Tunisia: Statistics debunk claim of three million single women

A striking claim that Tunisia has three million single women is being debunked by official statistics, revealing a more nuanced demographic reality.

The figure, often used in debates surrounding the Personal Status Code, suggests nearly half of Tunisia's female population is unmarried. However, data from the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing (Rgph), conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), contradicts this assertion.

Tunisia's total population is just under 12 million, with women making up 50.7%. The census highlights a significant trend toward later marriages, especially for men. This shift is attributed to profound changes in lifestyles, increased access to education and employment, housing challenges, and evolving aspirations among younger generations.

Analyzing the age pyramid, the census indicates Tunisia is aging, with those 60 and over comprising 16.9% of the population. Crucially, the 18-35 age bracket, considered the prime age for marriage, is estimated to include about 3.12 million people, with a near-equal split between men and women. This means the number of women in this age group is approximately 1.55 million, making the "three million single women" figure statistically impossible if referring to this demographic.

Even if the "three million" figure aims to encompass all "unmarried" women of any age, including divorcees and widows, the distinction between "unmarried" and "single" is critical. The Rgph 2024 data clearly differentiates marital statuses, showing 34% of individuals aged 15 and over are single, while 57.7% are married.