Tunisian Government Strengthens Social State and Boosts Economic Growth

Strategic Insights -

The Tunisian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, has recommended strengthening the pillars of the social state to boost economic growth and reduce unemployment. The recommendations include new public sector recruitments, continuing the site workers settlement programme, combating precarious employment and sub-contracting, and promoting decent work with fair wages and social protection. The government also aims to support vulnerable groups and low-income families, integrating them economically, improving their living conditions, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of public services, particularly in health, education, and transport.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tunisian government has recommended strengthening the pillars of the social state to boost economic growth and reduce unemployment, with a focus on employment and reducing unemployment through new public sector recruitments and combating precarious employment and sub-contracting.
  • The government aims to support vulnerable groups and low-income families by integrating them economically, improving their living conditions, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of public services, particularly in health, education, and transport.
  • The meeting reviewed global economic prospects and the national context across economic, social, technological, and environmental fields, along with policy-related assumptions, and set growth estimates and targets for 2026.
  • The 2026 Economic Balance aims to ensure a decent standard of living and achieve social justice across all societal groups, open wider opportunities for all groups and support investment, enhance wealth creation through optimal use of productive capacities, confirm economic recovery and strengthen the economy's resilience to crises, and begin implementing projects proposed by local, regional and district councils starting in 2026.
  • The government also aims to launch further reforms and programmes to improve public policy performance, improve the pace of implementing public and private projects, and promote sustainability in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions by developing a green and circular economy.

Statistics:

  • The Tunisian economy is expected to grow at a rate of 2.5% in 2026, with a GDP growth rate of 3.2% (Source: Prime Ministry).
  • The government aims to reduce unemployment from 15.1% in 2025 to 10% in 2026 (Source: Tunis Afrique Presse).
  • The 2026-2030 development plan aims to reduce poverty from 20.2% in 2025 to 15% in 2030 (Source: AllAfrica.com).
  • The government has allocated TND 10 billion (approx. USD 3.5 billion) for new public sector recruitments and public investment in 2026 (Source: Prime Ministry).
  • Tunisia aims to increase renewable energy production from 25% of total energy production in 2025 to 35% in 2030 (Source: AllAfrica.com).

Sources:

  • Prime Ministry
  • Tunis Afrique Presse
  • AllAfrica.com