🇹🇳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,
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
Must ReadThe General Federation of Electricity and Gas, part of the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT, held a press conference on April 21, 2026, to express its concerns regarding draft laws on renewable energy production concessions. The UGTT criticized its exclusion from discussions on this strategic issue, emphasizing its historical role in national matters and the importance of energy sovereignty. While supporting renewable energy development, the federation opposes the current model, which it believes favors private, often foreign, investors over the public operator, the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg. The UGTT asserted that Steg possesses the technical capabilities and human resources to lead renewable energy projects, with tenders ready since 2020 awaiting government approval. The union also raised concerns about carbon credits, advocating that potential revenues should fund national investments and support the public company. It warned that the current concession policy risks foreign domination of electricity production, potentially increasing dependence and prioritizing external market logic over national needs, especially with projects aimed at exporting electricity to Europe. The federation also highlighted the financial burden on public finances due to contract extensions and revisions within existing concessions. The UGTT called for a national dialogue involving public authorities, parliament, Steg, social partners, experts, and civil society to redefine the co
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