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Women in the Tunisian Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Rim Ben Mouelhi

    (Manouba University)

  • Mohamed Goaied

Abstract

This paper aims at analyzing the characteristics of female employment and unemployment in Tunisia and at identifying the main incentives and constraints to female labor participation and employment status. Since the 2000’s, female participation stagnated at around 25 percent in Tunisia, which is higher than the average in the MENA countries, but it is at the half the world rate. Several socio-cultural factors associated with economic determinants are causing changes in the participation of women in the labor market. Marital status is considered as a constraint for labor force participation decision and employment status for woman. Woman education attainment influences both her participation decision and type of employment choice. The services sectors provide the majority of female jobs, especially in the public sector which is considered as a “family friendly” sector. Women are poorly represented in positions of responsibility and leadership and the rate of self-employment among Tunisian women is low. The female unemployment rate is above that of men.

Suggested Citation

  • Rim Ben Mouelhi & Mohamed Goaied, 2017. "Women in the Tunisian Labor Market," Working Papers 1160, Economic Research Forum, revised 11 2017.
    • Handle: RePEc:erg:wpaper:1160
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Ragui Assaad & Samir Ghazouani & Caroline Krafft, 2017. "The Composition of Labor Supply and Unemployment in Tunisia," Working Papers 1150, Economic Research Forum, revised 11 Jan 2017.
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    Cited by:

    1. Goedhuys, Micheline & Grimm, Michael & Meysonnat, Aline & Nillesen, Eleonora & Reitmann, Ann-Kristin, 2021. "Measuring Youth Empowerment: An Illustration Using the Example of Tunisia," IZA Discussion Papers 14760, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Pierre‐Richard Agénor & Kamer K. Ozdemir & Emmanuel Pinto Moreira, 2021. "Gender Gaps in the Labour Market and Economic Growth," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 88(350), pages 235-270, April.

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