Drought-stricken Tunisia hikes water prices by 16%

Amid its worst drought in decades, Tunisian authorities announced a 16% hike in water prices, a move that may further erode the already frail social peace foundations.

The government has proceeded to water cuts and rationing in addition to a ban of irrigation in some main farming areas, further undermining the revenue of already impoverished farmers.

Dam filling rate in the country averages 30% as Tunisia struggles with the repercussions of the fifth dry year in a row.

Tunisia has a heavily subsidized economy where the state controls the prices of public commodities such as water and electricity as well as fuel and foodstuff.