Employment and Unemployment Issues in Algeria

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Economics - Job market economics, language: English, abstract: This short paper concentrates on employment and unemployment issues in Algeria. In a first part, the economic context is presented, from an historical perspective. It underlines that the countrys economy relies excessively on hydrocarbons, which contributes to large economic distortions and has negative impacts on the creation of stable jobs in productive sectors. The second part analyses the labor supply and demand, and the intermediation role of ANEM, the National Employment Agency. Considering labor markets, there is a lack of reliable statistics, the scope and the quality of data on labor supply and demand must definitely be improved. In particular, there is a strong need for a better assessment of the importance of the informal sector, including so-called work at home. Available statistics underline the vulnerability of young generations and women. The role of ANEM is important; however, its performances could still be improved. The third part overviews the roles and impacts of development programs and key-institutions involved in job creation. Here also, improvements are needed. In addition, there is a need for better data and adequate methodology to assess the performance of these institutions.