Health Profile of Algeria: Challenges and Progress

Algeria's healthcare system faces significant challenges despite universal coverage aspirations. Key indicators (WHO, World Bank, latest available):

Key Metrics

• WHO Health System Ranking: 125th of 195 (2019).
• Life Expectancy: 77.1 years (2021) — Note: earlier figure of 75.5 was outdated.
• Infant Mortality: 18.6 per 1,000 live births (2021).
• Under-5 Mortality: 23.4 per 1,000 (2021).
• Maternal Mortality: 78 per 100,000 (2020).

Leading Causes of Death

1. Cardiovascular diseases
2. Cancers
3. Diabetes
4. Respiratory infections
5. Road injuries

Systemic Challenges

• Funding: ~5–6% of GDP (below WHO 10% target). Heavy reliance on hydrocarbon revenue.
• Workforce: ~1.7 physicians / 1,000 pop (improved); nursing shortage persists. Uneven distribution (urban vs. rural).
• Infrastructure: Aging hospitals, equipment gaps, maintenance backlogs. New hospitals under construction.
• Access: Rural/remote areas (Saharan south) underserved. Telemedicine expanding.
• Epidemiologic Transition: Rising NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, obesity) alongside infectious diseases (TB, hepatitis, zoonoses).

Government Efforts

• Health insurance generalization (CNAS/CASNOS) — goal: universal coverage.
• Hospital modernization program (new CHUs, specialized centers).
• Training expansion (new medical schools, nursing institutes).
• Digital health (electronic records, e-prescription).
• Prevention campaigns (vaccination, screening, anti-smoking).

Algeria has made gains since independence (life expectancy +25 years), but the gap with developed nations persists. Sustainable financing, workforce retention, and primary care strengthening are critical.