Evaluation of Tunisian regions’ efficiency using DEA and Tobit models

Abstract

The main objective of the Tunisian regional policy in the forthcoming period is to reduce disparities between the regions. Within this scope, regions try to benefit from a set of socioeconomic factors in order to reduce poverty, to increase employability and achieve a standard rate of economic growth. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the way each Tunisian delegation utilizes its resources in order to achieve regional development. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is adopted in order to evaluate the efficiency of Tunisian delegations in the year 2010, the year preceding the Tunisian revolution. Efficiency scores are consequently explained using Tobit analysis with a set of relevant explanatory variables playing the role of non-discretionary inputs.