Inequality and spatial disparities in Tunisia

Abstract EN

The purpose of the paper is to analyze spatial disparities between Tunisian’s “delegations” by making up a Spatial Composite Index of Welfare (SCIW) according to a multidimensional perspective.

The Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) enables an overview on regional disparities as regard to the main dimensions considered in the analysis.

By using spatial econometrics models, we can see how variables related to regional development policies and economic openness can enhance or reduce the SCIW and assess, hence, their role in reducing spatial disparities.

The results show that some “delegations” of the capital city Tunis, from cities of Sousse, Monastic and Sfax are significantly three favored areas.

However, there are at least two areas (composed of “delegations” from the regions of Northeast and Center West) which are clearly disadvantaged? The results of spatial econometric estimates show that economic liberalization and public policy of regional development have a positive impact on SCIW and enhance therefore the development of a set of “delegations” but reduce spatial inequalities in Tunisia only for coastal areas.