Finding a job in Tunisia can be challenging, particularly for young people and recent university graduates, but opportunities exist across services, manufacturing, technology, tourism, healthcare, engineering, agriculture and other sectors.
The Tunisian employment market is different from that of major European economies. Competition for many positions is significant, while employers in specific industries continue to look for candidates with technical skills, foreign-language abilities and relevant professional experience.
Tunisia has a diversified economy with employment concentrated particularly in services and industry. The latest INS figures show that services account for approximately 52.9% of employed people, followed by manufacturing industries at approximately 19.0%, non-manufacturing industries at 12.3%, and agriculture and fishing at approximately 15.7%.
| Sector | Share of Employment | Examples of Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Services | 52.9% | IT, finance, retail, education, healthcare, administration, tourism |
| Manufacturing | 19.0% | Automotive, electronics, textiles, mechanical and electrical industries |
| Agriculture & Fishing | 15.7% | Farming, food production, fisheries and agricultural services |
| Non-Manufacturing Industries | 12.3% | Energy, construction, mining and related activities |
The employment figures above are based on the latest INS employment statistics available for the first quarter of 2026.
For many applicants, especially young graduates, finding a suitable job can be competitive. Tunisia's unemployment rate remains relatively high, and the situation is particularly difficult for younger workers and some university graduates.
Some sectors offer particularly important employment and investment opportunities in Tunisia.
Foreign investment data also shows the importance of industrial sectors. FIPA reported that industry accounted for 63.6% of international direct investment in Tunisia during the first nine months of 2025, with electrical, electronic, mechanical, textile and agri-food activities among the important recipient sectors.
Foreigners can work in Tunisia, but the rules are different from those applying to Tunisian citizens. A foreign national employed in Tunisia generally needs the appropriate employment documentation and a residence card authorizing salaried work.
The Tunisian Ministry of Employment states that foreign-worker procedures include different categories of authorization, including employment contracts and certificates of exemption from the employment-contract visa requirement.
Under Tunisia's Labour Code, a foreigner wishing to perform salaried work in Tunisia must generally have an employment contract and a residence card carrying the authorization to perform salaried employment. The legislation also provides specific rules concerning the recruitment of foreign workers.
The Ministry of Employment specifically lists categories including certain foreign managers, employees of investment-law companies, experts, employees working in hotels, associates and shareholders, among others.
Language ability can make a major difference when looking for work in Tunisia. The best language combination depends on the industry and employer.
| Language | Where It Can Help |
|---|---|
| Arabic | Local businesses, administration, public services and many domestic positions |
| French | Business, engineering, finance, healthcare, education and international companies |
| English | Technology, tourism, multinational companies, international business and remote work |
Graduates can improve their chances by combining their academic qualification with practical experience, internships, technical certifications, language skills and digital skills.
Entry-level employment is possible, although competition can be considerable. Applicants without professional experience should focus on positions where employers provide training or where transferable skills are valued.
Remote work can provide an alternative to the traditional local employment market, particularly for professionals with digital skills.
Software developers, designers, translators, digital marketers, online consultants and other specialists may work with international clients, subject to Tunisian tax, business and legal requirements applicable to their situation.
Tunisia continues to attract international investment, particularly in manufacturing and other productive sectors. FIPA reported that international investment reached 2.5887 billion Tunisian dinars during the first nine months of 2025, up 28.1% from the same period in 2024. These investments were associated with 11,554 new jobs.
Manufacturing was the largest recipient of international direct investment, followed by energy and services. This supports continued opportunities in industrial production, engineering, automotive components, electronics, mechanical activities, textiles and agri-foodd.
A good CV should clearly present your education, experience, technical skills, languages and professional achievements.
It depends heavily on your qualifications, experience, location, language skills and industry. The overall market is competitive, with unemployment at 15.0% in the first quarter of 2026. Young people and university graduates face particularly strong competition.
Services represent the largest share of employment, while manufacturing is also particularly important. IT, automotive components, electronics, engineering, tourism, healthcare, finance, logistics and agri-food can offer opportunities depending on qualifications and locations.
Yes. Greater Tunis is one of the country's most important concentrations of corporate, professional, government, technology and service-sector activity. FIPA reported that more than 42% of foreign direct investment received during the first half of 2025 was concentrated in Greater Tunis.
Yes, foreigners can work in Tunisia, but they must comply with the applicable employment and residence requirements. The Ministry of Employment provides specific procedures for foreign workers, including employment contracts and other authorization categories.
French is highly useful in many professional environments, particularly business, engineering, healthcare, technology and companies working with international markets. Arabic is also important, while English can provide an advantage in international companies and technology-related positions.
Tunisia's unemployment rate was 15.0% in the first quarter of 2026. Youth unemployment for people aged 15–24 was 37.5%, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
Yes. English can be useful in technology, tourism, multinational companies, international services, export-oriented businesses and remote work. However, French and Arabic can be important requirements for many local positions.
Finding a job in Tunisia is possible but not always easy. The market is competitive, especially for young people and recent graduates, but opportunities exist in services, manufacturing, technology, tourism, engineering, healthcare and export-oriented industries.
The strongest strategy is to combine relevant qualifications with practical experience, French or English language skills, digital abilities and targeted applications. Foreign professionals should also verify the applicable employment and residence requirements before starting work in Tunisia.