2017 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 convincing 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. Parliamentary and presidential elections for a permanent government were held at the end of 2014. Beji CAID ESSEBSI was elected as the first president under the country's new constitution. In 2016, the new unity government continued to seek to balance political cohesion with economic and social pressures.

Area

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

land

155,360 sq km

total

163,610 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate

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

Coastline

1,148 km

Elevation

246 m lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

highest point

Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

mean elevation

246 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

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

4,590 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,495 km Algeria 1,034 km, Libya 461 km

border countries (2)

Algeria 1,034 km, Libya 461 km

total

1,495 km

Land use

64.8% arable land 18.3%; permanent crops 15.4%; permanent pasture 31.1% 6.6% 28.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

64.8%

forest

6.6%

other

28.6% (2011 est.)

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

flooding; earthquakes; droughts

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated

Terrain

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

Age structure

25.15% (male 1,482,303/female 1,385,407) 13.99% (male 805,376/female 790,119) 43.38% (male 2,410,724/female 2,536,015) 9.54% (male 543,865/female 543,642) 7.95% (male 429,681/female 476,668) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

25.15% (male 1,482,303/female 1,385,407)

15-24 years

13.99% (male 805,376/female 790,119)

25-54 years

43.38% (male 2,410,724/female 2,536,015)

55-64 years

9.54% (male 543,865/female 543,642)

65 years and over

7.95% (male 429,681/female 476,668) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

18.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.3% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

62.5% (2011/12)

Death rate

6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

The Tunisian Government took steps in the 1960s to decrease population growth and gender inequality in order to improve socioeconomic development. Through its introduction of a national family planning program (the first in Africa) and by raising the legal age of marriage, Tunisia rapidly reduced its total fertility rate from about 7 children per woman in 1960 to 2 today. Unlike many of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbors, Tunisia will soon be shifting from being a youth-bulge country to having a transitional age structure, characterized by lower fertility and mortality rates, a slower population growth rate, a rising median age, and a longer average life expectancy. Currently, the sizable young working-age population is straining Tunisia’s labor market and education and health care systems. Persistent high unemployment among Tunisia’s growing workforce, particularly its increasing number of university graduates and women, was a key factor in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of the BEN ALI regime in 2011. In the near term, Tunisia’s large number of jobless young, working-age adults; deficiencies in primary and secondary education; and the ongoing lack of job creation and skills mismatches could contribute to future unrest. In the longer term, a sustained low fertility rate will shrink future youth cohorts and alleviate demographic pressure on Tunisia’s labor market, but employment and education hurdles will still need to be addressed. Tunisia has a history of labor emigration. In the 1960s, workers migrated to European countries to escape poor economic conditions and to fill Europe’s need for low-skilled labor in construction and manufacturing. The Tunisian Government signed bilateral labor agreements with France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with the expectation that Tunisian workers would eventually return home. At the same time, growing numbers of Tunisians headed to Libya, often illegally, to work in the expanding oil industry. In the mid-1970s, with European countries beginning to restrict immigration and Tunisian-Libyan tensions brewing, Tunisian economic migrants turned toward the Gulf countries. After mass expulsions from Libya in 1983, Tunisian migrants increasingly sought family reunification in Europe or moved illegally to southern Europe, while Tunisia itself developed into a transit point for sub-Saharan migrants heading to Europe. Following the ousting of BEN ALI in 2011, the illegal migration of unemployed Tunisian youths to Italy and onward to France soared into the tens of thousands. Thousands more Tunisian and foreign workers escaping civil war in Libya flooded into Tunisia and joined the exodus. A readmission agreement signed by Italy and Tunisia in April 2011 helped stem the outflow, leaving Tunisia and international organizations to repatriate, resettle, or accommodate some 1 million Libyans and third-country nationals.

