Skills Across Borders: A Comparative Analysis of Labour Markets in Qatar and Tunisia

This policy brief explores differences in skills requirements in job roles in Qatar and Tunisia. In Qatar, jobs tend to require specialized, industry-aligned skills; in Tunisia, employers tend to place greater emphasis on cross-functional competencies. High unemployment in Tunisia, particularly among graduates, drives skilled workers to Qatar, many of whom take skilled jobs in the ICT, healthcare, education and administration sectors. The brief recommends targeted pre-migration training, cross-national certifications, and partnerships with Qatari employers to address skill gaps. It also calls for Tunisia to establish skills repatriation programmes to help it to make the best possible use of returning migrants’ expertise in developing the local work force. These strategies, if implemented, could contribute to enhancing Tunisian migrant workers’ employability abroad while fostering economic growth in their home country.