Algeria Expands Elderly Support to Over 515,000 Beneficiaries as Social and Health Measures Scale Up
By Dr. Hana Saada
Algeria has extended state support programmes for older citizens to more than 515,000 beneficiaries this year, Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs Soraya Mouloudji said on Monday, marking a significant increase from 420,000 in 2024.
Speaking at a ceremony in Algiers on the occasion of the National Day of Older Persons, the minister said the expansion reflects sustained efforts to strengthen social protection and reinforce national solidarity. She reiterated that care for senior citizens remains a policy priority, supported by the development of existing mechanisms and the continuous improvement of services.
Ms Mouloudji underlined that older people are regarded as a core component of the social fabric and a pillar of national memory, with their protection and recognition central to public policy. Measures include support for isolated elderly individuals living at home, assistance to low-income families providing care, and the allocation of social and health benefits. Women account for 52.6 per cent of beneficiaries.
The government has also introduced digital tools to improve outreach and responsiveness, including services enabling the reporting of cases of social or psychological vulnerability among older persons. Since October 2025, an application has been available to raise awareness of elderly rights and provide practical guidance for family-based care.
The national solidarity sector currently oversees 32 specialised institutions across 27 wilayas, offering social and medical support to elderly people without family care. These facilities provide educational, recreational and technological activities aimed at preserving autonomy and supporting integration into daily life.
In parallel, the minister announced the establishment of an annual recognition initiative to honour institutions, professionals and senior citizens themselves, in a move intended to strengthen social cohesion and reinforce a sense of belonging.
Health authorities are also adapting to demographic shifts. In remarks delivered on his behalf, Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudène confirmed the introduction of geriatrics as a medical specialty in coordination with the higher education sector, alongside plans to develop dedicated hospital units and specialised institutions. A national geriatrics commission bringing together multidisciplinary experts has also been established.
Demographic projections indicate a 136 per cent increase in the population aged 60 and over, rising from 5.5 million to around 13 million in the coming years. The number of those aged 80 and above is expected to nearly quadruple, from 700,000 to approximately 2.4 million. Life expectancy has reached 80 years—78.9 for men and 81.1 for women—levels comparable to those in several developed countries.
Minister of Religious Affairs and Wakfs Youcef Belmehdi said the data reflect the scale of efforts undertaken to support older citizens, both through institutional care and programmes aimed at improving their social and psychological well-being.
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