With Ramadan just a few days away, a period traditionally marked by increased food spending, the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) is sounding the alarm. In a statement released on February 17, 2026, the organization warns of a continuing deterioration in living conditions in Tunisia and denounces the lack of a truly participatory economic and social policy.

Inflation: apparent stability, real pressure 

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the annual inflation rate for 2025 stood at around 5.3%. This figure could suggest relative stabilization after the peaks recorded in recent years.

But behind this overall indicator, the rise in the price of basic necessities remains particularly marked. Fresh vegetables have increased by more than 25%, fruit by nearly 20%, while meat has seen increases of between 10% and 18% compared to the previous year.

For low- and middle-income households, which spend a significant portion of their budget on food, transportation, and essential services, these increases translate into an effective decline in purchasing power. 

Household budgets under pressure 

The evolution of Tunisian household spending highlights a growing fragility. Food products, which have become increasingly expensive, account for a substantial share of income, leaving ever-smaller margins for education, health, or even the slightest capacity for savings.

Against a backdrop of high public debt, limited budgetary resources, and financial choices dictated by the urgent need for macroeconomic balance, public policies seem to favor fiscal discipline over effectively preserving citizens' real income.

The Tunisian League for Human Rights points out that the decline in purchasing power goes beyond the economic sphere alone: it is a direct cause of social tensions and a factor that weakens the bond of trust between the state and society.

Between official indicators and everyday reality 

Several recent economic analyses agree: while overall inflation appears to be "under control" on paper, the financial pressure felt by families remains intense.

• Expenditures related to food, health, and education are absorbing an increasing share of income, drastically reducing households' ability to save and plan ahead.
• The relative decline in inflation compared to previous peaks does not offset the accumulation of past increases or the gradual erosion of real purchasing power.
• Consumer protection associations warn against pricing practices deemed opaque, citing speculation and market distortions that fuel a sense of economic injustice.

Beyond the statistics, a structural malaise is taking hold: that of a growing gap between macroeconomic indicators and the reality experienced by the majority of households.

Social dialogue on hold 

The organization is also concerned about the suspension of wage negotiations and discussions on collective agreements, particularly with the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT).

For the League, social dialogue is an essential mechanism for mitigating economic tensions. Its weakening exposes the country to unilateral management of budgetary adjustments, with the most vulnerable groups bearing the brunt of the sacrifices.

Collective bargaining and union action are, as the LTDH points out, fundamental rights recognized by national and international legal standards.

Rejecting austerity without consultation 

The LTDH believes that the way out of the crisis cannot be based on austerity policies decided without consultation. It calls for the immediate resumption of social negotiations, wage adjustments indexed to the real increase in the cost of living, and tax reform that promotes better redistribution.

For the organization, the issue of purchasing power relates to the dignity of citizens and the constitutional responsibility of the state to guarantee economic and social rights.

The League attributes responsibility for the deterioration in living conditions to the authorities in power, considering that protecting purchasing power is not a slogan or an optional choice, but a public obligation.

With Ramadan approaching, a symbolic period of solidarity and cohesion, the alert issued by the LTDH takes on a particular significance: social justice is not a budgetary adjustment variable, but a foundation of national stability.

A social crisis that resonates far beyond the indicators 

This gap between macroeconomic figures and people's everyday experiences is clearly evident in debates on social media and citizen forums. In response to these tensions, the LTDH is calling not only for urgent economic measures—resumption of social dialogue, wages indexed to the real cost of living, tax reforms—but also for public recognition of social sentiment. 

In this context, the issue of purchasing power is no longer limited to being an economic indicator: it has become a symbol of inequality, perceived injustice, and a lack of trust between the Tunisian authorities and civil society—a challenge that, according to citizens active on digital platforms, could weigh heavily on the country's social landscape in the coming months.