Kais Saied’s economic experiment has failed Tunisia | Opinions
Tunisia Faces Economic Crisis Amid Ongoing Social Challenges
TUNIS, Tunisia — As Tunisia navigates the summer of 2026, the nation grapples with a multitude of crises, including persistent electricity and water shortages, a struggling health care system, and a severe decline in purchasing power. Many citizens find it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities, including food.
Reflecting on the political landscape prior to the January 14, 2011 revolution, Tunisia was neither a model of democracy nor an economic powerhouse, as government propaganda suggested. The reality was characterized by restricted freedoms, widespread clientelism, and significant regional and social disparities. These inequalities fueled the unrest that led to national protests, sparked by the tragic suicide of a street vendor after his mistreatment by municipal authorities.
Although the pre-revolution era saw an economy that achieved an average growth rate of 4% annually from 2001 to 2011, the benefits were unevenly distributed, leading to widespread frustration. The years following the revolution introduced political pluralism and greater freedoms, but the hoped-for economic transformation failed to materialize. Successive governments have not been able to shift the economy toward sustainable growth, with the situation further deteriorating from the post-revolutionary euphoria.
By the summer of 2026, the population endures a situation marked by periodic utility cutoffs and a healthcare system on the verge of collapse. The remnants of promises made during the revolution remain unfulfilled, leaving many to question how the country transitioned from a hopeful democratic experience to its current state of crisis.
Kais Saied, who assumed the presidency in 2019 amid political turmoil and disillusionment with the ruling elite, proposed a populist approach to governance, attributing the national economic struggles to widespread corruption and the misappropriation of wealth. His administration focused heavily on anti-corruption measures, promising to retrieve stolen assets and establish a new economic model that would prioritize local ownership and self-reliance.
However, critics argue that these promises have not translated into meaningful economic reform. Saied’s consolidation of power in July 2021 resulted in the dissolution of constitutional institutions and a crackdown on dissent, raising concerns about the state of democracy in Tunisia.
Economic indicators paint a grim picture: Following a brief recovery in 2021, growth rates plummeted, with GDP growth hovering around 0.2% in 2023 and only modest improvements in subsequent years. Unemployment remains stubbornly high at approximately 15%, compounding challenges for a labor market struggling to accommodate young graduates.
Public debt has surged dramatically, increasing from about 67.8% of GDP in 2019 to nearly 85% in 2024. This financial pressure is exacerbated by a reliance on domestic borrowing, which has begun to crowd out private sector investment. An influx of cash into the informal economy combined with diminishing public trust has further destabilized Tunisia’s financial landscape.
Despite a reduction in inflation from a peak of 10.4% in early 2023, the cost of living remains high, especially for essential food items. Many Tunisians now plan their daily routines around scheduled utility interruptions, and increasing numbers view migration as a potential escape, even amidst the dangers associated with such journeys.
The promises made by Saied to usher in a new era for the Tunisian economy have largely remained unfulfilled. The administration’s focus on self-reliance has, paradoxically, compounded Tunisia’s economic struggles, hindering its financial stability and integration within global markets.
While some may seek to attribute the current economic woes to recent years of governance, it is essential to recognize the long-standing structural deficiencies that have plagued Tunisia for years. Weak growth, fiscal imbalances, and regional inequities were all issues inherited by Saied, though his policies and the subsequent outcomes have also been scrutinized.
The ongoing crisis in Tunisia serves as a cautionary tale against the reliance on grand slogans and untested economic strategies. Real progress requires effective governance, economic openness, and an investment climate founded on trust in public institutions and equitable policies.
As the nation moves forward, the future remains uncertain, with citizens yearning not for rallies or rhetoric, but for real change that translates into daily improvements in their lives.
