Tunisia has made progress in achieving gender parity, with a score of 65% in 2026, up from 62.9% in 2006, according to the Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum. However, the country's ranking has declined by 35 places, from 90th to 125th out of 145 economies. This apparent contradiction highlights significant disparities between education, economy, and political power.
The score measures the proportion of gaps between men and women that have been closed in four domains. In contrast, the ranking depends on Tunisia's position relative to other economies. An improvement in the national score does not necessarily lead to a rise in the global ranking. It is essential to note that the 2006 and 2026 rankings are not directly comparable due to the increased number of economies evaluated.
Tunisia's profile reveals a substantial imbalance in gender parity across different sectors. The country achieves 97.4% parity in education and 96.2% in healthcare. However, parity drops to 51.9% in economic participation and opportunities and only 14% in political empowerment. These percentages reflect the gaps between men and women in each domain, rather than an assessment of the education or healthcare systems.
The disparity between sectors is a significant signal, with Tunisia nearing parity in education but lagging in economic opportunities and political power. The country's progress has not been linear, with a peak score of 66.8% in 2024, ranking 115th. The paradox of Tunisia's situation can be attributed to slow and uneven progress across domains.
The Global Gender Gap Index evaluates four domains: education, healthcare, economic participation, and political empowerment. The index provides a comprehensive picture of gender parity, highlighting areas where countries excel and those that require improvement. Tunisia's performance in education and healthcare demonstrates that progress is possible, but the country's economic and political sectors require attention.
The decline in Tunisia's ranking despite an improvement in its score underscores the importance of considering the global context. As more economies are evaluated, countries must adapt and accelerate their progress to maintain or improve their rankings. Tunisia's experience serves as a reminder that progress in one area does not guarantee a better ranking, emphasizing the need for continued efforts across all domains.
To address the disparities in gender parity, Tunisia must focus on economic participation and political empowerment. By prioritizing these areas, the country can work towards achieving more balanced progress and potentially improve its global ranking. The experience of Tunisia and other countries highlights the complexities of measuring and achieving gender parity, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches and continued evaluation.
Key points
- Tunisia's score in the Global Gender Gap Index improved from 62.9% in 2006 to 65% in 2026.
- The country's ranking declined by 35 places, from 90th to 125th out of 145 economies.
- Tunisia's progress in education and healthcare contrasts with significant gaps in economic participation and political empowerment.
