Algeria: jobs and pay

How many people receive Algeria's unemployment allowance?

Algeria's 2026 budget provides 420 billion dinars for the unemployment allowance, for 2,184,560 beneficiaries, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 finance bill presentation report.

That is about 192,000 dinars per beneficiary over the year, if the full amount is paid to that number of people. The allowance is part of 2,284 billion dinars of transfers to people in the budget, which also include 424 billion dinars for pensions and similar payments. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security oversees the allowance.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance (DGPP): 2026 finance bill presentation report · Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security

What is the unemployment rate in Algeria?

Algeria's unemployment rate was 11.6% in 2025, according to the modelled International Labour Organization estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The modelled estimate counts people without work who are available for and looking for it, as a share of the labour force. It is built from national surveys and statistical models, so it can differ from a national survey figure. The National Office of Statistics runs Algeria's labour force survey, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so no national figure could be read.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Algeria

How much does Algeria spend on public sector pay?

Algeria's public sector wage bill for 2026 is 5,926 billion dinars, 33.6% of the state budget, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 finance bill presentation report. It is 83 billion dinars (1.4%) more than in 2025.

The total includes 1,241.57 billion dinars of pay in public administrative establishments (EPA). The report does not give pay scales or the number of public employees. In the first half of 2025, spending on staff rose 3.9% on a year earlier, to 2,137.35 billion dinars.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance (DGPP): 2026 finance bill presentation report

What is the minimum wage (SNMG) in Algeria?

No current figure for the guaranteed national minimum wage (SNMG) could be read on the sites of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance, checked on 15 October 2026.

Any change to the SNMG would be published in the Official Journal, which carries Algeria's laws and decrees. The National Office of Statistics, which publishes wage surveys, could not be reached that day.

Official sources: Official Journal of Algeria

What is the minimum wage in Algeria?

20,000 DZD a month (about $149): that is the statutory minimum wage in Algeria for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How high is unemployment in Algeria?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Algeria was 11.6% in 2025. The peak was 15.3% in 2005 and the low 9.8% in 2013. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Algeria is 9th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 26th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Algeria?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Algeria was 29.4% in 2025. The peak was 35.8% in 2020 and the low 21.8% in 2009. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 18.3%; Algeria is 8th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 18th of 174.

How many people in Algeria are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Algeria was 40.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 43.5%; its low point was 2020, at 38.0%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 45.2%; Algeria is 16th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 164th of 174.

What share of women in Algeria are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 14.1%. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 15.3%; its low point was 2005, at 13.0%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.0%, and Algeria placed 16th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 169th of 174.

What share of adults in Algeria have a job?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Algeria was 36.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 39.2%; its low point was 2020, at 32.7%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.0%, and Algeria placed 15th highest of 21. Worldwide: 163rd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Algeria?

25.6%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Algeria for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 21.6%; Algeria is 9th highest of 21. Worldwide: 98th of 174.

What share of workers in Algeria earn a wage or salary?

69.8%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Algeria for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Algeria placed 13th highest of 21. Worldwide: 75th of 174.