Algerian regime faces accusations of economic failure following reports of record numbers of prostitutes in the country

Anthropological study reveals the secrets of the prostitution economy in Algeria

The anthropologist and researcher Keltoum Agis, based at the Center for Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology in Oran, has shed light on one of the most sensitive topics in Algeria: prostitution, which is often treated as a taboo subject. Through scientific field research and surveys, the researcher attempted to decode what she describes as the “prostitution economy,” which is thriving under the current policies of the Algerian regime.

Historical roots of prostitution and the influence of the colonial era

According to the research findings, the phenomenon of prostitution in Algeria is not new; it has deep historical roots dating back to the Roman era and the Ottoman period, which was known for its system of concubines and domestic slavery. However, the French colonial administration, according to the researcher’s study and the book by Christelle Taraud, established a new, regulated legal and administrative system starting in 1831. Sex workers were subjected to medical and police oversight, and military brothels were established for European soldiers and colonial troops, with large numbers of such establishments recorded in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine over the decades.

Shocking figures and the shadow economy in Algeria

In an assessment of the current situation, data from a survey conducted by the El-Abassa Institute in 2025 indicate that the Algerian regime is facing a suffocating socio-economic crisis that is clearly reflected in indicators of social deviance. The survey revealed the existence of millions of clandestine sex workers contributing to the support of millions of individuals, making secret prostitution an essential pillar of the shadow economy, amidst structural failures caused by the Algerian regime in terms of development and providing a decent life for citizens.