How Social Security Helps Fight Poverty in Tunisia

Between July 2012 and January 2014, researchers in Tunisia studied how social security impacts poverty in the city of Metlaoui. They surveyed 200 households to understand their reactions to risks like illness, unemployment, and other economic shocks. Social security can affect many areas of life, including health, education, housing, and income. The study looked at how families manage risks with full or partial support from social security.Results showed that households with social security chose cheaper coping strategies, but they still felt insecure and often relied on self-insurance or income smoothing. This is because social security services didn't fully meet their needs, especially for households without coverage. Uncovered households faced high health costs, highlighting the inadequacy of current social security systems.