Women secured 23 seats out of 407 in the National People's Assembly following the legislative elections on 2 July 2026. These results mean female representatives now occupy less than 7% of the total assembly. The Inter-Parliamentary Union map for 2026 places Algeria 169th out of 184 countries regarding female parliamentary representation. This ranking reflects the current distribution of seats within the legislative body.
Legislative Representation in Decline
Historical data shows female representation in the National People's Assembly reached 31.6% in 2012. Participation levels subsequently shifted to 25.8% in 2017 before falling to 8.1% in 2021.
Changes to electoral procedures coincided with these statistics. The March 2021 electoral law implemented an open list system for parliamentary contests. This legislation also permitted political parties to request exemptions from the 30% female candidate quota previously required for ballot access. These regulatory adjustments altered the candidate selection process for organizations seeking seats within the National People's Assembly. The National Independent Authority for Elections oversaw the administration of these rules during the balloting periods.
Professional Success Versus Politics
Women hold significant positions across Algeria’s professional and public service sectors despite their low political representation. According to data from 31 December 2023, women accounted for 60% of judges and 50% of university professors in the country. These figures suggest a high level of female participation in specialized academic and judicial roles.
Broader employment trends reflect similar patterns within the national administration. Women represent approximately 62% of the total public service workforce in Algeria. This segment comprises 1,273,691 out of 2,052,792 employees. These statistics indicate that while women maintain a majority presence within the public service, this professional success does not currently mirror the distribution of seats within the National People's Assembly.
Leadership Roles and Ministerial Standing
Algeria ranked 90th out of 190 countries for women in ministerial positions as of 1 January 2026. This standing placed the nation fifth among Arab countries regarding female representation at the ministerial level.
Data regarding broader state administration shows women occupy 887 out of 5,563 high-level state leadership positions. Within senior functional roles, women hold 15,201 out of 42,536 positions, which equates to 35.74% of that category. These figures represent the current distribution of women across senior public service functions. While these statistics provide a measure of female involvement in senior state roles, they exist alongside the lower levels of representation currently observed within the National People's Assembly.
Legal Frameworks and Civil Engagement
Algeria ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1996. This international agreement established a framework for addressing gender equality within the state. Civil engagement remains active through organized groups, as the Ministry of Interior recorded 833 associations dedicated to protecting and promoting women in 2021. During that same year, the ministry reported that 3,913 total associations were led by women. International collaboration also forms part of this engagement. A global parliamentary women's forum held in Mexico from 14 March to 15 March 2025 included over 470 participants from 56 countries. Representatives from various nations gathered at this event to discuss legislative priorities and the status of women in public life.