Low Salaries and the Quest for Better Living Conditions Drive Tunisian Nurses to Emigrate, Study Finds
Published in the January 2026 issue of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (ISST)
A recent study released by the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (ISST) reveals that low wages and the desire for an improved quality of life are the primary motivations behind the emigration of Tunisian nurses. In the survey, 84.6 % of health professionals cited low salaries, while 76.9 % pointed to the pursuit of better living conditions as major reasons for leaving the country.
Key Findings
| Factor | Percentage of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Low salaries | 84.6 % |
| Desire for better living conditions | 76.9 % |
| Lack of continuous professional development | 57.7 % |
| Difficult working conditions | 53.8 % |
| Insufficient recognition of professional effort | 38.5 % |
The research also highlights several structural determinants that push paramedical staff toward exile:
- 57.7 % of participants noted the absence of ongoing professional advancement opportunities.
- 53.8 % complained about harsh working conditions.
- 38.5 % felt their efforts were not adequately recognized.
Preferred Destinations
Europe absorbs the bulk of these migration flows. The top three host countries are:
| Destination | Share of Departures |
|---|---|
| Germany | 40.4 % |
| Canada | 28.8 % |
| Italy | 21.2 % |
Study Design
The investigation was conducted by a team of occupational physicians from Habib Thameur Hospital (Tunis) and the Zaghouan regional health authority. It focused on a sample of 52 nurses who had been abroad for at least six months. Data collection took place between 15 March and 15 April 2024.
- Public sector background: 48 of the 52 respondents were employed in the public sector before emigrating.
- Sociodemographic profile:
- Average age: 33.4 years
- Gender distribution: 31 men and 21 women (slight male predominance)
- Marital status: 27 participants were married, indicating that family commitments heavily influence the decision to seek a better future abroad.
Most Affected Specialties
The “brain‑drain” is especially pronounced in two critical areas:
| Specialty | Number of Nurses Who Left |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine | 17 |
| Anesthesia & Intensive Care | 15 |
Implications: The findings underscore a pressing need for policy reforms in Tunisia’s health sector—particularly around salary structures, career development pathways, and workplace conditions—to stem the outflow of skilled nursing personnel.
Keywords: Tunisian nurses, emigration, low salaries, living conditions, occupational health, brain drain, Germany, Canada, Italy, healthcare workforce, professional development.
