First-level divisions of Algeria: population and official figures
Algeria is divided into 48 first-level divisions. The largest by population is Alger with 3,534,000 people (8.7% of the total); the smallest is Illizi with 78,000. Population figures are World Bank estimates from its Subnational Population database, which ends in 2016; the country's own statistics office publishes later figures.
Who governs Algeria's first-level divisions?
Wilayas (provinces, 58 since 2019): People's Wilaya Assembly (APW) elected for five years; the wali (governor) is appointed by the President. The wali represents every ministry, carries out the assembly's decisions and supervises communes; the APW debates provincial development.
How local power works in Algeria · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 48 first-level divisions, largest first
| # | First-level division | Population | Year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alger | 3,534,000 | 2016 | 8.7% |
| 2 | Oran | 1,759,000 | 2016 | 4.3% |
| 3 | Setif | 1,725,000 | 2016 | 4.2% |
| 4 | Djelfa | 1,477,000 | 2016 | 3.6% |
| 5 | Batna | 1,322,000 | 2016 | 3.3% |
| 6 | Blida | 1,281,000 | 2016 | 3.2% |
| 7 | M'Sila | 1,225,000 | 2016 | 3.0% |
| 8 | Tizi Ouzou | 1,190,000 | 2016 | 2.9% |
| 9 | Chlef | 1,186,000 | 2016 | 2.9% |
| 10 | Constantine | 1,103,000 | 2016 | 2.7% |
| 11 | Tlemcen | 1,091,000 | 2016 | 2.7% |
| 12 | Skikda | 1,045,000 | 2016 | 2.6% |
| 13 | Tiaret | 1,002,000 | 2016 | 2.5% |
| 14 | Bejaia | 1,001,000 | 2016 | 2.5% |
| 15 | Boumerdes | 998,000 | 2016 | 2.5% |
| 16 | Mascara | 923,000 | 2016 | 2.3% |
| 17 | Biskra | 906,000 | 2016 | 2.2% |
| 18 | Ain-Defla | 902,000 | 2016 | 2.2% |
| 19 | Mila | 888,000 | 2016 | 2.2% |
| 20 | Mostaganem | 873,000 | 2016 | 2.1% |
| 21 | Medea | 869,000 | 2016 | 2.1% |
| 22 | Relizane | 837,000 | 2016 | 2.1% |
| 23 | El Oued | 830,000 | 2016 | 2.0% |
| 24 | Bouira | 787,000 | 2016 | 1.9% |
| 25 | Tebessa | 776,000 | 2016 | 1.9% |
| 26 | Oum El Bouaghi | 752,000 | 2016 | 1.9% |
| 27 | Bordj Bou Arrer | 725,000 | 2016 | 1.8% |
| 28 | Jijel | 724,000 | 2016 | 1.8% |
| 29 | Sidi Bel Abbes | 707,000 | 2016 | 1.7% |
| 30 | Ouargla | 702,000 | 2016 | 1.7% |
| 31 | Tipaza | 700,000 | 2016 | 1.7% |
| 32 | Annaba | 683,000 | 2016 | 1.7% |
| 33 | Laghouat | 641,000 | 2016 | 1.6% |
| 34 | Guelma | 553,000 | 2016 | 1.4% |
| 35 | Souk-Ahras | 528,000 | 2016 | 1.3% |
| 36 | Adrar | 512,000 | 2016 | 1.3% |
| 37 | El-Tarf | 480,000 | 2016 | 1.2% |
| 38 | Khenchela | 462,000 | 2016 | 1.1% |
| 39 | Ghardaia | 443,000 | 2016 | 1.1% |
| 40 | Ain-Temouchent | 429,000 | 2016 | 1.1% |
| 41 | Saida | 396,000 | 2016 | 1.0% |
| 42 | Tissemsilt | 335,000 | 2016 | 0.8% |
| 43 | Bechar | 327,000 | 2016 | 0.8% |
| 44 | El Bayadh | 306,000 | 2016 | 0.8% |
| 45 | Naama | 284,000 | 2016 | 0.7% |
| 46 | Tamanrasset | 227,000 | 2016 | 0.6% |
| 47 | Tindouf | 84,000 | 2016 | 0.2% |
| 48 | Illizi | 78,000 | 2016 | 0.2% |
Cities: the largest cities of Algeria.
More on Algeria: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- World Bank: Subnational Population database (World Bank DataBank source 50), SP.POP.TOTL, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b835583e3a28…)
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