Tunisia faces school dropout crisis amongst young men

Tunisia is facing a long standing education crisis as tens of thousands of students—mostly young men—drop out of school each year. While the problem has simmered since the 1980s, it escalated significantly after 2011, according to the Arab Weekly plus agencies   on the June 11th. 

The published results of the national exam in Tunisia saw that 62% of the nearly 152,000 students took the exam were young women. The percentage of women who passed neared the 64% mark, whereas male passing students stood at 35%, as reported by The Arab Weekly plus agencies. 

The exam- known by its French appellation- the baccalauréat- took place throughout the month of June. 

Despite laws mandating schooling until the age of 16, nearly 100,000 students leave the education system annually in a country of fewer than 11 million people.

Between 2010 and 2020 alone, an estimated one million students dropped out, according to figures from the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights. Experts warn the trend could have serious long-term implications for employment, inequality, and social stability.

No government has managed to resolve the crisis, as it extends beyond education policy and is deeply rooted in broader socioeconomic challenges, according to The Arab Weekly plus agencies. 

Research consistently shows that students from poorer regions and low-income families are far more likely to drop out of school. Parental education—particularly the mother’s literacy level—also plays a critical role in whether a child stays in school.

In remote parts of the country, especially in Tunisia’s rural northwest, the challenges are even more prominent. Long distances between home and school, coupled with a lack of reliable transportation, make daily attendance a struggle. In these same underdeveloped areas, students often report being unable to afford basic school supplies such as books and stationery.

Reported by Maghrebi on July 7th, Tunisia has signed a $38 million concessional loan agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to support the Oasis Hub Project, aimed at revitalising rural communities in the country’s south through infrastructure, agriculture, and housing development, according to The Arab Weekly plus agencies on June 30th.

At least one-third of students who drop out neither find employment nor continue their education through vocational or training programs, studies show.

Exam results also reveal gender disparities in academic choices. Male students tend to outperform females in physical education, computer science, and technical fields. While better access to sports may explain part of this, economic motivations are key. Technical and computer studies offer shorter training periods and better job opportunities—especially abroad.

For those unwilling or unable to pursue lengthy academic paths, these fields provide a practical alternative. The trend is evident: 95% of Tunisia’s computer engineers reportedly emigrate each year, highlighting a growing reliance on technical education as a pathway out.

According to sociologist Dorra Mahfoudh, young women are more likely than young men to internalise school discipline, largely due to stronger social and familial pressures. Their academic dedication, she notes, is often driven by a desire to gain independence and access the job market.

As a result, female students tend to remain in school longer and now outnumber male graduates at the university level.

However, Mahfoudh cautions that “gender inequality never disappears—it simply shifts.” Despite strong academic performance, young women often face significant barriers when transitioning into the workforce, highlighting persistent structural disparities.

The Arab Weekly, Maghrebi