The unemployment rate fell to 16.2% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 16.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 16.1% in the first quarter of last year, mainly due to an increase in the number of people in work.
According to the employment and unemployment indicators for the first quarter of 2024, published on Thursday by the National Statistics Institute (INS), the number of unemployed is estimated at 669.3 thousand, compared with 667.5 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The unemployment rate is slightly lower for men (13.6% compared with 13.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023) and for women (22.0% compared with 22.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023).
The unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 fell to 39.2% in the first quarter of 2024 (compared with 40.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 40.2% in the first quarter of 2023). This rate is 39.5% for men and 38.7% for women in the first quarter of 2024.
Number of persons employed increased by 59.7 thousand
The number of employed persons increased by 59.7 thousand to 3,475.9 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 3,416.2 thousand in the fourth quarter of the same year.
This population is unevenly distributed between the sexes: 2,494.3 thousand men and 981.6 thousand women, i.e. 71.8% and 28.2% respectively of the working population.
53% of the employed work in the service sector, 19% in manufacturing, 13% in non-manufacturing and 15% in agriculture and fishing.
On the other hand, the unemployment rate among tertiary educated people picked up slightly to 23.4% in the first quarter of 2024 (compared to 23.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 23.1% in the first quarter of 2023). This rate is 13.8% for men and 31.2% for women.
To solve this problem, the Tunisian government has stressed the need to review the main reforms introduced by the interim government, including the reform of microfinance and the generational fund.
The first step is to create an apprenticeship or preparation for the civil service competition to introduce job seekers to good administrative practices (anti-corruption, social dialogue).
At the same time, it is advisable to promote Tunisian skills at international level, on the basis of relations between Tunisia and its brotherly and friendly countries, given that the intention of several foreign and international companies to invest in Tunisia is likely to contribute to the creation of additional jobs.
In the next period, measures will also focus on developing the skills of jobseekers and the possibility of placing them abroad, using experts and specialists in the field, in addition to strengthening the work of employment offices and the way they deal with job offers and applications.
Conditions for reducing unemployment
It must be said that the parties concerned, i.e. ministries, public or private companies and institutions, are involved in emergency economic development.
More than ever, they are called upon to ensure that this period is as effective as possible in creating jobs and giving young people the opportunity to take part in entrepreneurial and creative initiatives.
This will undoubtedly create a more favorable environment for business start-ups and the development of existing enterprises.
Strengthening the competitiveness of the economy and improving the efficiency of the private sector also remain among the best solutions that could effectively contribute to promoting the employment of young Tunisians, especially university graduates.
This requires the current government to play its full role in protecting the interests of the various parties and strengthening the capacity of citizens to find appropriate solutions to the unemployment phenomenon.
