Tunisia's Youth Face Bleak Future Amid Deepening Economic Crisis and Unfulfilled Promises

In Tunis, Tunisia – The dream of a better life through higher education has become a harsh reality for many Tunisian university graduates like Cherine Ghanmi. Hailing from the impoverished town of al-Mazzunah in Sidi Bou Zid, Ghanmi’s parents sacrificed to send her to school, hoping her degree would lift the family out of poverty. However, over a decade after graduating in 2012, she remains unemployed, a burden rather than a financial support to her parents.

"We studied and graduated believing we had finally found a way out of poverty," Ghanmi stated. "We thought that once we found jobs, we could make up for all that hardship, repay our parents for their sacrifices and make them happy. Unfortunately, reality was a big shock for us. Instead of helping them, we have burdened them even more."

Ghanmi's plight, shared by thousands of unemployed graduates, highlights Tunisia's pervasive economic crisis, characterized by scarce opportunities, increasing financial strain, and widespread disillusionment with the government.

The 'Dignity March'

On September 27, unemployed university graduates embarked on a significant march from Menzel Bouzaiane to the capital, Tunis, a journey of approximately 300km (186 miles). Their objective: to demand jobs and the enforcement of legislation designed to facilitate public-sector employment. Initiated by 23 participants, the march, dubbed the “Dignity March,” saw its numbers swell as more graduates joined along the route, with organizers estimating over 120 participants by its later stages.

The trek was arduous, marked by exhaustion and injuries that necessitated pauses. On October 6, police intervention in Borj Cedria, south of Tunis, halted the group's progress, allowing only individual travel, not as a collective. The marchers had aimed to reach Carthage, the presidential palace's location, to directly present their demands.

Ghanmi described the “Dignity March” as more than just a physical journey; it was a profound expression of the hardship and dashed hopes of graduates enduring years of job searching. Many protesters cited the prolonged wait for promised public-sector recruitment to materialize into tangible opportunities. These demands emerged amidst a backdrop of broader dissatisfaction with Tunisia's economic and political trajectory.

On October 17, a large demonstration took place in Tunis, with thousands protesting against President Kais Saied’s administration, the worsening living conditions, and perceived restrictions on freedoms. This protest, spearheaded by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), opposition factions, and civil society groups, was one of the most significant against Saied in recent years. Attendees expressed deep frustration over unemployment and the challenges households face in affording basic necessities.

President Saied, who has consolidated power since 2021, has framed his agenda as a necessary response to corruption and the failures of the political establishment. However, critics argue that this concentration of power has undermined democratic safeguards without effectively addressing the nation's economic woes.

Stalled Promises and Statistics

Unemployment statistics underscore the magnitude of the crisis. According to Tunisia’s National Institute of Statistics (INS), the overall unemployment rate was 14.9 percent in the second quarter of 2026. For university graduates, this figure rose to 26.6 percent, with women graduates facing a disproportionately high rate of 35.6 percent compared to men at 14.2 percent. The youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) reached 35.4 percent.

Cherif Khraifi, spokesperson for the Tunisian Union of Higher Education Graduates, told Al Jazeera that post-revolution governments have largely neglected economic stability, development, and social issues, prioritizing political survival instead. "Almost all the governments that succeeded one another after the [2011] revolution did not make the economic situation, development and the treatment of social issues real priorities. Their biggest concern was ensuring they stayed in power."

Previous efforts to tackle graduate unemployment have often created fleeting hope. The 2022 Law No. 38, intended to create an employment path for long-term unemployed graduates, has seen its implementation stalled due to financial constraints. Khraifi suggested that such measures often serve as mere "tools for letting off steam" rather than providing lasting solutions.

The 2025 Law No. 18, enacted on December 23, 2025, provides for the exceptional recruitment of long-term unemployed university graduates into the public sector. It mandates a digital platform for registration and outlines prioritization criteria, with phased recruitment over a maximum of three years. Graduates involved in the “Dignity March” are demanding a transparent implementation process, including practical arrangements and a clear recruitment timeline.

For those who have been unemployed for years, new promises lack credibility without concrete job prospects. Ghanmi also expressed skepticism regarding Saied’s community-based companies initiative, designed to foster local development and employment. "The authorities insist on promoting community companies as a solution for jobs and development, yet none of these companies managed to do that," she noted.

Khraifi emphasized that public-sector hiring alone cannot resolve the crisis; Tunisia requires significant investment and business expansion to create jobs. In underdeveloped regions, limited access to capital and scarce employment opportunities make entrepreneurship challenging.

Economic Stagnation and Infrastructure Woes

Anis Ben Said, a tax adviser and university professor, stated that Tunisia's core issue is the economy's failure to translate skills into production, investment, and job creation. "Tunisia’s problem is not a lack of skills, but the economy’s inability to turn skills into production, investment and job opportunities." He explained that weak investment stifles business growth and job creation. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure and unreliable public services impede business operations, particularly in investment-starved regions.

While Tunisia's economy saw growth of 2.7 percent in 2025 and 2.3 percent projected for 2026 by the World Bank, this growth has not generated sufficient jobs. For unemployed graduates, these figures are meaningless without accessible employment opportunities.

Ben Said attributed the crisis not solely to financial issues but also to deficiencies in investment and the management of public infrastructure. "Infrastructure investment is not just a public expense, it is a productive economic investment," he argued.

This past summer, severe heatwaves were compounded by electricity and water shortages across Tunisia, disrupting businesses and exacerbating public discontent. Recurring power and water outages were cited as grievances at the October 17 protest, significantly impacting small businesses reliant on consistent services.

In L’Aouina, a northern Tunis suburb, 20-year-old barber Khalil expressed his desire to leave the country by boat, stating, "There’s nothing worth staying for in this country. Dying at sea would be a relief. I’m going to leave as soon as I can, and let them figure out the solutions on their own. Our generation has borne the brunt of all these crises, and nothing is left for us."

A local grocery shop owner, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented the exhausting persistent water supply issues, concluding, "I think the only solution is for someone to take over this shop. I cannot keep up with these crises any more."

For Ghanmi, the prolonged unemployment has inflicted deep emotional scars. "The wound on the body heals, but the wound in the mind and heart does not heal. It really does not heal," she reflected.