Summary:

On 6 February 2025, unemployed Tunisian graduates and PhD holders organized a sit-in near the government’s office at the Kasbah in Tunis to call for appointments into the civil service. 

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Unemployment is estimated at 16% nationally, with 25% of the unemployed being holders of high university degrees. The latest statistics from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) indicated an increase of 5,500 unemployed during the third trimester of 2024, for a total of 667,200 unemployed Tunisians in 2024. 

The protestors called on President Kais Saied to issue a decree allowing them to integrate into positions within the government directly according to their age and date of graduation and without passing through selection contests. 

A day later, the President met with the Prime Minister Kamel Madouri and the Ministers of Education and Scientific Research to call for the recruitment of PhD holders and graduates in state-institutions lacking the necessary personnel. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive reform of the educational system to meet the needs of the current job market. 

Later in the week, the Minister of Employment and Training reported that 21,000 jobseekers will be recruited into public service, according to the approved 2025 budget. The Minister also stated that supplementary training is being provided to job seekers to ensure their preparation to meet the needs of the labor market.  

Outlook: 

Protests by unemployed jobseekers are likely to continue throughout the year as the state is struggling to address the issue of unemployment amongst even highly educated Tunisians. 

Continued issues with unemployment highlight the challenges faced by the communal enterprise framework promoted by the current administration to decrease unemployment rates. These programs have failed to gain traction at the local level and have yet to contribute substantively to alleviating unemployment. 

Additionally, recent directives from President Saied to merge institutions and to make cuts to “non-useful” public institutions may also lead to shrinking jobs opportunities in the public sector.  

The unemployment situation risks prompting more social tension as inflation and the unprecedented prices of essential goods are increasing frustration amongst Tunisians, especially those struggling to find work. 

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