OECD Economic Surveys: Tunisia 2018
Economic Assessment
Tunisia has experienced strong economic and social progress in recent decades and,
more recently, a successful democratic transition. The convergence process has slowed
down, however, due to the low level of investment since the early 2000s, while regional
and labour market inequalities have persisted. Since 2011, the external and public
debt-to-GDP ratios have risen sharply. To put them back on a sustainable path, structural
reforms that can sustain growth and competitiveness are needed. In order to boost
business investment, regulatory and administrative constraints - including the many
licences, permissions to operate and administrative authorisations, pricing constraints
and restrictions on competition in certain sectors - need to be reduced. Strengthening
Tunisia's competitiveness in global value chains through trade facilitation measures
and greater efficiency of logistics services is also key. Encouraging women's participation
in the labour market, adapting training to the needs of employers and reducing social
security contributions on payroll will help create quality jobs. A new regional development
policy, emphasising the specific assets of each region around the development of urban
centres, is needed.
SPECIAL FEATURES: INVESTMENT; EMPLOYMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Published on March 29, 2018Also available in: French
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