The 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum on September 16, 2026, has ranked Tunisia 125th out of 145 economies, with a score of 65%. This ranking is based on data collected by the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE), which is an official partner of the World Economic Forum. The report provides an evaluation of progress made towards gender parity across various economies.
The Global Gender Gap Report has been published annually for 20 years, covering 145 economies and analyzing a constant sample of 97 economies included in each edition since 2006. According to the report, the global gender gap has improved by 5.2% since 2006. However, despite this progress, no economy has yet achieved complete gender parity. The report projects that, at the current rate of progress, it will take approximately 120 years to close the global gender gap.
The report highlights significant disparities in progress across different dimensions. While progress has been notable in education and health, where parity could be achieved in 8 years, gaps persist in economic participation and political empowerment, which are expected to take 129 years and 194 years, respectively, to close. For Tunisia, the report notes that the country's performance has been relatively stable over the past 20 years, with significant gaps in economic participation and political empowerment.
In terms of regional and global rankings, Tunisia is 29th among low- and middle-income economies and 3rd in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Between 2006 and 2026, Tunisia's score improved from 62.9% to 65%, representing a 2.1% increase. However, this progress has been accompanied by a decline of 35 places in the global ranking, from 90th in 2006 to 125th in 2026.
The report attributes Tunisia's decline in ranking to the fact that other economies have progressed at a faster rate. Tunisia's score has not necessarily translated into an improvement in its relative position. The country's highest score was recorded in 2024, at 66.8%, when it ranked 115th globally. The report highlights a disconnect between Tunisia's progress in human capital development and its translation into effective participation in the economy and politics.
According to the report, Tunisia's main challenge is not access to education or healthcare, but rather converting these gains into increased participation in the labor market, economic opportunities, and effective presence in decision-making spaces. The report emphasizes the need for Tunisia to address these disparities to improve its ranking and achieve greater gender parity.
The Global Gender Gap Report provides a comprehensive evaluation of progress towards gender parity across various economies. The report's findings highlight the need for continued efforts to address the remaining gaps and disparities. For Tunisia, the report's recommendations will be crucial in informing policy decisions and strategies aimed at promoting greater gender equality and empowering women.
Key points
- Tunisia ranks 125th out of 145 economies in the 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, with a score of 65%.
- The report projects that it will take approximately 120 years to close the global gender gap at the current rate of progress.
- Tunisia's main challenge is converting gains in human capital development into effective participation in the economy and politics.