Dependency ratios

45.6 34.5 11.1 9 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.1

potential support ratio

9 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

45.6

youth dependency ratio

34.5

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 93.2% of population total: 97.7% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 6.8% of population total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

6.8% of population

total

2.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,900 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

13.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight) despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two-thirds of the population

note

despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two-thirds of the population

Life expectancy at birth

75.7 years 74.1 years 77.4 years (2017 est.)

female

77.4 years (2017 est.)

male

74.1 years

total population

75.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 81.8% 89.6% 74.2% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

74.2% (2015 est.)

male

89.6%

total population

81.8%

Major urban areas - population

TUNIS (capital) 1.993 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

62 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

31.6 years 31 years 32.2 years (2017 est.)

female

32.2 years (2017 est.)

male

31 years

total

31.6 years

Nationality

Tunisian(s) Tunisian

adjective

Tunisian

noun

Tunisian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.9% (2016)

Physicians density

1.65 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

11,403,800 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated

Population growth rate

1.01% (2017 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: 79.8% of population total: 91.6% of population urban: 2.6% of population rural: 20.2% of population total: 8.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

20.2% of population

total

8.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years NA NA (2015)

female

NA (2015)

male

NA

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.97 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.23 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

37.6% 35.7% 41.8% (2012 est.)

female

41.8% (2012 est.)

male

35.7%

total

37.6%

Urbanization

67.3% of total population (2017) 1.28% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.28% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

67.3% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014, signed by the president, prime minister, and Constituent Assembly speaker 27 January 2014 proposed by the president of the republic or by one-third of members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People; following review by the Constitutional Court, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote by the Assembly and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passage (2017)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or by one-third of members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People; following review by the Constitutional Court, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote by the Assembly and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passage (2017)

history

several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014, signed by the president, prime minister, and Constituent Assembly speaker 27 January 2014

Country name

Republic of Tunisia Tunisia Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah Tunis the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis

conventional long form

Republic of Tunisia

conventional short form

Tunisia

etymology

the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form

Tunis

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Daniel H. RUBINSTEIN (since 26 October 2015) Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 [216] 71 107-000 [216] 71 963-263

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel H. RUBINSTEIN (since 26 October 2015)

embassy

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

FAX

[216] 71 963-263

mailing address

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

telephone

[216] 71 107-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Faycal GOUIA (since 18 May 2015) 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 Faycal GOUIA (since 18 May 2015)

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

Executive branch

President Beji CAID ESSEBSI (since 31 December 2014) Prime Minister Youssef CHAHED (since 27 August 2016) selected by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly of the Representatives of the People president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 November and 21 December 2014 (next to be held in 2019); following legislative elections, the prime minister is selected by the majority party or majority coalition and appointed by the president Beji CAID ESSEBSI elected president; percent of vote in runoff - Beji CAID ESSEBSI (Call for Tunisia) 55.7%, Moncef MARZOUKI (CPR) 44.3%

cabinet

selected by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly of the Representatives of the People

chief of state

President Beji CAID ESSEBSI (since 31 December 2014)

election results

Beji CAID ESSEBSI elected president; percent of vote in runoff - Beji CAID ESSEBSI (Call for Tunisia) 55.7%, Moncef MARZOUKI (CPR) 44.3%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 November and 21 December 2014 (next to be held in 2019); following legislative elections, the prime minister is selected by the majority party or majority coalition and appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Youssef CHAHED (since 27 August 2016)

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

note

the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, 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 1 civil and 3 criminal chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members) the new Tunisian constitution of January 2014 called for the creation of a constitutional court by the end of 2015; the court will consist of 12 members - 4 each appointed by the president, the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (an independent 4-part body consisting mainly of elected judges and the remainder legal specialists), and the Chamber of the People's Deputies (parliament); members will serve 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; in late 2015, the International Commission of Jurists called on Tunisia's parliament to revise the draft on the Constitutional Court to ensure compliance with international standards; as of spring 2017 the court had not been appointed Supreme Court judges nominated by the SJC; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; Constitutional Court members appointed 3 each by the president of the republic, the Chamber of the People's Deputies, and the SJC; members serve 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (organized into 1 civil and 3 criminal chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges nominated by the SJC; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; Constitutional Court members appointed 3 each by the president of the republic, the Chamber of the People's Deputies, and the SJC; members serve 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years

note

the new Tunisian constitution of January 2014 called for the creation of a constitutional court by the end of 2015; the court will consist of 12 members - 4 each appointed by the president, the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (an independent 4-part body consisting mainly of elected judges and the remainder legal specialists), and the Chamber of the People's Deputies (parliament); members will serve 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; in late 2015, the International Commission of Jurists called on Tunisia's parliament to revise the draft on the Constitutional Court to ensure compliance with international standards; as of spring 2017 the court had not been appointed

