The Overproduction of Doctors in Tunisia: A Recipe for Chronic Unemployment
No one can deny that there is an overabundance of doctors in Tunisia, particularly in the humanities. While the increase in the number of degree holders may seem like a factor in favor of growth, the reality is quite different. For the vast majority of young people, pursuing a scientific research career is not a thoughtful choice, but rather a way to circumvent unemployment. Unfortunately, this path ultimately leads to even more chronic unemployment.
The Tunisian university system has always relied on contract workers, a means to finance their studies. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has decided to assess the real needs to open assistant positions, a rational choice, but one with consequences.
The first consequence is that there will be an exceptional recruitment drive this year, which will close the door for a good period. The capacity to absorb young doctors is limited, and that's the bad surprise. According to the ministry's statement, the term "real needs" implies that there will be no gifts or positions for doing nothing. We should not expect 2,000 positions to be filled, but rather a few hundred at best.
The second consequence is the financial burden of such an approach. With 9,000 secondary and primary school teachers, we estimate the cost to be at least 200 million Tunisian dinars per budget exercise. The positive impact on the salary mass of the voluntary retirement plan is thus consumed.
This is a delicate exercise on all levels. To succeed, it requires maximum transparency at all stages. The future of thousands of young people is at stake.
