Tunisia's national labor force participation rates, as well as urban and rural participation rates declined between 1984-89. However, the evolution of employment showed substantial differences between rural and urban areas, and across sectors. There has been a clear shift of labor force and employment into urban areas, at the expense of rural areas. Informal Sector Work. Tunisia's unemployment rate is a long-standing problem, is mainly urban, and affects women more than men.
Unemployment also tends to be higher among poor household heads.
A larger proportion of households in the lowest expenditure groups were headed by an unemployed person, according to the 1990 Household Consumption survey. High unemployment rates were also found among the non-poor, particularly young individuals and women, while urban unemployment particularly affected women and young people seeking a first job. Under-employment affected mainly the rural sector, and particularly women, according to the latest available data. Annex C. Women in Public Life Tunisian women have entered public life in increasing numbers over the past two decades, and an increasing number of women occupy decision-making positions in public office and political bodies. The number of women's associations has also grown significantly since the 1980s, from one in 1987 to over 20 in 1995.