Kathmandu— Since the Tunisian uprising that sparked the Arab Spring in December 2010, the cost of living has surged dramatically. Al Jazeera compared prices of everyday essentials from 2010 to today, revealing substantial hikes in food costs and a significant devaluation of the Tunisian dinar against the US dollar.

Dramatic Price Increases

In December 2010, one United States dollar bought 1.47 Tunisian dinars; today it buys 2.93 dinars, meaning each dinar is worth only half of its value from 15 years ago. This devaluation has significantly impacted the cost of imported goods, which are paid for in dollars and euros. For instance, tomatoes have risen by 113 percent, chicken by 118 percent, and cooking oil by 129 percent since 2010.

Impact on Daily Life

The cost-of-living crisis has deeply affected Tunisians' daily lives. Abdessattar*, a 55-year-old from El Jem, notes that with the exception of subsidized goods, price increases are evident and significant. He observes that 20 to 40 dinars do not buy much anymore, as items like butter, cheese, cleaning products, and school snacks have all risen in price since last year.

Economic Policy and Subsidies

Tunisia has subsidized basic food items since 1970 through the General Compensation Fund. However, in late 2022, the government agreed to phase out universal food subsidies for targeted cash transfers to secure an IMF loan, though President Kais Saied halted these terms in 2023. This policy shift has created a two-tier basket of goods: subsidized items maintain fixed prices while unsubsidized ones have surged.

Public Sentiment and Challenges

Hamed el-Matri, an engineer and political activist who lived through the 2010 uprising, describes the results as disappointing. He notes that economic systems in Tunisia have weakened over the past five years with investment almost halted and the economy near stagnation. Yassine*, a father in Tunis, highlights the strain on public transport and school supplies, noting that second-hand goods are now common due to high prices.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.