70 million dinars annually… cost of 50,000 irregular migrants in Sfax

Tunisia bears an annual economic cost of about 68 million dinars for approximately 50,000 irregular migrants in the Sfax region, according to a study on the economic impact of irregular migrants in Sfax.

The study, conducted by financial risk specialist Mourad Hattab, indicates that this amount covers expenses associated with health, housing, public services, sanitation, and other basic needs.

The estimated cost of healthcare is 200 dinars annually, housing costs amount to 600 dinars (with an individual housing cost of 50 dinars per month), public services cost 360 dinars (with a public service cost of 30 dinars per month per person), sanitation and public cleanliness are estimated at 50 dinars yearly per person, and other costs (education, integration) are approximately 150 dinars annually, according to the study.

Hattab added that if development burdens, estimated at 50 million dinars annually for the region, are included, the total burden of irregular migration in Sfax reaches 70 million dinars per year.

The study’s findings are founded on available public expenditure data, migrant costs, and their impact on key sectors such as the labour market, healthcare, housing, and education. The costs were estimated using realistic assumptions and comparisons with similar cases in other regions.