Does the health status converge between Tunisian governorates?

Abstract

Since independence, Tunisia's healthcare sector has benefitted from development efforts, leading to a sustained improvement in the population's health. However, this progress has not occurred at the same pace across all governorates. Therefore, it is relevant to examine the convergence of health status between Tunisian governorates from 2004 to 2021 focusing on life expectancy at birth as a key indicator of health status. Based on two main concepts of convergence—sigma and beta convergence—we analyze regional disparities in health and assess whether less-advantaged governorates are catching up with more developed ones. We employ a dynamic panel data model estimated using the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The findings reveal conditional beta convergence in life expectancy. Key determinants influencing life expectancy include urbanization and household size, which negatively affect health outcomes. While the density of general practitioners and private physicians per thousand inhabitants positively contribute to improving life expectancy.