🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisia faces accelerating demographic shifts in marriage, divorce, and birth rates
via Business News4 min read
Sociologist Mohamed Ali Ben Zina indicates that Tunisia is experiencing an acceleration of deep-seated demographic trends rather than sudden ruptures, driven by social, economic, and cultural changes. He emphasizes that current developments are a continuation of dynamics observed over several decades, with historical roots extending back at least twenty years. While events like the Covid-19 pandemic and recent political changes may have accelerated these trends, they are not their root causes. One significant indicator is the divorce rate, which reached a record high of nearly 17,000 in 2019, continuing an upward trend since the early 2000s when it was around 10,000. The pandemic temporarily reduced divorce numbers to 13,000 and then 12,000 due to slowed legal procedures, but figures returned to their original trajectory post-crisis. Historically, the divorce rate per 100 marriages has risen from 5-7% in the 1970s to 10% in the 1980s, 10-12% in the 1990s, 12-15% in the 2000s, and over 20% in the 2010s. Currently, Tunisia records 22-23 divorces per 100 marriages, reflecting a profound change in attitudes towards marriage and separation. Ben Zina cautions against misleading interpretations of daily divorce numbers or direct comparisons of marriages and divorces in a single year, as divorces often relate to unions contracted years prior, and marriage numbers depend on the demographic structure. Beyond statistics, the sociologist highlights increased social acceptance of divorce,
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
Must ReadTunisian President Kaïs Saïed has ratified nine agreements, executive programs, and memoranda of understanding between Tunisia and Algeria. These were published in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic on Friday, June 5, 2026. Most of these texts were signed in Tunis on December 12, 2025, and aim to strengthen cooperation in various strategic sectors, including health, energy, employment, culture, and the pharmaceutical industry. The ratified agreements include two executive programs for sports and youth cooperation for 2026-2027. President Saïed also approved an executive program for the promotion of women, family, children, and the elderly for 2026-2028, and a health cooperation program for the same period. Other ratifications include a memorandum of understanding in the pharmaceutical industry, an employment cooperation agreement, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in energy, new, and renewable energies. A cultural cooperation executive program for 2026-2028 was also approved. Additionally, an agreement on the mutual recognition of conformity certificates, signed in Algiers in October 2023, was ratified to facilitate product circulation and enhance trade between the two countries. These decrees highlight the extensive Tunisian-Algerian relations and their shared commitment to operational cooperation across social, economic, industrial, and energy sectors.
Must ReadTunisia's inflation rate remained at 5.5% in May 2026, consistent with April's figures, according to the National Institute of Statistics INS. This follows a slight increase in inflation during spring, up from 5% in March and February 2026, and 4.8% in January 2026. While the overall inflation trend has been downward over the past two years, food prices continue to experience significant increases. The "Food and beverages" group saw an 8.2% annual rise in May 2026, a rate higher than general inflation. Six food categories recorded double-digit annual price increases in May 2026: lamb meat 21.8%, poultry 15.6%, beef 14.1%, fresh vegetables 12.2%, fresh fish 11.9%, and fresh fruits 11.6%. Other increases include dried fruits 6%, cereal derivatives 5.8%, chocolate and confectionery 5%, and salt and condiments 4.3%. Mineral water, beverages, and juices rose by 3%. Conversely, some prices decreased, with cooking oils down 6.1%, eggs down 4.6%, and dried vegetables down 0.4%. Powdered coffee prices remained stable. Monthly food prices increased by 0.4% in May 2026, primarily driven by a 4.2% rise in meat prices, including lamb and mutton 9.7% and beef 2.3%. This coincides with consumer complaints about high lamb prices ahead of Eid al-Adha. Despite the stabilization of the overall inflation rate, the continued rise in food prices, particularly double-digit increases in several categories, continues to strain household budgets in Tunisia.
Tunisia's inflation rate remained stable at 5.5% in May 2026, consistent with the April 2026 figure, according to the National Institute of Statistics. This follows a period of fluctuation, with inflation at 5% in March and February 2026, 4.8% in January 2026, and 5.2% in August 2025. A year prior, it was 5.9% in March 2025, 5.7% in February 2025, and 6% in January 2025, peaking at 7% in July 2024. While the overall pace of price increases has slowed, significant rises persist in certain categories, particularly food, which remains a primary concern for Tunisian households. The stability at 5.5% is partly attributed to the consistent 8.2% increase in "Food and beverages" prices, while "Clothing and footwear" saw a slight slowdown from 9.3% in April to 9.1% in May. Conversely, tobacco prices accelerated from 0.4% to 0.8%, and hotel and restaurant services increased from 6.2% to 6.3%. Food products continue to outpace general inflation, with "Food and beverages" prices rising 8.2% year-on-year. Lamb saw the highest increase at 21.8%, followed by poultry at 15.6%, and beef at 14.1%. Fresh vegetables, fresh fish, and fresh fruits also experienced increases exceeding 10%. Other notable increases include dried fruits at 6%, cereal derivatives at 5.8%, chocolate and confectionery at 5%, and salts and condiments at 4.3%. Mineral water, beverages, and juices rose by 3%. In contrast, some items saw price reductions: edible oils decreased by 6.1%, eggs by 4.6%, and dried vegetables by 0
Videos circulating on social media show a significant increase in jellyfish on Tunisian beaches, leading to concerns about their impact on marine life and the upcoming tourist season. Some reports link this proliferation to the decline of natural predators like tuna and sea turtles. The presence of the Portuguese Man O' War, a venomous marine organism often mistaken for a jellyfish, has also caused alarm among beachgoers. While jellyfish observations are not new in Tunisia, specialists from the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies INSTM have noted their regular appearance. INSTM researchers clarify that the Portuguese Man O' War is not a true jellyfish but a siphonophore, with its presence on Tunisian coasts primarily due to winds and marine currents from the Atlantic. However, scientists attribute the overall increase in jellyfish to marine ecosystem degradation, including overfishing, rising water temperatures, and increasing marine pollution. The decline of fish species due to overfishing reduces predators and competitors for jellyfish, promoting their growth. Sea turtles, which prey on jellyfish, face threats such as accidental capture, habitat destruction, light pollution, and plastic pollution, often mistaking plastic bags for food. Marine pollution, including plastic waste, untreated wastewater, and industrial discharges, disrupts marine habitats, weakens species, and reduces biodiversity, allowing opportunistic species like jellyfish to thrive. This