2014 Edition

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. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. Street protests that began in Tunis in December 2010 over high unemployment, corruption, widespread poverty, and high food prices escalated in January 2011, culminating in rioting that led to hundreds of deaths. On 14 January 2011, the same day BEN ALI dismissed the government, he fled the country, and by late January 2011, a "national unity government" was formed. Elections for the new Constituent Assembly were held in late October 2011, and in December, it elected human rights activist Moncef MARZOUKI as interim president. The Assembly began drafting a new constitution in February 2012 and, after several iterations and a months-long political crisis that stalled the transition, ratified the document in January 2014. Presidential and parliamentary elections for a permanent government could be held by the end of 2014.

Area

163,610 sq km 155,360 sq km 8,250 sq km

total

163,610 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

Area comparison map:

Climate

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

Coastline

1,148 km

Elevation extremes

Shatt al Gharsah -17 m Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

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 freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

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 Marine Life Conservation

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.85 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%) 295.8 cu m/yr (2001)

per capita

295.8 cu m/yr (2001)

total

2.85 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)

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

Irrigated land

3,970 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

1,424 km Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

border countries

Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

total

1,424 km

Land use

17.35% 14.63% 68.02% (2011)

arable land

17.35%

other

68.02% (2011)

permanent crops

14.63%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 12 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

4.6 cu km (2011)

Age structure

23% (male 1,298,262/female 1,219,086) 16% (male 879,755/female 871,954) 44.6% (male 2,373,765/female 2,509,750) 8.4% (male 468,278/female 454,170) 7.7% (male 423,350/female 439,151) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

23% (male 1,298,262/female 1,219,086)

15-24 years

16% (male 879,755/female 871,954)

25-54 years

44.6% (male 2,373,765/female 2,509,750)

55-64 years

8.4% (male 468,278/female 454,170)

65 years and over

7.7% (male 423,350/female 439,151) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.9 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.3% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

63% (2012)

Death rate

5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

43.9 % 33.4 % 10.5 % 9.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.5 %

potential support ratio

9.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.9 %

youth dependency ratio

33.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 90.5% of population total: 96.8% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 9.5% of population total: 3.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

9.5% of population

total

3.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,300 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

23.19 deaths/1,000 live births 26.63 deaths/1,000 live births 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

19.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

23.19 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)

Life expectancy at birth

75.68 years 73.6 years 77.9 years (2014 est.)

female

77.9 years (2014 est.)

total population

75.68 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 79.1% 87.4% 71.1% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

71.1% (2010 est.)

male

87.4%

total population

79.1%

Major urban areas - population

TUNIS (capital) 790,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

56 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

31.4 years 31 years 31.8 years (2014 est.)

female

31.8 years (2014 est.)

male

31 years

total

31.4 years

Nationality

Tunisian(s) Tunisian

adjective

Tunisian

noun

Tunisian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.3% (2008)

Physicians density

1.22 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

10,937,521 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.92% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official; Sunni) 99.1%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) 1%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.4% of population rural: 76.6% of population total: 90.4% of population urban: 2.6% of population rural: 23.4% of population total: 9.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

23.4% of population

total

9.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 14 years 15 years (2010)

female

15 years (2010)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.96 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

42.3% (2011)

total

42.3% (2011)

Urbanization

66.3% of total population (2011) 1.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

66.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

24 governorates (wilayat, singular - wilayah); 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), L'Ariana (Aryanah), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bouzid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan)

Capital

Tunis 36 48 N, 10 11 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

36 48 N, 10 11 E

name

Tunis

time difference

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

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014 (2014)

Country name

Tunisian Republic Tunisia Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah Tunis

conventional long form

Tunisian Republic

conventional short form

Tunisia

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form

Tunis

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jake WALLES (since 24 July 2012) Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 use embassy street address [216] 71 107-000 [216] 71 963-263

chief of mission

Ambassador Jake WALLES (since 24 July 2012)

embassy

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

FAX

[216] 71 963-263

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[216] 71 107-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mhamed Ezzine CHELAIFA (since 10 March 2014) 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 862-1850 [1] (202) 862-1858

chancery

1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

chief of mission

Ambassador Mhamed Ezzine CHELAIFA (since 10 March 2014)

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

Executive branch

the interim government remains in power pending a general election slated for late 2014 President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 12 December 2011) Prime Minister Mehdi JOMAA (since 29 January 2014) selected by the prime minister and approved by the Constituent Assembly president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president President MARZOUKI re-elected president; Constituent Assembly vote - 153 of 156

cabinet

selected by the prime minister and approved by the Constituent Assembly

chief of state

President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 12 December 2011)

election results

President MARZOUKI re-elected president; Constituent Assembly vote - 153 of 156

elections

president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Mehdi JOMAA (since 29 January 2014)

