Algerian Brain Drain: A Pre-Election Challenge for the Government

By Lamine Chikhi

ALGIERS – Regardless of the outcome of Algeria’s presidential election, 29-year-old cardiologist Moumen Mohamed is determined to seek new opportunities abroad.

Moumen belongs to a rapidly increasing group of young, educated Algerians who are pursuing careers in Europe or the Gulf due to low salaries in Algeria’s state-controlled economy. The migration of skilled professionals, such as doctors and engineers, poses a challenge for a government eager to engage its youthful electorate ahead of the vote on April 18.

Currently, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 81, has not confirmed whether he will seek a fifth term, although calls from the ruling FLN party, labor unions, and business leaders for him to continue are growing.

For many young professionals, the question of Bouteflika’s candidacy feels irrelevant. They experience a disconnect from the political elite, predominantly consisting of figures from Algeria’s war of independence against France—a period known to many only through their grandparents’ stories.

These individuals are eager to build their careers but face discouragement in a system that offers minimal job opportunities and low wages. "I have already completed my paperwork to migrate," stated Moumen, who practices at a state hospital. "I am just waiting for a response."

Currently, around 15,000 Algerian doctors are practicing in France, with 4,000 having submitted applications to emigrate last year, according to official statistics. The government refrains from accepting full responsibility for this trend. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia suggested that the media may have exaggerated the situation, asserting that it impacts all Algerians and not solely the government.

In Europe, doctors can earn salaries ten times higher than their counterparts in Algeria, where medical professionals are compensated similarly to less skilled public sector workers. "Salaries and working conditions are poor, and there’s a significant lack of appreciation for doctors," said Mohamed Yousfi, head of the specialist doctors’ union. He noted that Algerian doctors are filling significant gaps in healthcare systems in countries like France, Canada, and Germany, as well as in the Gulf region.

Despite substantial investments—billions of dollars—in the healthcare sector over the past few decades, with roughly 50,000 doctors and 150,000 hospital beds reported in 2018, the public health services often lag behind the growing private sector. Algeria ranks 85th out of 189 in the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index, which assesses living standards, falling behind many Western and Eastern European nations and even sanctions-hit Iran.

Public hospitals often cannot compete with private clinics, leading many citizens seeking medical treatment to travel abroad. "We are not respected as we should be, especially while our leaders seek medical care overseas," commented an anonymous doctor.

Migration is not limited to medical professionals. Pilots, computer engineers, oil drillers, and journalists are also leaving, according to private Algerian media reports. Approximately 10,000 engineers and drillers from the state energy company Sonatrach have departed in the last decade, indicating a growing trend. A source from Sonatrach warned, "If conditions and salaries do not improve, we will see more departures."

Most professionals are opting for opportunities in the Gulf, where salaries are more attractive. Messaoud Benali, a 39-year-old computer engineer who relocated to Oman in 2015, remarked, "I know many educated Algerians working in Gulf countries."

Bouteflika must announce his decision regarding the presidential race by March 3, as specified in the constitution. If he chooses to run, analysts believe he is likely to win despite his health issues, given the weakness and fragmentation of the opposition. However, bridging the gap with young Algerians poses a significant challenge for the ruling elite.

Algeria’s youth, despite having one of the world’s slowest internet speeds, are highly tech-savvy. This was evident when 21-year-old singer Farouk Boujemline used Snapchat to invite fans to celebrate his birthday in Algiers, resulting in a spontaneous gathering of approximately 10,000 people.

Conversely, Bouteflika, Prime Minister Ouyahia, and other officials lack social media presence to engage with the public. Much of the governmental communication is still conducted via outdated methods such as fax machines.

"Reconnecting with the young elite is the top priority for Algeria’s next president," asserted political analyst Ferrahi Farid. Historically, the government could maintain public support through salary increases and extended welfare. During the 2011 riots, officials reacted to the Arab Spring’s regional unrest by promising billions for public sector job creation and financial incentives.

However, with 95 percent of government revenue reliant on oil and gas, which experienced a significant drop in prices between 2014 and 2017, officials found themselves forced to freeze public hiring. As Farid summarized, "When oil prices are high, there’s much that can be done, but when they drop, resources become scarce."