2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 1,316,308/female 1,234,309) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 3,437,880/female 3,418,591) 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 321,287/female 346,576) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds

Airports

30 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.) Military Tunisia

Area

land

155,360 sq km

total

163,610 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Background

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society. Geography Tunisia

Birth rate

15.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$7.573 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2004 est.)

revenues

$6.799 billion

Capital

Tunis

Climate

temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

Coastline

1,148 km

Constitution

1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002

Country name

conventional long form

Tunisian Republic

conventional short form

Tunisia

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form

Tunis

Currency (code)

Tunisian dinar (TND)

Currency code

TND

Current account balance

$71.85 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$14.71 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador William J. HUDSON

embassy

Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis, 2045 La Goulette, Tunisia

FAX

[216] 71 962-115

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[216] 71 107-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

chief of mission

Ambassador Mohamed Nejib HACHANA

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Distribution of family income - Gini index

41.7 (1995)

Economic aid - recipient

$114.6 million (2002)

Economy - overview

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism. Better rains in 2003 and 2004, however, helped push GDP growth above 5% for these years. Tourism also recovered after the end of combat operations in Iraq. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade with the European Union. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.

Electricity - consumption

10.05 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

10 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

90 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

10.72 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

99.5%

hydro

0.5%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

lowest point

Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

Environment - current issues

toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Exchange rates

Tunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.2455 (2004), 1.2885 (2003), 1.4217 (2002), 1.4387 (2001), 1.3707 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987)

election results

President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999)

Exports

$9.926 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons

Exports - partners

France 33.1%, Italy 25.3%, Germany 9.2%, Spain 6.1% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Tunisia

Flag description

red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Tunisia

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

13.8%

industry

31.8%

services

54.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$70.88 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

34 00 N, 9 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration People Tunisia

Government type

republic

Highways

paved

12,424 km (including 142 km of expressways)

total

18,997 km

unpaved

6,573 km (2001)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.8% (1995)

Imports

$11.52 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

France 25.1%, Italy 19%, Germany 8.5%, Spain 5.3% (2004)

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

4.4% (2004 est.)

Industries

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Infant mortality rate

female

21.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

27.68 deaths/1,000 live births

total

24.77 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.tn

Internet hosts

281 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

630,000 (2003) Transportation Tunisia

Investment (gross fixed)

24.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

3,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Labor force

3.55 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

total

1,424 km

Land use

arable land

17.86%

other

68.4% (2001)

permanent crops

13.74%

Languages

Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Legal system

based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (189 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RCD 152, MDS 14, PUP 11, UDU 7, Al-Tajdid 3, PSL 2

elections

last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.71 years (2005 est.)

male

73.2 years

total population

74.89 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

65.3% (2004 est.) Government Tunisia

male

83.4%

total population

74.3%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A

vectorborne diseases

may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 20-49: 2,441,741 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 20-49: 2,035,431 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

108,817 (2005 est.)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

27.82 years (2005 est.)

male

26.78 years

total

27.29 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 5, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries

3 (2005)

total

12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 124,733 GRT/122,664 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force (2003)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$356 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.5% (FY99) Transnational Issues Tunisia

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

Nationality

adjective

Tunisian

noun

Tunisian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

3.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.58 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

2.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

77.16 billion cu m (2004)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Net migration rate

-0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

87,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

72,580 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Al-Tajdid Movement [Ali HALOUANI]; Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD [President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA]; Progressive Democratic Party [Nejib CHEBBI]; Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed

Population

10,074,951 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

7.6% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

0.99% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Skhira

Public debt

59.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

2.06 million (1997)

Railways

dual gauge

10 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2004)

narrow gauge

1,674 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)

standard gauge

468 km 1.435-m gauge

total

2,152 km

Religions

Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.509 billion (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and microwave radio relay

general assessment

above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet access available

international

country code - 216; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches

Telephones - main lines in use

1,163,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1,899,900 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

920,000 (1997)

Terrain

mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.8% (2004 est.)