A complementary cash transfer programme to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children in Tunisia: What are the lessons learned for the development of human capital?

Abstract

In 2020, Tunisia experienced its worst economic downturn since the country’s independence in 1956. It was one of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) most severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The incidence of child poverty, which was already relatively high compared to the adult poverty rate, increased in the wake of the crisis and related responses. The adverse effects of the pandemic on the development of human capital may, over time, jeopardise the country’s productivity, hinder prospects for economic growth and deepen inequalities. This Policy Research Brief provides an overview of the Tunisian context, its pandemic response, and provides recommendations for future interventions.