Tunisia's economic challenges show no sign of abating

Significance The economic situation is challenging: unemployment was 16.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and work and business opportunities are limited. The government has avoided a debt crisis in part by restricting imports and stabilising the currency. Saied has also sought to supplement external financing with increased recourse to domestic sources of funding. Impacts The government’s crackdown on political opponents, activists and the media could intensify still further. The National Salvation Front, a coalition of the main opposition parties, will likely boycott the presidential elections. Arrests will undermine the influence and leverage of the UGTT, the country’s main trade union.