Tunisia in the spiral of inflation

Market day in Ariana, near Tunis, on the first day of Ramadan, April 2, 2022. AFP - FETHI BELAID

Text by: Amira Souilem Follow

2 mins

In Tunisia, inflation occupies all the discussions.

The rise in prices further weakens a population already very affected by repeated crises.

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From our correspondent in Tunis

, 

In Tunisia, all you have to do is strain your ears to hear citizens complain about the increase in the price of basic foodstuffs.

Always, the same report in the mouth of the Tunisians: “

”.

This is what we hear everywhere, in the street, supermarkets, markets, taxis, on the radio.

Indeed, the precariousness of Tunisian society can be seen visibly.

In the streets, more and more beggars are appearing and recently night marauding among the homeless in Tunis have even been set up.

A completely new situation.

Once the pride of the country, the Tunisian middle class has melted like snow in the sun since the revolution. 

A multifaceted crisis

The crisis did not wait for the war in Ukraine and its consequences on the price of cereals to start.

During all these years, several layers have been superimposed.

After the revolution, there was political instability, attacks, the

, the Covid crisis, and now, the war in Ukraine which contributes to increasing - as everywhere else - the price of certain foodstuffs.

Alongside the soaring prices, the salaries of Tunisians are not increasing or increasing very little.

The minimum wage is around 400 dinars or about 125 euros. 

Adapt

In this month of Ramadan, meat is becoming rarer in cooked dishes.

Some families are no longer able to eat it elsewhere.

Bread - which remains subsidized - makes it possible to satiate a large part of the population.

But until when ?

Flour shortages are already being felt in the country and doubts remain about Tunisia's ability to continue to buy

as these continue to rise.

►

in Tunisia: bread at the center of all attention

►

[Press review]: a Ramadan under the sign of increases and shortages

Faced with this situation, the European Union has just released 20 million euros in additional aid to help Tunisia finance its purchases.

A short-term solution that hides badly the economic slump that is shaking the country in full negotiations to obtain loans from the IMF.

While waiting to see more clearly, the Tunisians make fun of the situation.

On social networks in particular, the "

", corrosive humor that Tunisians love is wreaking havoc.

►

Tunisia: when you only have humor

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