Advancing Data-Driven Policy in Tunisia: A Strategic Model of Support

Under the Tunisia Economic Resilience and Inclusion (TERI) Umbrella Program, the World Bank is supporting the modernization of Tunisia’s national statistical system. Amid resource limitations and ongoing social disparities, these efforts aim to build capacity, improve data quality, and promote evidence-based policymaking.

Key support to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and to other research institutions such as the Center for Research and Social Studies (CRES) is contributing to an integrated, modern, and efficient statistical ecosystem. These institutions are now better positioned to deliver high-quality socio-economic data and policy-relevant analyses.

Building National Data Literacy

A flagship initiative in this agenda is the first Tunisia Data Literacy Program, launched in March 2024 in partnership with INS. Through group technical trainings and one-on-one mentoring sessions, the program has helped over 100 public officials and researchers gain advanced statistical and analytical skills using tools like STATA (a software widely used for socio-economic analysis). Ten policy-relevant research projects were developed and presented during the first international conference on “Reliable Data and Comprehensive Analyses to Foster Evidence-Based Decision-Making”, highlighting the growing national capacity in applied research.

Supporting Data Production and Policy Impact

Beyond training, the program has supported data production, dissemination, and use. This includes technical assistance to INS for the 2024 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH24) and preparations for the upcoming 2025 National Survey on the Budget, Consumption and Standard of Living (EBCNV).

The program also developed the Fiscal Incidence Analysis and a microsimulation tool with the Ministry of Finance, using the Commitment to Equity (CEQ) methodology. These directly informed reform scenarios of the 2025 Budget Law — illustrating how data and modeling can contribute to more equitable and effective fiscal policy.

A Two-Pillar Model for Long-Term Sustainability

These efforts are guided by a strategic approach based on two complementary pillars:

• Building national analytical capacity through targeted training and mentorship, enabling institutions to independently produce and use data.
• Enhancing standardization, quality, and accessibility of data and statistics to foster transparency, policy dialogue, and public trust.

Together, this approach is helping Tunisia shift toward a sustainable, institutionalized model for evidence-based decision making. By reinforcing both data production and its use in national planning and budgeting, the TERI-supported program offers a replicable example of how to align statistics with inclusive, results-oriented development priorities.

This momentum comes at a pivotal moment, as Tunisia seeks to address complex socio-economic challenges through better-targeted interventions and more transparent policy action.

Looking Ahead

The World Bank will remain engaged in building on the progress achieved. In collaboration with other United Nations (UN) agencies, the team will support thematic analyses of RGPH24, focusing on gender, migration, education, employment, social protection, and the elderly. Moving forward, capacity building, data quality, and results dissemination will remain central to advancing the modernization of Tunisia’s national statistical system.