Flag description

red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; resembles the Ottoman flag (red banner with white crescent and star) and recalls Tunisia's history as part of the Ottoman Empire; red represents the blood shed by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire

Government type

republic

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (organized into civil and criminal chambers and consists of NA judges) judges nominated by the Higher Magistracy Council (also called the Superior Council of the Judiciary), a 7-member body of judges and prosecutors; judges appointed by presidential decree; judge tenure NA Administrative Court; Courts of Appeal; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (organized into civil and criminal chambers and consists of NA judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges nominated by the Higher Magistracy Council (also called the Superior Council of the Judiciary), a 7-member body of judges and prosecutors; judges appointed by presidential decree; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

Administrative Court; Courts of Appeal; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Constituent Assembly (217 seats); note - the legislative role of the Constituent Assembly remains unclear initial election of 217 Constituent Assembly members held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held NA) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al-Nahda 89, CPR 29, Popular Petition 26, FDTL 20, PDP 16, PDM 5, The Initiative 5, Afek Tounes 4, PCOT 3, other minor parties each with fewer than three seats 20

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al-Nahda 89, CPR 29, Popular Petition 26, FDTL 20, PDP 16, PDM 5, The Initiative 5, Afek Tounes 4, PCOT 3, other minor parties each with fewer than three seats 20

elections

initial election of 217 Constituent Assembly members held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held NA)

National anthem

"Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland) Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates

lyrics/music

Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

name

"Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)

National symbol(s)

encircled red star and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Afek Tounes [Emna MINF] Alliance for Tunisia (a coalition of Tunisia's Call [Beji Caid ESSEBSI], Republican Party [Maya JRIBI and Najib CHBBI],Democratic Path [Ahmed BRAHIM]) al-Nahda (The Renaissance) [Rachid GHANNOUCHI] Congress Party for the Republic or CPR [Moncef MARZOUKI] Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL (Ettakatol) [Mustapha Ben JAAFAR] Democratic Modernist Pole or PDM (a coalition) Democratic Socialist Movement or MDS Et-Tajdid Movement [Ahmed IBRAHIM] Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI] Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mondher THABET] Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA] Popular Petition (Aridha Chaabia) [Hachemi HAMDI] Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA] Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [Maya JERIBI] The Initiative [Kamel MORJANE] (formerly the Constitutional Democratic Rally or RCD) Tunisian Workers' Communist Party or PCOT [Hamma HAMMAMI] Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Ahmed INOUBLI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

18 October Group [collective leadership]; Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI]; Tunisian General Labor Union or UGTT [Hassine ABASSI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$12.16 billion $15.8 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$15.8 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$12.16 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.75% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.31% (31 December 2012 est.) 6.76% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.556 billion (2013 est.) -$3.773 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$26.95 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $24.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40 (2005 est.) 41.7 (1995 est.)

Economy - overview

Tunisia's diverse, market-oriented economy has long been cited as a success story in Africa and the Middle East, but it faces an array of challenges during the country's ongoing political transition. Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia embarked on a successful strategy focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the European Union. Tunisia's liberal strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improving living standards. Former President (1987-2011) Zine el Abidine BEN ALI continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance and unemployment rose among the country's growing ranks of university graduates. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, sending Tunisia's economy into a tailspin as tourism and investment declined sharply. During 2012 and 2013, the Tunisian Government’s focus on the political transition led to a neglect of the economy that resulted in several downgrades of Tunisia’s credit rating. As the economy recovers, Tunisia's government faces challenges reassuring businesses and investors, bringing budget and current account deficits under control, shoring up the country's financial system, bringing down high unemployment, and reducing economic disparities between the more developed coastal region and the impoverished interior.

Exchange rates

Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.638 (2013 est.) 1.5619 (2012 est.) 1.4314 (2010 est.) 1.3503 (2009) 1.211 (2008)

Exports

$17.46 billion (2013 est.) $17.07 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

France 26.2%, Italy 16%, Germany 9.4%, Libya 7.6%, US 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

66.5% 18.4% 22.6% 3.5% 49.2% -60.1% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

49.2%

government consumption

18.4%

household consumption

66.5%

imports of goods and services

-60.1%

investment in fixed capital

22.6%

investment in inventories

3.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

8.6% 30.4% 61% (2013 est.)

agriculture

8.6%

industry

30.4%

services

61% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,900 (2013 est.) $9,800 (2012 est.) $9,500 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.8% (2013 est.) 3.6% (2012 est.) -1.9% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$48.38 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$108.4 billion (2013 est.) $105.4 billion (2012 est.) $101.8 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

26.1% of GDP (2013 est.) 25.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 24.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 31.5% (2000)

highest 10%

31.5% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$24.95 billion (2013 est.) $23.1 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

France 19.8%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 7.3%, China 6%, Spain 5.3%, Algeria 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.1% (2013 est.) 5.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

3.974 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18.3% 31.9% 49.8% (2009 est.)

agriculture

18.3%

industry

31.9%

services

49.8% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$8.887 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $9.662 billion (31 December 2011) $10.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

3.8% (2005 est.)