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; 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 Assembly of the Representatives of the People or Nuwwab ash-Sha'b (Assemblee des representants du peuple) (217 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) initial election held on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019) percent of vote by party - Call for Tunisia 37.6%, Ennahdha 27.8%, UPL 4.1%, Popular Front 3.6%, Afek Tounes 3.0%, CPR 2.1%, other 21.8%; seats by party - Call to Tunisia 86, Nahda 69, UPL 16, Popular Front 15, Afek Tounes 8, CPR 4, other 17, independent 2

description

unicameral Assembly of the Representatives of the People or Nuwwab ash-Sha'b (Assemblee des representants du peuple) (217 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - Call for Tunisia 37.6%, Ennahdha 27.8%, UPL 4.1%, Popular Front 3.6%, Afek Tounes 3.0%, CPR 2.1%, other 21.8%; seats by party - Call to Tunisia 86, Nahda 69, UPL 16, Popular Front 15, Afek Tounes 8, CPR 4, other 17, independent 2

elections

initial election held on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

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)

note

adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

encircled red star and crescent; national colors: red, white

encircled red star and crescent; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Afek Tounes [Yassine BRAHIM] Al Badil Al-Tounisi (The Tunisian Alternative) [Mehdi JOMAA] Call for Tunisia (Nidaa Tounes) [Hafedh CAID ESSEBSI] Congress for the Republic or CPR [Imed DAIMI] Current of Love [Hachemi HAMDI] (formerly the Popular Petition party) Democratic Alliance Party [Mohamed HAMDI] Democratic Current [Mohamed ABBOU] Democratic Patriots' Unified Party [Zied LAKHDHAR] Free Patriotic Union or UPL (Union patriotique libre) [Slim RIAHI] Green Tunisia Party [Abdelkader ZITOUNI] Machrou Tounes (Tunisia Project) [Mohsen MARZOUK] Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ahmed KHASKHOUSSI] Nahda Movement (The Renaissance) [Rachid GHANNOUCHI] National Destourian Initiative or El Moubadra [Kamel MORJANE] Party of the Democratic Arab Vanguard [Ahmed JEDDICK, Kheireddine SOUABNI] People's Movement [Zouheir MAGHZAOUI] Popular Front (coalition includes Democratic Patriots' Unified Party, Workers' Party, Green Tunisia, Tunisian Ba'ath Movement, and Party of the Democratic Arab Vanguard) Republican Party [Maya JRIBI] Tunisian Ba'ath Movement [OMAR Othman BELHADJ] Workers' Party [Hamma HAMMAMI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Tunisian Association of Women Democrats or ATFD Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Jamel MSALLEM] Tunisian General Labor Union or UGTT [Noureddine TABOUBI] Tunisian Women's Association for Research and Development or AFTURD

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

$9.891 billion $12.15 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$12.15 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$9.891 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.75% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.31% (31 December 2016 est.) 6.76% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

$-3.776 billion (2016 est.) $-3.85 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$28.93 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $27.36 billion (31 December 2015 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 following the 2011 Arab Spring revolution, including slow economic growth and high unemployment. 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 EU. Tunisia's liberal strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improved living standards. Former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (1987-2011) 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. Tunisia’s government remains under pressure to boost economic growth quickly to mitigate chronic socio-economic challenges, especially high levels of youth unemployment, which has persisted since the revolution in 2011. Successive terrorist attacks against the tourism sector and worker strikes in the phosphate sector, which combined account for nearly 15% of GDP, slowed growth to less than 1% of GDP in 2015 and 1.5% in 2016. Tunis is seeking increased foreign investment and working with labor unions to limit labor disruption.

Exchange rates

Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 2.148 (2016 est.) 2.148 (2015 est.) 1.9617 (2014 est.) 1.6976 (2013 est.) 1.56 (2012 est.)

