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Tunisia continues to grapple with an escalating cost-of-living crisis that has persisted long after the 2010 Arab Spring uprising. The movement, ignited by street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s protest against economic hardship, eventually toppled President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and multiple regional leaders. Yet nearly 16 years later, everyday Tunisians report that affording basic necessities has become increasingly difficult, with some arguing conditions have deteriorated further since the revolution.
An investigation comparing food prices reveals the dramatic extent of inflation across essential items. Tomato prices have surged 113 percent since 2010, while chicken costs jumped 118 percent and cooking oil climbed 129 percent. Vegetables show even steeper increases, with carrots rising 428 percent and potatoes climbing 268 percent. This inflation has been partly driven by currency depreciation, as the Tunisian dinar has lost approximately half its value against the dollar over the period. Since Tunisia imports substantial quantities of food abroad and pays in foreign currency, the weakened dinar translates directly to higher supermarket prices for consumers.
The impact extends beyond groceries into daily life. Residents report that subsidized goods have disappeared from shelves, forcing families to purchase second-hand school supplies and clothing. Public transportation has become unreliable, pushing households toward costly private transit options. While the government maintains price controls on select staples through a decades-old subsidy program, the removal of many items from protection has created a two-tier system where unsubsidized products have experienced dramatic price increases that stretch household budgets to the breaking point.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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