Tunisia: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Tunisia?

Food and drink prices in Tunisia were 8.4% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, up from 7.5% in August, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Poultry rose 16.5%, fresh fruit 16.3%, lamb 14.6%, beef 13%, fresh vegetables 12.9% and fresh fish 10.4%.

Freely priced food rose 9.4% over the year, while food with regulated prices rose 0.2%. Clothing and footwear rose 9.2%. Overall inflation was 5.6%. INS publishes the full price index by product group each month.

Official sources: INS: Consumer price index, September 2026

What is the poverty rate in Tunisia?

16.6% of Tunisians lived below the national poverty line in 2021, up from 15.2% in 2015, according to World Bank data based on the National Institute of Statistics household budget survey. Tunisia's Gini index was 33.7 in 2021, according to the World Bank.

The poverty line is set by INS from the cost of a basket of food and other basic needs, and differs between large cities, other towns and rural areas. The figures come from the national survey on household budget, consumption and living standards, run about every five years.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, Tunisia · World Bank: Gini index, Tunisia

What is the inflation rate in Tunisia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 5.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 9.3%; its low point was 2005, at 2.0%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.9%; Tunisia is 4th highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 34th of 165.

How much do households in Tunisia spend per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $3,100. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $2,629, and Tunisia placed 5th highest of 11. Worldwide: 75th of 124.

What share of people in Tunisia live in extreme poverty?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 0.7%. In 2010 the figure was 3.1%. It is 3rd highest of 5 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 0.7%. Worldwide: 41st of 80.

What share of Tunisia lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Tunisia at 16.6% in 2021. It was 20.5% in 2010. World rank, highest first: 46th of 72.

How unequal are incomes in Tunisia?

In 2021, the Gini index in Tunisia was 33.7, according to the World Bank. That compares with 38.5 in 2010. It is 3rd highest of 5 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 33.7. Worldwide: 44th of 80.

How many people in Tunisia face food insecurity?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Tunisia at 24.2% in 2024. The peak was 28.5% in 2021 and the low 18.2% in 2015. It is 7th highest of 13 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.2%. World rank, highest first: 64th of 135.