Tunisia Faces Alarming Brain Drain of Technical and Medical Professionals
Tunisia is experiencing a continuous and worrying increase in the departure of its technical and medical professionals. Recent data shows that engineers and doctors are leaving the country at an increasingly high rate, revealing structural pressure on two essential sectors for the economy and healthcare system.
Engineering Sector
According to the Tunisian Order of Engineers, the emigration of engineers is following an upward trend. In 2024, approximately 6,500 engineers left the country each year. In 2025, this figure exceeded 7,000 annual departures, and in 2026, estimates surpass 8,000 departures per year if the trend continues. Over a decade, the phenomenon takes on an even greater magnitude, with more than 46,000 Tunisian engineers having left the country, representing a significant portion of the total 105,000 engineers registered with the Order. This development translates to a persistent difficulty in retaining highly qualified skills in the face of more attractive international opportunities, particularly in terms of salaries and working conditions.
Medical Sector
The medical sector is experiencing a similar dynamic. According to the National Council of the Order of Physicians, approximately 1,300 doctors left Tunisia each year in 2024, mainly to France, Germany, and Gulf countries. In 2025, departures exceeded 1,400 doctors per year, and estimates for 2026 approach 1,600 annual departures.
Consequences of Brain Drain
This simultaneous evolution in engineering and medicine highlights a structural phenomenon of skill mobility. It is no longer a matter of isolated departures, but a regular flow that directly impacts the country's ability to meet its needs in technical expertise and healthcare. The consequences are multiple, with increased pressure on public institutions, loss of locally trained skills, and growing dependence on foreign systems to absorb part of these talents.
