Women in the Tunisian labor market

Abstract EN

This paper aims at analyzing the characteristics of female employment and unemployment in Tunisia and at identifying the main incentives and constraints to female labor participation and employment status.

Since the 2000’s, female participation stagnated at around 25 percent in Tunisia, which is higher than the average in the MENA countries, but it is at the half the world rate.

Several socio-cultural factors associated with economic determinants are causing changes in the participation of women in the labor market.

Marital status is considered as a constraint for labor force participation decision and employment status for woman.

Woman education attainment influences both her participation decision and type of employment choice.

The services sectors provide the majority of female jobs, especially in the public sector which is considered as a “family friendly” sector.

Women are poorly represented in positions of responsibility and leadership and the rate of self-employment among Tunisian women is low.

The female unemployment rate is above that of men.