Purchasing power crisis in Algeria: Millions suffer from the absence of meat on their tables for years

A disturbing social reality: The erosion of the Algerian citizen’s purchasing power

Since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune assumed power, Algeria has been experiencing economic instability that has cast a heavy shadow over the Algerian table. Field reports and economic analyses point to a bitter reality for millions of Algerians, as basic food items, especially meat and fish, have become beyond the purchasing power of more than 20 million citizens.

The collapse of the middle class and the expansion of poverty

The decline in purchasing power is no longer limited to vulnerable groups, but has extended to the middle class, which finds itself unable to secure its daily nutritional needs. The insane rise in animal protein prices, combined with accelerating inflation in basic goods, has led to a radical change in the diet of Algerian families, pushing a large sector of society to rely entirely on grains and legumes as their only source of energy.

Economic indicators warn of a worsening crisis

Economic experts argue that the failure of current financial policies and the government’s inability to control markets have created a wide “food gap.” Despite official promises to improve living conditions, the reality on the ground reflects a continuous deterioration. The absence of meat and fish from the tables of more than half of the Algerian population is not a temporary crisis, but a dangerous indicator of a decline in the standard of living and the erosion of wages in the face of exorbitant living costs.

Long-term social impacts

The continuation of this situation carries significant health and social risks. Deprivation of animal proteins for long periods directly affects public health, especially among children and vulnerable groups. As the authorities continue to adopt economic policies that have not resulted in any tangible improvement in the citizen’s income, the question remains about the future of food security in a country that possesses huge energy resources, while its citizens are unable to provide for their basic daily sustenance.