Stories from Tunisia

Two-thirds of Tunisia's gynecologists, radiologists, and anesthesiologists are reportedly leaving the country. A commentator noted that these professionals often earn approximately 600 euros per month in Tunisia.

A parliamentary commission has reported that 164 hotels in Tunisia are currently closed. The commission cited governance failures as a primary cause for the decline in the tourism sector.

Three youths were arrested following a fatal assault on Sunday evening in the El Halfouine area of Tunis. The victim was reportedly passing by the scene of a dispute between the three individuals when they attacked him with extreme violence.

A underground water reservoir spanning over one million square kilometers contains approximately 40 trillion cubic meters of water. The aquifer covers 700,000 square kilometers in Algeria, 80,000 square kilometers in Tunisia, and 250,000 square kilometers in Libya.

The sentencing follows an investigation into insurance fraud within the railway company. A Tunisian court issued a five-year prison sentence to businessman Mehdi Ben Gharbia. The ruling follows a case involving the embezzlement of more than 48 million dinars from a banking institution. Civil society members and journalists held a solidarity protest in front of the court during the proceedings.

Tunisia recorded more than 21,000 new vehicle sales through the end of March 2026. The report notes questions regarding consumer behavior in relation to the automotive market. The report indicates this remains an indicator of Tunisian purchasing power despite market competition.

The Tunisian state utility faces a financial deficit of approximately 1,000 billion units. The state is reportedly required to alleviate the financial burden on the strategic institution. Tunisia is experiencing a decline in both oil and gas production levels. The country currently imports more than half of its gas requirements from Algeria. Officials noted that existing domestic fields are insufficient to meet national needs. The country is also facing challenges with the production of livestock and dairy systems. The source noted that these systems have been under pressure for several years. The situation involves difficulties in importing essential goods like wheat, sugar, and coffee using hard currency. Tunisia's central bank reported a budget deficit of 1,920 million dinars.

The Tunisian Ministry of Health is expanding its HPV vaccination campaign to include girls aged 9 to 14 years. The vaccine is being provided entirely free of charge at designated primary health centers.

Tunisia has initiated a contract for 30 new metro carriages to upgrade its local transport infrastructure. The project includes implementing an integrated maintenance system involving infrastructure, spare parts, and human resources. The source noted that the maintenance system is a key focus for the transport company and the Ministry of Transport. The initiative aims to improve the national transport system through these upgrades. The cost for the new carriages is estimated to be around 4 million Tunisian dinars. Tunisia is planning to acquire new metro and train carriages as part of a new strategy. The current metro system utilizes a strategy of using two carriages per train. Two metro carriages have been utilized, according to the report. The acquisition is estimated to cost approximately 400 million dinars.

New solar energy projects in Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa are expected to reduce electricity production costs in Tunisia by approximately 3 million dinars per year. The state energy company reports these projects will also increase electricity production by 7 percent annually. The initiative aims to lower overall energy costs through renewable sources. A solar energy project in Germany has a capacity of 1.1 gigawatts and is projected to produce 3 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. Over 5000 people, 90% from local communities, were employed during its construction. The Federal Association of the Solar Industry reports a decline in the private sector for solar panels on roofs and balcony power plants.