Algiers vs Asmara

Asmara leads Algiers by 1 points on the CIRA Index, 46 to 45. Algiers grades better on 6 measures, Asmara on 4; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Algiers 45, Asmara 46
• OECD: Algiers 46, Asmara 45
• UN Tourism: Algiers 49, Asmara 43
• UNDRR: Algiers 40, Asmara 40

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Algiers 50, Asmara –
• Economy and jobs: Algiers 58, Asmara 38
• Climate and hazards: Algiers 50, Asmara 70
• Water and environment: Algiers 42, Asmara 50
• Community and housing: Algiers 25, Asmara –
• Access and continuity: Algiers 46, Asmara 21

Where Algiers is stronger

• Income per head: 18,586 GDP per capita, USD PPP (country figure) (World Bank WDI, 2025). Between 15,000 and 30,000: grade 1/4.
• Wastewater safely treated: 76.2 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (country figure) (United Nations in Algeria / WHO & UN-Habitat SDG 6.3.1 Database, 2024). Between 70 and 85: grade 2/4.
• Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (AirMundo / SNTF / EPAL Port of Algiers / CSCEC, 2024). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
• Government effectiveness: 39.2 World Bank WGI percentile rank, 0–100 (country figure) (World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, 2025). Between 20 and 40: grade 1/4.
• Travel advisory: 2 stricter of the US and Canadian government advisory for the country, 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel) (country figure) (US State Department and Government of Canada travel advisories, 2026-09-29). Between 1 and 2: grade 3/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source such as a tourist tax or levy (Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire (Loi de finances), 2023–2024). Grade 2/4.

Where Asmara is stronger

• Unemployment rate: 6 % of the labour force (country figure) (International Labour Organization (ILOSTAT) via Statistisches Bundesamt / World Bank, 2025). Between 5 and 8: grade 3/4.
• Extreme heat days: 0 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 0 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 157 kg per resident per year (Maekel Administration cited in ResearchGate: Solid Waste Management and its Problem in Asmara City of Eritrea, 2007). At or below 350: grade 4/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Algeria: #89 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Algiers in full · Asmara in full

The CIRA Index ranking · City vs city · How the index works · CIRA Studio · Put your city in the pilot