2007 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: 24.6% (male 1,293,235/female 1,212,994) 15-64 years: 68.6% (male 3,504,283/female 3,478,268) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 327,521/female 358,713) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

30 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

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 (2006)

total

14

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m

7 (2006)

Area

land

155,360 sq km

total

163,610 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Background

Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in getting the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first 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. Tunisia has long 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

15.52 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$8.734 billion; including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$7.728 billion

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

36 48 N, 10 11 E

name

Tunis

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

$-760 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

5.13 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$18.37 billion (30 June 2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador designate Robert F. GODEC

embassy

Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053

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 Nejib HACHANA

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40 (2005 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$328 million (2004)

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. Increased rain helped to push GDP growth to an average rate of 5% in 2003-06. However, a recession in agriculture, weak expansion in the tourism and textile sectors, and increasing import costs due to rising world energy prices cut growth to 4% in 2006. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade with the EU. 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

10.97 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

15 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

5 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

11.81 billion kWh (2004)

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 - 1.31281 (2006), 1.2974 (2005), 1.2455 (2004), 1.2885 (2003), 1.4217 (2002)

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 (no term limits); 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

$11.61 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons

Exports - partners

France 30.8%, Italy 21%, Germany 9.3%, Spain 5.5%, Libya 4.4% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

[216] 71 107-090

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

12.8%

industry

31%

services

56.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,600 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$32.95 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$87.88 billion (2006 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

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

highest 10%

31.8% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$13.89 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

France 25.8%, Italy 23.1%, Germany 9.6%, Spain 5.6% (2005)

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

4.7% (2006 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

20.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

26.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

23.84 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.6% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.tn

Internet hosts

428 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

953,800 (2005) Transportation Tunisia

Investment (gross fixed)

22.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

3,940 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Labor force

3.502 million

note

shortage of skilled labor (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

55%

industry

23%

services

22% (1995 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

total

1,424 km

Land use

arable land

17.05%

other

69.87% (2005)

permanent crops

13.08%

Languages

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral system consists of the Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (189 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Advisors (126 seats; 85 members elected by municipal counselors, deputies, mayors, and professional associations and trade unions; 41 members are presidential appointees; members serve six-year terms)

election results

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RCD 152, MDS 14, PUP 11, UDU 7, Al-Tajdid 3, PSL 2; Chamber of Advisors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RCD 71 (14 trade union seats vacant (boycotted))

elections

Chamber of Deputies - last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); Chamber of Advisors - last held 3 July 2005 (next to be held July 2011)

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.96 years (2006 est.)

male

73.4 years

total population

75.12 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) (2007)

Manpower available for military service

females age 20-49

2,406,362 (2005 est.)

males age 20-49

2,441,741

Manpower fit for military service

females age 20-49

2,000,757 (2005 est.)

males age 20-49

2,035,431

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 20-49

103,087 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

108,817

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

28.3 years (2006 est.)

male

27.3 years

total

27.8 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 4 (2006)

total

9 ships (1000 GRT or over) 146,759 GRT/115,118 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'tunisia) (2006)

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

3.7 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.3 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

2.4 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

77.87 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

89,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

81,530 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.7 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

gas 2,945 km; oil 1,227 km; refined products 351 km (2006)

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)]; Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI]; 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 [Ahmed INOUBLI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

18 October Group [collective leadership]; Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha Ben JAFAAR]; Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI]; note - the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is outlawed

Population

10,175,014 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

7.4% (2005 est.)

Population growth rate

0.99% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Skhira Military Tunisia

Public debt

57.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

2.06 million (1997)

Railways

dual gauge

8 km 1.435 m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2005)

narrow gauge

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

standard gauge

471 km 1.435-m gauge

total

2,153 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.646 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

12,655 km (including 262 km of expressways)

total

19,232 km

unpaved

6,577 km (2004)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal except for active duty military

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

1,257,500 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.681 million (2005)

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

1.74 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.9% (2006 est.)