Exports

$13.57 billion (2016 est.) $14.16 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

France 30.1%, Italy 19.3%, Germany 10.7%, Spain 5.2%, Libya 4.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

71.1% 20.1% 18.6% 0.7% 40.1% -50.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

40.1%

government consumption

20.1%

household consumption

71.1%

imports of goods and services

-50.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.6%

investment in inventories

0.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.9% 26.2% 63.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

9.9%

industry

26.2%

services

63.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,600 (2016 est.) $11,600 (2015 est.) $11,600 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2016 est.) 1.1% (2015 est.) 2.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$42.07 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$130.5 billion (2016 est.) $127.6 billion (2015 est.) $124.9 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

13.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 14% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 27% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

27% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$18.37 billion (2016 est.) $19.1 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

France 18%, Italy 14.8%, China 8%, Germany 7.3%, Spain 4.3%, Algeria 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (2016 est.) 4.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

4.022 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14.8% 33.2% 51.7% (2014 est.)

agriculture

14.8%

industry

33.2%

services

51.7% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

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

Population below poverty line

15.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt

62.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 54.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.941 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$26.73 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $28.48 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$285 million (31 December 2016 est.) $285 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$37.34 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $36.45 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$34.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $35.73 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$11.86 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $12.61 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

14% (2016 est.) 15.2% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

21 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

46,370 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

23,600 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

48,670 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

425 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

15.12 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

500 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

93.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

403 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5.028 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

18.39 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

7.67 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.97 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.575 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

98,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

16,710 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

72,610 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

34,760 bbl/day (2014 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 users

5,665,242 50.9% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

50.9% (July 2016 est.)

total

5,665,242

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 awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between several mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 135 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 (2016)

domestic

in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between several mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 135 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

974,975 9 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

9 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

974,975

Telephones - mobile cellular

14,282,078 128 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

128 (July 2016 est.)

total

14,282,078

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

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TS (2016)

Merchant marine

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

by type

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

total

9

National air transport system

3,496,190 10,354,241 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

10,354,241 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

3,496,190

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

41

number of registered air carriers

3

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

2,173 km (1,991 in use) 471 km 1.435-m gauge 8 km 1.435-1.000-m gauge 1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2014)

dual gauge

8 km 1.435-1.000-m gauge

narrow gauge

1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

471 km 1.435-m gauge

total

2,173 km (1,991 in use)

Roadways

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

paved

14,756 km (includes 357 km of expressways)

total

19,418 km

unpaved

4,662 km (2010)

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

2.32% of GDP (2016) 2.27% of GDP (2015) 1.91% of GDP (2014) 1.64% of GDP (2013) 1.51% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

20-23 years of age for compulsory service, 1-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, rural children working to support their families, and migrants who have fled unrest in neighboring countries are vulnerable to human trafficking; organized gangs force street children to serve as thieves, beggars, and drug transporters; Tunisian women have been forced into prostitution domestically and elsewhere in the region under false promises of legitimate work; East and West African women may be subjected to forced labor as domestic workers 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; in 2014, Tunisia was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in early 2015, the government drafted a national anti-trafficking action plan outlining proposals to raise awareness and enact draft anti-trafficking legislation; authorities did not provide data on the prosecution and conviction of offenders but reportedly identified 24 victims, as opposed to none in 2013, and operated facilities specifically dedicated to trafficking victims, regardless of nationality and gender; the government did not fully implement its national victim referral mechanism; some unidentified victims were not protected from punishment for unlawful acts directly resulting from being trafficked (2015)

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, rural children working to support their families, and migrants who have fled unrest in neighboring countries are vulnerable to human trafficking; organized gangs force street children to serve as thieves, beggars, and drug transporters; Tunisian women have been forced into prostitution domestically and elsewhere in the region under false promises of legitimate work; East and West African women may be subjected to forced labor as domestic workers

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; in 2014, Tunisia was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in early 2015, the government drafted a national anti-trafficking action plan outlining proposals to raise awareness and enact draft anti-trafficking legislation; authorities did not provide data on the prosecution and conviction of offenders but reportedly identified 24 victims, as opposed to none in 2013, and operated facilities specifically dedicated to trafficking victims, regardless of nationality and gender; the government did not fully implement its national victim referral mechanism; some unidentified victims were not protected from punishment for unlawful acts directly resulting from being trafficked (2015)