Poverty and Inequality in Tunisia: A Non-Monetary Approach (Pauvreté Et Inégalités En Tunisie: Une Approche Non Monétaire)

Abstract

In this study we construct a composite index from a set of non monetary household's living conditions indicators (WBCI) in order to analyze the evolution of poverty and inequality in Tunisia between 1988 and 2001 in a multidimensional perspective. We show that poverty has been a significant decrease during the study period although regional and rural/urban disparities remained unchanged. Poverty is essentially a rural phenomenon. North West and Centre West (NW, CW) regions remained the poorest areas of the country. Improvement of the lodging conditions and the access to communications tools (TV, radio) may be a serious option of any effort of fighting poverty. Inequality has been a sharp decrease during the same period. Nevertheless, the poorest regions and rural area have the most important contribution to the overall inequality. The decomposition of the inequalities by source show that the access to the communications tools and the possession of the durable goods contribute strongly to the well-being gaps between households.

Keywords: pauvreté, inégalité, Tunisie

JEL Classification: D31, D63, I30, I32