Introduction
Background
Tunisia has been the nexus of many different colonizations including those of the Phoenicians (as early as the 12 century B.C.), the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, various Arab and Berber kingdoms, and the Ottomans. In 1818, France established a protectorate. The French recognized Tunisia as an independent state in 1956.
Geography
Area
total: 163,610 sq km
land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
People and Society
Population
11,976,182 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight); note - despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population
Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%
Population growth rate
0.63% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Tunis
Executive branch
chief of state: President Kais SAIED (since 23 October 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed HACHANI (since 1 August 2023)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral legislature (enacted by the 2022 constitution) consists of:
newly added National Council of Regions and Districts (Le Conseil National des regions et des districts); (NA seats; members appointed by municipal-level councils; members of each Regional Council elect 3 members among themselves to the National Council; each District Council elects 1 member among themselves to the National Council; members serve 5-year term)
Assembly of Representatives of the People (161 seats; 151 members in single seat constituencies and 10 members from Tunisian diaspora directly elected by majoritarian two-round voting system; all members serve 5-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income North African economy; drafting reforms for foreign lenders; high unemployment, especially for youth and women; hit hard by COVID-19; high public sector wages; high public debt; protectionist austerity measures; key EU trade partner
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$127.509 billion (2021 est.)
$122.226 billion (2020 est.)
$133.757 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$10,400 (2021 est.)
$10,100 (2020 est.)
$11,100 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, olives, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, potatoes, dates, green onions/shallots
Industries
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Remittances
5.57% of GDP (2020 est.)
4.89% of GDP (2019 est.)
4.46% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$19.743 billion (2021 est.)
$16.017 billion (2020 est.)
$19.175 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
France 29%, Italy 17%, Germany 13% (2019)
Exports - commodities
insulated wiring, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, olive oil, vehicle parts (2019)
Imports
$24.269 billion (2021 est.)
$19.603 billion (2020 est.)
$23.546 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
France 17%, Italy 16%, Germany 8%, China 8%, Algeria 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Exchange rates
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
2.794 (2021 est.)
2.812 (2020 est.)
2.934 (2019 est.)
2.647 (2018 est.)
2.419 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
