Algeria and Tunisia rank among the world’s cheapest nations in 2026 cost‑of‑living index

According to Numbeo’s 2026 cost‑of‑living ranking, Algeria posted a low overall index of 27.97, placing it among the most affordable countries globally and the cheapest in the Maghreb. The index reflects modest prices for groceries, transport and restaurants, while rent remains very low (rental index 3.53). Despite the cheap prices, the platform notes limited purchasing power, with an estimated local purchasing‑power score of 36.33. The Algerian government raised the guaranteed minimum wage to 24,000 dinars per month on 1 January 2026.

Tunisia ranked 130th worldwide with an index of 29.1, slightly higher than Algeria but lower than neighboring Morocco (31.4). Prices for everyday items such as milk, rice and bread remain low, and a one‑bedroom apartment in central Tunis costs about 680 dinars per month. As in Algeria, the low price levels coexist with constrained purchasing power for most households.

Both countries’ rankings highlight that while consumer prices are cheap compared with Europe or North America, limited incomes restrict living standards for many residents.