How Tunisia's Social Security Fights Poverty

In the heart of Tunisia, Metlaoui has been a hotspot for those facing poverty. A study looked into how social security helps battle this issue, focusing on 200 households struggling financially. The research used data from questionnaires taken between July 2012 and January 2014. Social security affects many aspects of life, like health, education, housing, and income. The study explored if social security helps households handle risks like economic shocks.The study found that social security can help households choose cheaper risk-coping strategies. However, those covered by social security didn't fully trust it and often used self-insurance or income smoothing. This highlighted that while social security is important, it's not enough. Especially for those not covered, dealing with heavy health costs is tough.