Peculiarities of Algeria's demographic policy

Algeria is the only country in North and West Africa that achieved independence by force of arms during liberation struggle in 1954–1962. It coincided with the anti-colonialist movement that unfolded after World War II and largely determined the relatively peaceful “parade of sovereignties” on the continent. After the patriotic war, a steady population growth was recorded until the early 1970s. The government, like most newly liberated countries, opposed the policy of birth planning, considering it “the machinations of imperialism” that prevented the population growth of the developing world. In late 1970s, even in the absence of a strategy for regulating demographic processes, a gradual decline in the birth rate began. And it was only in 1983 that the first national population control program was elaborated. During the two decades of this program, fertility declined to the replacement level 2.1. Then fertility spontaneously began to increase, reaching 2.9 in 2009. Demographers explain dynamics by stabilization of demand for contraception and fixed increase in the marriage age. Basically, the matrix of demographic behavior is extremely inertial, conditioned by centuries-old traditions and customs of peoples. But as a result of the balanced economic, social and cultural policy, aimed at raising the living and educational standards of the population, improving medical care, implementing a family planning strategy, there was a decrease in the birth rate, an increase in the marriage age and in average life expectancy to 77 years, the highest indicator for the continent. Family planning programs contributed to positive changes in the demographic situation

Birth control · Birth rate · Family planning · Fertility · Life expectancy · Population · Population growth · Total fertility rate · African Studies and Geopolitics · Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender · Urban and Rural Development Challenges