Tunisia's Labor Market: A Closer Look at the Latest Statistics
Third Quarter 2025 Insights
The latest figures published by the National Institute of Statistics paint a picture of the labor market in Tunisia. According to the INS, the unemployment rate has reached 15.4%, a slight increase from the 15.3% recorded in the previous quarter. This subtle rise, almost imperceptible, hides a more concrete reality: 653,700 people are currently without employment, 2,600 more than three months ago.
A Tale of Two Genders
When examining the data by gender, the story takes an unexpected turn. Among men, unemployment has decreased slightly to 12.1%, down from 12.6% previously. A modest improvement, but a real one. In contrast, the unemployment rate among women has risen to 22.4%, up from 20.9% in the second quarter. Two opposing trends that demonstrate that the recovery, when it exists, does not affect everyone in the same way.
The Youth Conundrum
The situation is even more pronounced among young people. In the crucial 15-24 age group, the unemployment rate has jumped to 40.1%, up from 36.8% just three months earlier. One in three young people was already without employment; now, it's more than four in ten. Within this group, the unemployment rate stands at 38.9% for boys and 42.7% for girls, highlighting the complexity of the transition to employment, especially for young women.
The Plight of Higher Education Graduates
The picture becomes even more dire when looking at higher education graduates. Their unemployment rate has risen to 24.9%, up from 24% in the second quarter. Behind this average, two distinct realities are hidden: 14.5% for male graduates and 32.3% for female graduates. A difference that once again illustrates a persistent gap between genders, even among the most qualified profiles.
A Recomposition of Unemployment
Through these figures, a trend emerges: unemployment is not progressing massively, but it is being reconfigured. It affects women more, young people more severely, and strikes higher education graduates with insistence. As the labor market in Tunisia continues to evolve, it is essential to address these disparities and work towards a more inclusive and equitable employment landscape.
