Widening Educational Gaps: 2024 Census Uncovers Stark Illiteracy Rates and Gender Disparities Across Tunisia

(3 Minutes Read)

The 2024 national population census has shed light on a deeply concerning issue in Tunisia: widespread illiteracy, particularly in the country’s interior regions. The statistics expose not only high rates of illiteracy across several governorates but also a troubling gender divide, with women disproportionately impacted.

According to the latest census, illiteracy remains alarmingly high in several governorates, most of which are in central and northwestern Tunisia—areas that have historically faced economic and developmental challenges.

The top five governorates with the highest illiteracy rates are:

• Jendouba: 28.5%
• Kairouan: 27.9%
• Sidi Bouzid: 26.2%
• Kasserine: 25.8%
• Siliana: 25.4%

These figures highlight significant regional disparities in access to education and suggest that many communities, particularly in rural and economically marginalised areas, continue to be left behind. The census also reveals a significant gender gap in literacy levels. In each of the five governorates with the highest illiteracy rates, women are far more likely to be illiterate than men. The gender-based differences are as follows:

• Jendouba: 36.5% of women are illiterate compared to 20% of men
• Kairouan: 36.2% of women vs. 19.2% of men
• Sidi Bouzid: 34.9% of women vs. 17.2% of men
• Kasserine: 34.7% of women vs. 16.5% of men
• Siliana: 34% of women vs. 16.6% of men

These statistics underscore how structural gender inequalities continue to undermine educational progress, particularly in conservative or underserved communities.

The data reflects not only a failure in achieving equitable educational outcomes but also the persistence of deep-rooted socio-economic and gender-based disparities. The concentration of illiteracy in interior regions is symptomatic of broader issues such as poverty, limited educational infrastructure, and inadequate public investment in human development.

The persistent gender gap points to cultural, logistical, and systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing and completing formal education. These include early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and societal norms that prioritise female education.

The findings of the 2024 census serve as a wake-up call for Tunisian policymakers and civil society. There is an urgent need for comprehensive, inclusive, and gender-sensitive strategies that prioritise education as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of sustainable development. These strategies must include:

• Expanding access to schools in rural and underserved areas
• Implementing adult literacy programs, especially for women
• Addressing socio-cultural barriers that hinder female education
• Increasing public investment in education, teacher training, and infrastructure
• Monitoring and evaluating the impact of literacy programs more effectively

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Tunisia now stands at a crossroads. If the country is to achieve its developmental goals and ensure long-term social cohesion, addressing illiteracy, particularly among women and in disadvantaged regions, must become a national priority. Equal access to education is not just a human right; it is essential for reducing inequality, fostering economic resilience, and building a just and inclusive society.