Most Algerians see EU as an important partner, according to new opinion poll

More than seven out of ten Algerians feel their country has good relations with the European Union, and 60% describe the EU as an important partner. A majority say the EU has a positive influence on development in their country, and 88% believe the EU’s financial support to Algeria is effective. These are just some of the findings of the latest annual opinion poll in Algeria, just published by the EU Neighbours South project.

The survey – part of a wave of opinion polls carried out in seven southern Mediterranean partner countries – was conducted in Algeria from May-June 2017, with 1,005 people consulted in face-to-face interviews. Respondents were asked about their general perceptions of the EU and the values with which it is associated, about EU relations with their country, and the impact of EU financial support. The surveys also look at preferred sources of information, how people feel about their personal situation and the situation in their country, and their expectations for the future.

In general, Algerians were slightly less positive in their perceptions of the EU than the regional average for the three Magreb countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), but more positive than the average of the four Mashrek countries surveyed (Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Israel).

Asked to describe relations with the EU, 71% said they were good, compared to an average of 76% in the Maghreb (64% Mashrek). Fifty-six per cent of those asked felt the EU had a positive influence on socio-economic development in Algeria (65% Maghreb average), while Algerians overwhelmingly saw EU financial support as being effective (88% – the same as the regional average).

A majority (60%) of Algerians see the EU as an important partner, with which their country shares sufficient common values to cooperate (54%).

In more general terms, 57% of those asked had a positive image of the EU, compared to the Maghreb average of 62% (44% in the Mashrek). As in other countries of the region, the values most frequently associated with the EU were human rights and equality between men and women, while those least associated with the EU were cited as freedom of religion and an absence of corruption.

Algerians feel EU support has contributed the most to trade (39%) and economic development (28%) in their country, and are keen for the EU to play an even greater role in those areas.

Public television remains the main source of information for news in Algeria (cited by 49% of respondents), but the Internet follows closely behind (44%, compared to just 31% in the Maghreb), ahead of private TV channels (38%); 31% said they used social media as a source of political news in their country – fewer than the written press, which remains stronger in Algeria than elsewhere in the region (34% read state newspapers and 32% private newspapers, compared to 22% and 23% in the broader Maghreb).

Algerians are generally satisfied with their lives (78%, in line with the regional average), and are generally optimistic for the next 12 months, with 41% expecting their life in general to be better (11% worse) and 32% expecting an improved economic situation in the country (26% worse).

The EU Neighbours South regional overview report and factsheets are available here.

To find out more about EU – Algeria cooperation and partnership, go here.