Public debt

51.1% of GDP (2013 est.) 46.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.113 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $8.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$29.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $30.72 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$295 million (31 December 2013 est.) $285 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$34.64 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $33.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$35.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $36.09 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$13.08 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $13.44 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

17.2% (2013 est.) 17.4% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

20.52 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

77,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

3,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

68,310 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

425 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

13.29 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

19 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.652 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

15.14 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

3.28 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.78 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

88,380 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

3,391 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

80,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

11,170 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media is mainly government-controlled; the state-run Tunisian Radio and Television Establishment (ERTT) operates 2 national TV networks, several national radio networks, and a number of regional radio stations; 1 TV and 3 radio stations are privately owned and report domestic news stories directly from the official Tunisian news agency; the state retains control of broadcast facilities and transmitters through L'Office National de la Telediffusion; Tunisians also have access to Egyptian, pan-Arab, and European satellite TV channels (2007)

Internet country code

.tn

Internet hosts

576 (2012)

Internet users

3.5 million (2009)

Telephone system

above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; telephone network is completely digitized; Internet access available throughout the country in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and began offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 125 telephones per 100 persons country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches (2011)

domestic

in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and began offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 125 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; telephone network is completely digitized; Internet access available throughout the country

international

country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.105 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

12.84 million (2012)

Airports

29 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2013)

over 3,047 m

4

total

15

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

14

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 (2010)

total

9

Pipelines

condensate 68 km; gas 3,111 km; oil 1,381 km; refined products 453 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira

major seaport(s)

Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira

Railways

2,165 km (1,991 in use) 471 km 1.435-m gauge 1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2011)

narrow gauge

1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2011)

total

2,165 km (1,991 in use)

Roadways

19,418 km 14,756 km (includes 357 km of expressways) 4,662 km (2010)

total

19,418 km

unpaved

4,662 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

2,846,572 2,952,180 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,952,180 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,846,572

Manpower fit for military service

2,397,716 2,484,097 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,484,097 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,397,716

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

90,436 87,346 (2010 est.)

female

87,346 (2010 est.)

male

90,436

Military branches

Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Tunisiens, FAT): Tunisian Army (includes Tunisian Air Defense Force), Tunisian Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'Tunisia) (2012)

Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Tunisiens, FAT)

Tunisian Army (includes Tunisian Air Defense Force), Tunisian Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'Tunisia) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.55% of GDP (2012) 1.34% of GDP (2011) 1.55% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

20-23 years of age for compulsory service, one year service obligation; 18-23 years of age for voluntary service; Tunisian nationality required (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Trafficking in persons

Tunisia is a source, destination, and possible transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Tunisia's increased number of street children, children working to support their families, and migrants who have fled unrest in neighboring countries are vulnerable to human trafficking; Tunisian women recruited into Lebanon's entertainment industry are forced into prostitution on arrival and other Tunisian women are forced into prostitution in Jordan; some Tunisian girls employed in domestic work are held in conditions of forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - Tunisia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to maintain that human trafficking is not a widespread problem in Tunisia, which undermines awareness campaigns and does not differentiate human trafficking from migrant smuggling; prior commitments to enact draft anti-trafficking legislation were not fulfilled, and the government has not developed or implemented procedures to identify proactively trafficking victims; the government has assisted an unidentified number of trafficking victims in its shelters for vulnerable groups (2013)

current situation

Tunisia is a source, destination, and possible transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Tunisia's increased number of street children, children working to support their families, and migrants who have fled unrest in neighboring countries are vulnerable to human trafficking; Tunisian women recruited into Lebanon's entertainment industry are forced into prostitution on arrival and other Tunisian women are forced into prostitution in Jordan; some Tunisian girls employed in domestic work are held in conditions of forced labor

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Tunisia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to maintain that human trafficking is not a widespread problem in Tunisia, which undermines awareness campaigns and does not differentiate human trafficking from migrant smuggling; prior commitments to enact draft anti-trafficking legislation were not fulfilled, and the government has not developed or implemented procedures to identify proactively trafficking victims; the government has assisted an unidentified number of trafficking victims in its shelters for vulnerable groups (2013)