Algeria has been ranked 89th globally and second in the Greater Middle East region in the Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2025, a new international benchmark that measures biodiversity protection, ecosystem health, environmental governance, and future conservation trends across 180 countries. The country recorded an overall score of 54.9 out of 100, placing behind Oman regionally while outperforming several neighboring countries.
The Nature Conservation Index 2025 was developed by BioDB in collaboration with the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University. The ranking evaluates countries using 26 indicators grouped into four pillars: land management, threats to biodiversity, capacity and governance, and future trends. According to the report, the index is designed to provide a data-driven assessment of biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide and help governments identify strengths and weaknesses in environmental protection strategies.
Unlike many traditional environmental rankings that focus primarily on the size of protected areas, the 2025 edition introduces the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), a metric that measures how much of a country’s original biodiversity remains intact despite human pressures. The report argues that this approach offers a more accurate picture of ecological health by assessing the quality of ecosystems rather than simply the amount of land designated as protected.
Algeria performed particularly well in the pillar measuring biodiversity threats, where it ranked among the stronger-performing countries globally. The country also achieved a relatively high score for biodiversity intactness, reflecting the continued importance of its diverse ecosystems, which range from Mediterranean coastal habitats to vast Saharan landscapes. However, the data indicates that governance-related indicators and future climate-conservation readiness remain areas where further progress could improve Algeria’s overall standing.
Globally, Estonia topped the 2025 ranking with a score of 69.9, followed by Denmark and Luxembourg. The report attributes the success of leading countries to strong governance frameworks, effective conservation policies, and a focus on maintaining ecological integrity. In contrast, lower-ranked nations often face challenges linked to habitat degradation, limited resources, or weaker environmental management systems.
The release of the NCI comes as biodiversity loss and climate change become increasingly interconnected global challenges. According to the report, healthy ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon storage, climate resilience, and the preservation of natural resources. By measuring conservation performance in a standardized way, the index aims to help countries direct investments toward ecosystem restoration and the protection of areas with high biodiversity value.
For Algeria, the ranking provides an international benchmark for assessing conservation efforts and identifying policy priorities ahead of global biodiversity targets, including the international goal of protecting 30% of land and marine areas by 2030. While the country’s regional position highlights notable strengths, the index also underscores the importance of continued investment in environmental governance, habitat protection, and long-term biodiversity management.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.