Is the Over-education a Temporary Phenomenon? Case of Tunisian Higher Education Graduates

Abstract

This work analyzes the phenomenon of normative overeducation in the case of Tunisian higher education graduate cohort 2004. Two interrogations are presented in the survey. The first is realized 18 months after graduation and the second 3 years after. The results of the first investigation are used in the probit model to study the extent of the phenomenon of overeducation at the first recruiting. The second interrogation is used to study the overeducation time horizon. The characteristics of employment present more significant effects on the probability of overeducation than those of the training. Among characteristics we consider the stability of employment, the branch of industry and the nature of employment (public/private). Results show that there is a diplomas hierarchy vis-a-vis the risk of overeducation. The most abundant diplomas on the labor market are not only victims of unemployment but also the most exposed to the risk of overeducation. To complete this analysis we integrate the fields of study effect. Graduates of discipline receiving the mass are more exposed to the risk of overeducation. Probit estimation results using the second interrogation show that the certification does not have any effect on the probability of overeducation. Only the stability of employment presents a significant effect on the work condition improvement of Tunisian higher education graduates initially overeducated. Results are confirmed throught multiple components analysis.