Tunisia: Over 1.6 Million People, 44% of Active Population, Operating in Informal Economy
In Tunisia, approximately 1.6 million people, or around 44% of the active population, are operating outside the formal economy without complete access to legal and social protection mechanisms, according to participants in a high-level dialogue on the informal economy held in Hammamet.
The meeting, organized in partnership with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law and the National Register of Enterprises, highlighted the need to develop concrete solutions to reduce the scope of the informal sector and strengthen mechanisms for economic and social inclusion.
According to a statement from the National Register of Enterprises, the aim of this initiative is to engage in operational reflection based on reliable data to improve access to justice and support economic stability.
In the same context, the results of a study on justice needs for 2025 reveal that legal difficulties affect both individuals and businesses. Specifically, six out of ten unregistered businesses have faced at least one legal issue over the past two years.
The discussions, which brought together representatives from public institutions and experts, focused on clarifying the concept of the informal economy and identifying its main structural and institutional challenges.
The organizers emphasized that this meeting marks the starting point of a collaborative working process based on data, aimed at strengthening access to justice and encouraging the gradual integration of the informal economy into the formal circuit.
Key Statistics:
- 1.6 million people (44% of active population) operating in informal economy
- 6 out of 10 unregistered businesses faced at least one legal issue over past two years
- Need for concrete solutions to reduce scope of informal sector and strengthen economic and social inclusion mechanisms
