Empowering Tunisia’s workforce: key insights and actions to boost female labor force participation

Jul 19, 2026

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Policy note summarizing evidence and analysis on women’s participation in Tunisia’s labor market and the factors shaping female labor force participation across demographics. It reviews key determinants and lifecycle constraints, including education-to-work transitions, gender gaps in employment and pay, and differences tied to private-sector conditions, digital and financial inclusion, and mobility and safety. The document culminates in priority actions spanning education and vocational training, affordable childcare, support for rural women, and targeted interventions to address knowledge gaps and enable progress.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages39

Reading Time1 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Key messages

Introduction

PART I: AN OVERVIEW OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN TUNISIA’S LABOR MARKET

Key determinants and barriers to female labor force participation

PART 2: CONSTRAINTS TO PARTICIPATION OVER THE LIFECYCLE

Before entering-the Tunisian Paradox: increasing educational attainment but stagnant FLFP

Entering and staying in the labor market

Gender disparities in employment

Low wages and gender gap in Tunisia's private sector

Digital and financial inclusion and asset ownership

Gender disparities in mobility and safety concerns

Marrying and starting a family

PART 3: PRIORITY ACTIONS

Modernizing and reinforcing existing programs in education and vocational training

Accelerating efforts to expand access to affordable and quality childcare services

Ensuring equal opportunities and empowering rural women

Enhancing mobility and safety: addressing knowledge gaps and piloting solutions

References

Annex

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2025 The World Bank Group 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: ](Internet: www.worldbank.org)[www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank Group.“The World Bank Group” refers to the legally separate organizations of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) . While believed reliable, the World Bank Group does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the content included in this work, or for the conclusions or judgments described herein, and accepts no responsibility or liability for any omissions or errors (including, without limitation, typographical errors and technical errors) in the content whatsoever or for reliance thereon. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of the World Bank Group concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of the World Bank Group orthe governments they represent. Nothing herein shall constitute, imply or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of any of The World Bank Group organizations, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank Group encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for non-commercial purposes if full attribution to this work is given. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; e-mail: [pubrights@worldbank.org](pubrights@worldbank.org). Publication design: Maria Luna Guaschino Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: “World Bank. 2025. Empowering Tunisia’s workforce: key insights and actions to boost female labor force participation. Washington D.C.: World Bank.” Ackowledgments This policy note was prepared by Majda Benzidia and Federica Alfani. The authors want to thank the National Institute of Statistics (INS) of Tunisia for the ongoing collaboration, Phuong Le Minh, Carla Florentiny, and Johanne Bacheron for the excellent assistance with data preparation and analysis, Kersten Kevin Stamm and Rafaela Martinho Henriques for their analysis of the impact of increased female labor force participation on potential growth in Tunisia. The report was produced under the guidance of Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, Alexandre Arrobbio and Salman Zaidi. The report was peer-reviewed by Massimiliano Cali, Luciana De la Flor Giuffra and Ana Maria Oviedo. The work to produce this report was part of the Maghreb Facility for Women’s Economic and Social Inclusion (MFW) . The MFW is a World Bank initiative focused on advancing gender equality and empowering women throughout the Maghreb region by building evidence, fostering partnerships, and supporting policy reforms. It serves as a platform for strategic engagement across sectors, aiming to expand women’s access to economic and social opportunities and drive meaningful change. Contents Key messages ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6 PART I: AN OVERVIEW OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN TUNISIA’S LA

FAQs

What is the main focus of this policy note?

It focuses on key insights and priority actions to boost female labor force participation in Tunisia by analyzing constraints across the labor market and the lifecycle.

Which barriers and determinants are discussed regarding women’s labor force participation?

The note covers determinants and barriers that vary across demographics, including education-to-work transitions, employment and pay disparities, and gaps related to digital and financial inclusion, mobility, and safety.

What priority actions does the note recommend to improve female labor force participation?

It recommends modernizing education and vocational training, expanding affordable and quality childcare, enabling equal opportunities for rural women, and improving mobility and safety through targeted solutions and piloting.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Himbo