Algeria's youth emigration reflects a nation's malaise

News Analysis Overview

Algerian youth emigration highlights deep national challenges, with over 54,000 Algerians arriving in Europe—mainly France—between 2020 and recent years, per the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In France, this immigration stays a hot topic in politics and media since Algeria's 1962 independence, fueling ongoing talks between Paris and Algiers. Clandestine departures from Algeria persist at high levels, signaling broader societal unease.

Recent Migration Trends

From January to October 2025, Frontex noted 8,496 irregular crossings by Algerians to Spain's Balearic Islands or southern beaches, making up over half of the 16,321 total on the Western Mediterranean route. Algerians ranked fifth among nationalities entering Europe irregularly, according to IOM data. This path surged 27% from 2024, with Balearic arrivals up 66%, linked to tighter Moroccan controls pushing more toward Algerian smugglers.

Author's summary: Algeria's surging youth exodus to Europe, especially via risky Spanish routes, underscores economic woes, unemployment, and disillusionment, as over 54,000 crossed since 2020 amid Frontex-recorded spikes in 2025. (148 characters)

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Le Monde.fr Le Monde.fr — 2025-11-29

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