Tunisia has a population of almost 11.7 million people.[1] The majority of Tunisians, 69%, lives in urban regions[2], while the rest 31% inhabits rural areas.[3] Agriculture assumes 14% of total employment,[4] with the agricultural sector representing 10% of the national GDP in Tunisia.[5]
Although Tunisia’s economy has been reviving during the past years, poverty is still a significant problem for the country. The state of development between regions in Tunisia varies greatly, with rural areas being the poorest. Together with tourism, agriculture is a key sector for Tunisia’s economy and a significant driver for the country’s regional development. Nevertheless, poor governance schemes concerning value chains, insufficient financing access for farmers as well as limited productivity due to water stress, pose severe obstacles to the sector’s development. In addition, women in rural areas face various issues which limit their access to decent employment, even though they represent more than half of the agricultural workforce. [6]
The top produced commodities in Tunisia are wheat, fresh cow milk, tomatoes, barley and olives.[7] Tunisia’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are virgin olive oil, refined sugar, dates, macaroni and food wastes.[8]
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=TN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=TN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=TN
- ^ World Bank (2019). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=TN
- ^ IFAD. Country Profiles: Tunisia. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/country/id/tunisia
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2019). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The agricultural minimum wage in Tunisia is set by law at 17.6 Tunisian dinars (5 EUR) per day or 475,2 Tunisian dinars (143 EUR) per month based on 27 workdays.[1] In general, the government of Tunisia has not been effective in enforcing the minimum wage stated above, especially in sectors without the presence of a workers’ union. Working conditions are reportedly better in foreign export focused companies than local ones specialising in the domestic market. In addition, labor violations are common in the informal sector, since the laws in effect do not protect the sector to a satisfactory level.[2]
- ^ Wage Indicator Foundation (2023). Minimum Wage-Tunisia. https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/tunisia
- ^ [2] U.S. Department of State. 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Tunisia. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/tunisia/
Living wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a Living Wage Reference Value study for rural Tunisia based on the Anker methodology.
The Anker Living Wage Reference Value for rural Tunisia is estimated at 695 Tunisian dinars (212 EUR) per month. This is the estimated wage for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent standard of living for an average family in rural Tunisia.[1]
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2020). Anker Living Wage Reference Value-Rural Tunisia. https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-reference-value-rural-tunisia/
Living Wage Reference Value, Rural Tunisia 
Living wage estimate for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent living standard in a typical rural area of Tunisia.
Fair Wear Foundation: Tunisia
This report sheds light to the working conditions and incomes of workers in the Tunisian textile and garment industry.
Covid-19 and the Tunisian Economy
This report by IFPRI, explores the effect that the pandemic has had on the agrifood sector and on household incomes in Tunisia.