Algeria has secured the second position in Africa for social protection and welfare, with a score of 83.8 points out of 100, according to the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG). The country trails behind the Seychelles, which scored 84.8 points, and surpasses Mauritius, Tunisia, and Morocco. This ranking is based on six indicators that evaluate the country's performance in social protection and welfare.
The IIAG report, published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, assesses the performance of 54 African countries in various aspects of governance, including human development. Algeria's second-place ranking in social protection and welfare is a notable achievement, as it outperforms several countries in the region. Tunisia ranks fourth, Morocco fifth, Mauritania 23rd, and Libya 32nd in the African rankings.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation uses six indicators to measure social protection and welfare, including social security, poverty reduction policies, mitigation of socio-economic inequalities, access to decent housing, food security, and citizens' perception of social protection and poverty. These indicators provide a comprehensive evaluation of a country's performance in promoting the well-being of its citizens.
Algeria's ranking is significant, as it leads the Maghreb region in social protection and welfare. The country's performance is part of a broader trend of moderate improvement in social protection and welfare across Africa. The IIAG report notes that the average African score in this category has increased by 1.9 points since 2016 and by 1 point between 2021 and 2025.
Despite the overall improvement, the report highlights significant disparities between countries. Somalia has recorded the most substantial progress, with a gain of 17.2 points, followed by Djibouti (+11.8 points) and Mozambique (+9.6 points). In contrast, Sudan has experienced the most significant decline, with a loss of 13.6 points, followed by Nigeria (-11.7 points) and Burkina Faso (-8.9 points).
The report also notes that two countries, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo, have made significant progress in all six dimensions of social protection and welfare. Côte d'Ivoire has recorded a overall gain of 9.5 points, driven by improvements in socio-economic inequalities, social security, and poverty reduction policies. Togo has achieved a progress of 8.5 points, with notable advancements in citizens' perception of social protection and poverty, as well as food security.
The IIAG report provides a nuanced evaluation of social protection and welfare in Africa, highlighting both progress and challenges. Algeria's second-place ranking in social protection and welfare underscores the country's efforts to promote the well-being of its citizens. However, the report also emphasizes the need for continued improvement, as disparities between countries persist and some nations face significant challenges in this area.
Key points
- Algeria ranks second in Africa for social protection and welfare, with a score of 83.8 points out of 100.
- The country's ranking is based on six indicators, including social security, poverty reduction policies, and access to decent housing.
- Algeria leads the Maghreb region in social protection and welfare, outperforming Tunisia, Morocco, and other regional countries.
