The Algerian government has introduced new rules for unemployment benefits, which now stand at 18,000 DA per month. The new decree, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, outlines the conditions and duration of the benefit. According to the decree, the benefit is now paid for a year, renewable once, with an additional year for those who have been registered for at least 24 months.
The new rules are part of a broader effort to reform the country's unemployment benefit system. The decree, published in the Official Journal on January 22, 2026, modifies the previous decree of 2022, which provided for a six-month benefit period. The new benefit amount of 18,000 DA per month represents a 3,000 DA increase from the previous amount of 15,000 DA.
To be eligible for the benefit, applicants must meet certain conditions, including being of Algerian nationality, residing in Algeria, and being registered as a job seeker with the National Employment Agency (ANEM) for at least six months. They must also not have any income, not be enrolled in an educational institution or vocational training program, and not have benefited from any public assistance program.
Beneficiaries of the unemployment benefit are required to validate their registration every six months, either online or at an ANEM agency. They must also respond to job offers, seek vocational training, and update their personal data. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the suspension or cancellation of the benefit.
The ANEM has introduced a new online platform, Minha, to facilitate the registration and follow-up of applications. The platform allows applicants to track the status of their application and receive notifications. According to the ANEM, over 140,000 applications have been submitted on the platform, and the agency is processing them to verify the eligibility of candidates.
The Algerian government has allocated over 420 billion DA to fund the unemployment benefit program, which is expected to benefit over 2.3 million people. The program is part of a broader effort to address unemployment and support economic growth in the country.
The ANEM has reported that it has reactivated over 1.4 million suspended dossiers and processed over 800,000 complaints from beneficiaries since March 2022. The agency has also recovered over 90,000 cases of undue payments through negotiated repayment plans.
Key points
- The unemployment benefit is now paid for a year, renewable once, with an additional year for those who have been registered for at least 24 months.
- Beneficiaries must validate their registration every six months and comply with certain conditions to maintain the benefit.
- The ANEM has introduced a new online platform, Minha, to facilitate the registration and follow-up of applications.
