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Economist Aram Belhadj warns of worsening inflation in Tunisia, citing structural factors
via Business News3 min read
Economist Aram Belhadj predicts that inflationary pressures in Tunisia will intensify in the coming months, potentially leading to a "hot summer" for prices and purchasing power. His analysis follows the National Institute of Statistics' INS report on consumer price index figures. Belhadj, an economics doctor and research professor at the University of Carthage, stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, that the current price increases are not temporary but stem from an accumulation of structural factors. He identifies several simultaneous elements contributing to Tunisia's inflation: rising production costs, injection of liquidity without equivalent wealth creation, wage increases without productivity gains, high global import prices, and the depreciation of the dinar, particularly against the euro. Belhadj noted he had anticipated this trend in previous analyses, believing inflationary pressures will persist as long as these factors remain active. The INS figures, released on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, show inflation rising to 5.5% in April 2026, up from 5% in March and February 2026, and 4.8% in January 2026. This increase is primarily due to accelerating food prices, which rose from 6.8% in March to 8.2% in April. Fresh fruits saw a 19.2% increase year-on-year, poultry and lamb 16.1%, fresh vegetables 13.5%, beef 12%, and fresh fish 11.9%. Cereal derivatives increased by 6.1% and dried fruits by 5.5%. Conversely, edible oils decreased by 6.8%, eggs by 4.4%, and legu
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