Tunisia is facing a worsening cost-of-living crisis, with the prices of many essential food items rising sharply since the 2011 Arab Spring revolution.
The Arab Spring in Tunisia began in December 2010 after street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid following years of alleged police harassment. His death triggered nationwide protests over unemployment, corruption, rising living costs and police brutality, eventually leading to the fall of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Nearly 16 years later, however, many Tunisians say economic hardship remains a major problem.
Tunisian dinar loses half of its value
The Tunisian dinar has lost about half of its value against the US dollar since 2010.
In December 2010, $1 was worth about 1.47 Tunisian dinars. Today, the same dollar buys around 2.93 dinars.
The weaker currency has increased the cost of imported goods because Tunisia relies heavily on imports and pays for many products in dollars and euros.
Food prices rise sharply
The increase is particularly noticeable in supermarkets.
Compared with 2010, the price of tomatoes has increased by about 113 percent, while chicken has risen 118 percent and cooking oil by 129 percent.
Other products have experienced even larger increases. Carrots now cost about 428 percent more than they did in 2010, potatoes are up 268 percent, while beef has increased by approximately 290 percent, reaching about 52.5 dinars per kilogram.
Rice has seen a much smaller increase of around 10 percent, largely because its price remains tightly controlled.
For many families, the increases mean that money no longer goes as far as it once did.
Subsidies provide some relief
Tunisia has subsidised basic food products since 1970 through its General Compensation Fund. The system allows the government to keep the prices of certain essential goods below market rates by compensating producers and importers.
However, several products have been removed from the subsidy system over the years.
In 2022, the government agreed to gradually replace universal food subsidies with targeted cash transfers as part of efforts to secure an International Monetary Fund loan. President Kais Saied later halted the implementation of those measures in 2023.
As a result, Tunisia now has a two-tier system in which subsidised products remain relatively affordable while the prices of unsubsidised goods have risen considerably.
Families struggle with everyday expenses
Tunisians interviewed about the economic situation say the rising prices are affecting nearly every aspect of daily life.
One resident said that amounts such as 20, 30 or 40 dinars no longer purchase as much as they once did. Butter, cheese, cleaning products and school snacks have also become more expensive.
Another father in Tunis said preparing his children for the new school year had become increasingly difficult. He said some subsidised notebooks and inexpensive school supplies were no longer available, forcing families to rely on second-hand books and materials.
He also complained about unreliable public transportation, saying many people have been forced to rely on more expensive private transport.
Economic expectations remain unfulfilled
Hamed el-Matri, an engineer and political activist who participated in the 2010 uprising, said the revolution had raised high expectations among Tunisians.
He said people had demanded jobs, freedom and dignity, but believes the results over the past 15 years have been disappointing.
According to him, Tunisia's democratic transition between 2011 and 2021 was difficult, while the period that followed has been characterised by increasingly populist rule and unclear economic policies.
He also argued that investment has declined significantly and that the country's economy has struggled to achieve meaningful growth.
Basic needs becoming harder to afford
For many ordinary Tunisians, the biggest concern is simply being able to afford basic necessities.
A factory worker in Tunis said prices had risen so rapidly that many people could no longer meet their basic needs. She cited sharp increases in red meat, medicine, canned tomatoes, sugar, cooking oil, fruits and vegetables.
The continuing price increases have also affected celebrations and family activities, with some households turning to second-hand clothing and other cheaper alternatives.
The experience of many Tunisians highlights a major challenge facing the country nearly 16 years after the Arab Spring: while political change transformed the country, economic pressures and rising living costs remain deeply entrenched.
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