programme of modernising the banking and financial sector with
a view to stimulating growth, and promoting and diversifying investment, developing SMEs
and creating jobs.
Monitoring of the measures taken by banks and financial institutions to combat moneylaundering and the financing of terrorism has been intensified. The currency and credit
council, the Conseil de la monnaie et du crédit (CMC), put in place in 2011 a system of
internal surveillance and limitation of counterparties of outstanding interbank loans and
54
African Economic Outlook 2012, Algeria, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/algeria/
13
borrowing, in particular on the money market. These new mechanisms have enhanced the
stability and robustness of the banking system.
VIII. GENDER EQUALITY55:
Several legal instruments, among them the codes governing the family and nationality as
well as the penal code and the law relating to prison organisation, were amended in 2011 to
take into account the interests of women and their protection.
The gender equality index is 0.93. Nationwide there are more girls at all educational levels
combined than boys, with girls accounting for 50.6% of those being educated. The literacy
rate among those aged 15 and above is put at around 75% (80% of males, 60% of females).
When it comes to getting a job, women are in a much less favourable position, since the
unemployment rate among women with university degrees is 33.3% while that of male
graduates is 10.5%. The rate of economic activity among women is 14.2%.
Women have only a limited role in making political and economic decisions. There is a
specific ministry devoted to gender issues, but there are only three women ministers out of a
total of 39 and 30 women among the 389 members of the 2007-12 legislature. This state of
affairs will change in the light of a law enacted in 2011, which imposes a quota of at least
30% of women in elected bodies. The law follows the constitutional revision of 15 November
2008 which introduced substantial changes to the political rights of women and provides for
their better representation in elected bodies. Article 31 (2) of the constitution stipulates that
all citizens have equal rights and duties.
IX. REINTEGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE
1. Reintegration efforts
UNHCR began its humanitarian activities in North Africa in the late 1950s with the care and
maintenance and further the repatriation of the Algerian refugees from the neighbouring
countries. Ten years later a UNHCR Branch Office was established in Algiers and a SubOffice in Tindouf was created in 1996.56
Algerian nationals may return voluntarily to any region of Algeria at any time by way of the
Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme run by the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) and co-funded by the European Refugee Fund. IOM will
provide advice and help with obtaining travel documents and booking flights. The
programme was established in 2001, and is open to those awaiting an asylum decision or the
outcome of an appeal, as well as failed asylum seekers.57
X. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS58
US TiP Report Ranking: Tier 3 (lowest rank)
Algeria is a transit and, to a lesser extent, a destination and source country for women and,
to a lesser extent, men, subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Most commonly, subSaharan African men and women enter Algeria voluntarily but illegally, often with the
55
Ibid.
UNHCR, Country Operations Plan (2006)
57
Home Office: Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Operational Guidance Note: Algeria)
56
58
US Trafficking in Persons Report, June 2012
14
assistance of smugglers, for the purpose of travelling to Europe. Some of these women are
forced into prostitution. Criminal networks which sometimes extend to sub-Saharan Africa
and to Europe are involved in both smuggling and human trafficking. The “chairmen,” or
leaders, of the “African villages” – small non-Algerian ethnic enclaves located in and around
the southern city of Tamanrasset – are among those responsible for forcing women into
prostitution. To a lesser extent, some sub-Saharan African men, mostly from Mali, are forced
domestic workers; homeowners sometimes confiscate identification documents, indicative of
forced labour. Some Algerian women are also forced into prostitution. Civil society groups
believe that as Europe tightens its borders, Algeria is increasingly becoming a destination for
both undocumented migration and trafficking. The “cost” – in terms of fees – of a migrant’s
trip to and through Algeria have increased due to a greater crackdown against
undocumented migration. Malians continue to flee insecurity in Mali and flood into southern
Algeria; some of these migrants could be vulnerable to forced labour or forced prostitution.
The Government of Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the
elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. During the reporting
period, the government sought prosecutions under its 2009 anti-trafficking law, yet continued
to conflate human trafficking and smuggling. It failed to identify and protect trafficking victims
and continued to lack adequate measures to protect victims. The government engaged in
some awareness efforts to educate the public about human trafficking and workplace
exploitation.
XI. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND NGOs
• UNHCR Liaison Office in Algeria: [email protected]
• Algerian Mission to the UN: http://www.algeria-un.org/
• Algerian Red Crescent: Address:15 bis, Boulevard Mohammed V 16000 Alger
Tel: (213) (21) 63 31 55 / 63 39 62 / 63 39 86 / 63 39 56
Fax: (213) (21) 63 43 14/63 36 90
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cra-dz.org
• International Monetary Fund: http://www.imf.org/external/country/DZA/index.htm
• Bank of Algeria: http://www.bank-of-algeria.dz/
15