Pension systems contribution determinants: a cross sectional analysis on Tunisia

ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis of pension coverage based on contribution density. This approach is justified by the fact that coverage rates do not give a clear indication of effective contribution and particularly cannot explain the low level of pensions in the private sector observed in many developing countries. After computing the contribution density of private sector workers in Tunisia, an econometric analysis based on administrative data identifies the determinants of this ratio. Results show that contribution density of the most vulnerable groups is very low compared to other workers. Women are more likely to contribute to the pension system and contribution density decreases with firms’ size.