Tunisia Systematic Country Diagnostic - Rebuilding trust and meeting aspirations for a more prosperous and inclusive Tunisia - Executive Summary

Jul 19, 2026

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Tunisia Systematic Country Diagnostic traces how a decade-long social, political, and economic transition shaped citizens’ voice, civic freedoms, and accountability, while also generating instability, distrust, and stalled development. Persistent pressures include weak growth and job creation, unsustainable public finances, perceptions of corruption, and deep mistrust, intensified by COVID-19. The July 2021 constitutional rupture—dismissal of the Prime Minister, suspension of parliament, and expanded presidential powers—reflects a shift from the 2014 order. Governance fragmentation and under-resourced institutions widen the gap between formal mandates and real capability building.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

Executive Summary

Social, political, and economic transition

July 2021 constitutional shift and public trust

Political settlement fragmentation and implementation gaps

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Tunisia Systematic Country Diagnostic Rebuilding trust and meeting aspirations for a more prosperous and inclusive Tunisia Executive Summary September 2022 Tunisia Systematic Country Diagnostic Rebuilding trust and meeting aspirations for a more prosperous and inclusive Tunisia Executive Summary © International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) ; Telephone: 202 473 1000 This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments that they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. 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 concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the World Bank Cover image-David Lloyd Internal photographs-Courtesy of the World Bank Flickr library | Tunisia Systematic Country Diagnostic »<br>Rebuilding trust and meeting aspirations for a more prosperous and inclusive Tunisia | <br>01 | | --- | --- | Tunisia embarked on a deep social, political, and economic transition a decade ago, a journey often accompanied by periods of instability, uncertainty, and contestation. The transition was born from a moment of hope and aspiration that spread beyond Tunisia’s borders, calling for dignity and freedom through greater political participation, voice, opportunity and inclusion. The country made early gains in this journey, securing a democratic opening and greater voice and civic freedoms for the population-core demands of the revolution. Indeed, as Tunisia became a more open polity, citizens’ ability to voice their demands and concerns increased significantly. Levels of citizen organization and mobilization grew and are high in comparison to peers, building on a historically active civil society, which has remained powerful since the revolution. Moreover, mass mobilization and the power of the street have served as a channel through which Tunisia’s citizens hold the state accountable and make their interests known. This openness distinguishes Tunisia among its peers and offers the possibility of a peaceful renegotiation of the social contract and of the transition path. Yet over a decade after the revolution, Tunisia now stands at a critical juncture, and is in the process of changing the constitutional order established in 2014. Tunisia’s transition has been under severe and sustained pressure for a number of years, with stalling economic growth and job creation, unsustainable public finances, perceptions of widespread corruption, and deep public mistrust in the political elite. The COVID-19 crisis further exacerbated the economic, fiscal, and trust crises. Events came to a head in July 2021 with the President dismissing the Prime Minister, suspending parliament, and assuming wide ranging powers through a partial suspension of the constitution. Subsequent developments, including the replacement of the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM) with an interim body, and a constitutional referendum to be followed by parliamentary elections, underscore the fact that Tunisia is in the process of changing the constitutional order established in 2014. Citizen’s initial optimism after the revolution has given way to frustration and mistrust, to the extent that surveys show large majority popular support for the President’s actions since

FAQs

What key transition forces shaped Tunisia’s development over the past decade?

Tunisia’s transition was driven by hope and aspirations for dignity and freedom through greater political participation and inclusion. Early gains expanded voice and civic freedoms, and mass mobilization enabled citizens to hold the state accountable.

Why did trust in Tunisia’s political elite decline despite early democratic openings?

Economic growth and job creation stalled, public finances became unsustainable, corruption was widely perceived, and mistrust in the political elite deepened. The COVID-19 crisis further exacerbated economic, fiscal, and trust challenges.

What happened in July 2021 and how does it relate to the constitutional order?

In July 2021, the President dismissed the Prime Minister, suspended parliament, and assumed wide-ranging powers through partial suspension of the constitution. Subsequent changes and a constitutional referendum indicate Tunisia is shifting the constitutional order established in 2014.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Miles