Algerian authorities praise growth as young Algerians chase it across the sea

Head of the Algerian army,General Saïd Chengriha,spoke before a hall of uniformed officers last week,praising what he described as Algeria’s steady economic progress and national resilience. His speech came right after new EU statistics showed Algerians had become the largest group of irregular migrants in the bloc,with Spanish authorities also reporting that Algerians now top illegal arrivals to Spain,underlining a growing trend of hazardous boat departures from Algeria despite official claims of progress.

According to the latest Eurostat figures,70,905 Algerians were detected in irregular situations across the European Union in 2025,placing Algeria at the top of the list of nationalities without valid residence permits. Afghans followed with 42,635 cases.

Algerians also leads in orders to leave EU territory,with 45,725 Algerian nationals issued expulsion notices. For comparison,Morocco recorded 29,030,followed by Turkey and Syria.

Across Europe,Algerians also feature prominently among foreign nationals in prison populations,particularly in countries like France,Spain,Germany and Italy. Most have been found guilty for petty crime.

Progress on paper,departures at sea

The numbers present a stark contrast to the narrative frequently promoted by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,who regularly assures Algerians that “conditions are improving” and that the country is regaining economic footing.

Yet,for many young Algerians,improvement appears to be something happening elsewhere.

Despite a 21.7% drop in overall irregular migration detections across the EU,Algerian departures remain stubbornly high. The deadly Mediterranean route continues to attract those willing to gamble everything for the possibility of something better.

Earlier this year,a group of Algerian youths made headlines in both North Africa and Spain,not for sinking into obscurity,but for arriving in style.

Instead of the usual fragile boats or patched-up “pateras,” the group reportedly stole a yacht and sailed across the Mediterranean,eventually landing on Spanish shores.

Social media users dubbed it “premium harga” – a luxury version of illegal crossing – while others joked that even migration was now stratified by aspiration.

The episode portrays a generation that feels locked out at home yet inventive enough to improvise its own escape routes.

Meanwhile,General Chengriha’s remarks this week emphasized stability,economic gains,and national progress. It’s a message echoed at the highest levels of government.

But the persistence of migration suggests a disconnect between official optimism and lived experience.