Employment Disparities in Tunisia: A Closer Look
Behind the apparent global stability in the number of employed individuals in Tunisia in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter, lies a more complex reality marked by deep gender disparities. The distribution of jobs between men and women remains highly unequal. Men account for 2,561,800 employed individuals, representing 71% of total employment, while women account for only 1,048,100, representing 29%.
Comparative Analysis with 2024
A comparative analysis with 2024 reveals an evolution that warrants explanation, particularly with regards to female employment. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of employed men increased by 47,800, while the number of employed women plummeted, with a loss of 222,900 jobs over the course of a year, representing a 17.5% decline.
Understanding the Causes
This deterioration raises questions about its underlying causes, especially since it represents a peak in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by a normalization in the first quarter of 2025. One possible explanation is the strong seasonality of female employment. The agricultural sector is a prime example, constituting a major reservoir of seasonal female jobs. Women represent an essential but invisible workforce, primarily working during harvest, picking, or crop processing periods. The end of 2024 coincided with the olive harvest, but in 2025, no particular increase was observed, despite a better season. This limits the plausibility of this explanation.
The Textile and Apparel Sector
The textile and apparel sector is another industry where work is largely feminized. Did the end of 2024 see an exceptional increase in demand from European markets to explain such a hiring pace? Unfortunately, this information is not available.
The Issue of Seasonal Female Employment
In any case, this highlights the issue of seasonal female employment in Tunisia. It is not a simple conjunctural phenomenon, but rather a structural characteristic of the labor market, deeply rooted in the country's economic organization and social gender relations. It condemns hundreds of thousands of women to permanent precariousness, without social protection, career prospects, or recognition of their essential contribution to the national economy. Efforts are being made on legal and social levels to address this issue, recognizing the dignity of these women and providing them with the minimum they deserve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the employment disparities in Tunisia, particularly with regards to female employment, are a complex issue that requires a deeper understanding of the underlying causes and structural characteristics of the labor market. Addressing these disparities is essential to promoting gender equality, social justice, and economic development in the country.
