Tunisia’s economy falters under Kais Saied’s unfulfilled reform promises
Tunisia faces severe shortages of electricity, water and basic goods as growth stalls and public debt climbs, despite President Kais Saied’s pledges to recover stolen wealth and create community-owned firms.
Kais Saied arrived at the presidency in 2019 amid public fatigue with the post-revolution elite and pledged to eradicate corruption, retrieve misappropriated funds and launch community-owned enterprises as a path to economic independence. After consolidating power in 2021, his government has struggled to translate rhetoric into growth: World Bank figures record a rebound to 4.7 % in 2021, followed by declines to 2.8 % in 2022, 0.2 % in 2023, and modest recoveries of 1.6 % and about 2.5 % in 2024-2025, insufficient to curb 15 % unemployment.
Public debt surged from about 67.8 % of GDP in 2019 to almost 85 % in 2024, forcing the Treasury to borrow directly from the Central Bank and to depend on commercial banks for financing, which has limited private sector credit. Inflation has eased but food costs remain high, and by summer 2026 many Tunisians live with frequent power and water outages, prompting increased migration attempts. The author argues that the failure of Saied’s economic experiment illustrates the limits of slogans and the need for open, confidence-building policies.
Why it matters
Tunisia’s deteriorating economy undercuts living standards and fuels migration, affecting regional stability.
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