American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · TS

Flag of Tunisia

Tunisia

Thirty-second orientation

Tunisia at a glance

Capital
Tunis
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
12,348,573
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
163,610 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Tunisian(s); adjective: Tunisian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Tunisia through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Tunisia became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population12,348,573World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 11,962,995 (2025 est.) male: 5,926,741 female: 6,036,254CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-19

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$57.5 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$4,657
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
76.7 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
70.7%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
100.0%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
76.5%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Tunis
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
163,610 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
12,348,573
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
Tunisian dinars (TND)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Tunisian(s); adjective: Tunisian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1956-11-12
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline
1,148 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
red, white
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
red crescent moon and five-pointed star in a white circle
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Jebel ech Chambi · 5,066 ft (1,544 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Shatt al Gharsah · -56 ft (-17 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
Many empires have controlled Tunisia, including the Phoenicians (as early as the 12 century B.C.), Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, various Arab and Berber kingdoms, and Ottomans (16th to late-19th centuries). 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 after World War I finally convinced 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. In 1987, Zine el Abidine BEN ALI replaced BOURGUIBA in a bloodless coup. Street protests that began in Tunis in 2010 over high unemployment, corruption, widespread poverty, and high food prices escalated in 2011, culminating in rioting that led to hundreds of deaths and later became known as the start of the regional Arab Spring uprising. BEN ALI dismissed the government and fled the country, and a "national unity government" was formed. Elections for the new Constituent Assembly were held later that year, and human rights activist Moncef MARZOUKI was elected as interim president. The Assembly began drafting a new constitution in 2012 and, after several iterations and a months-long political crisis that stalled the transition, ratified the document in 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. After ESSEBSI’s death in office in 2019, Kais SAIED was elected. SAIED's term, as well as that of Tunisia's 217-member parliament, was set to expire in 2024. However, in 2021, SAIED used the exceptional powers allowed under Tunisia's constitution to dismiss the prime minister and suspend the legislature. Tunisians approved a new constitution through public referendum in 2022, expanding presidential powers and creating a new bicameral legislature.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography18 fields
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
34 00 N, 9 00 E
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Georgia
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 1,495 km border countries (2): Algeria 1,034 km; Libya 461 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
1,148 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m mean elevation: 246 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 62.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.) forest: 4.5% (2023 est.) other: 33.1% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
3,920 sq km (2013)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major aquifers
North Western Sahara Aquifer System
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated, as shown in this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
flooding; earthquakes; droughts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
strategic location in central Mediterranean
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
Population
total: 11,962,995 (2025 est.) male: 5,926,741 female: 6,036,254
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن كتاب تتعلم به المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 24.4% (male 1,516,871/female 1,426,522) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 3,861,731/female 3,990,802) 65 years and over: 10.4% (2024 est.) (male 593,640/female 659,281)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 35.6 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 15.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6.6 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 34.1 years (2025 est.) male: 33.6 years female: 35.1 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
0.38% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
11.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated, as shown in this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 70.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
2.475 million TUNIS (capital) (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
36 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.3 years (2024 est.) male: 75.7 years female: 79.1 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
0.77 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 93.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 97.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 6.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
7% of GDP (2021) 11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Hospital bed density
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
26.9% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 19% (2025 est.) male: 37.6% (2025 est.) female: 1.4% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.6% (2018 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52.5% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0% (2018) women married by age 18: 1.5% (2018) men married by age 18: 0% (2018)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
6.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 17.3% national budget (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Literacy
total population: 86.2% (2023 est.) male: 92.7% (2023 est.) female: 80.1% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2016 est.) male: 14 years (2016 est.) female: 15 years (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
Environmental issues
toxic and hazardous waste disposal; water pollution from raw sewage; limited freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 62.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.) forest: 4.5% (2023 est.) other: 33.1% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 70.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
24.645 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 14.249 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 10.392 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
26.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Methane emissions
energy: 88 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 94.5 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 97.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.7 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10.9% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 815.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 61.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 2.71 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
4.615 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
parliamentary republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Tunis geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the ancient name is unclear; it is sometimes associated with the name of the Phoenician goddess Tanith
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
mixed system of civil law, based on the French civil code and Islamic (sharia) law; Supreme Court reviews some legislative acts in joint session
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: several previous; latest draft published by the president 30 June 2022, approved by referendum 25 July 2022, and adopted 27 July 2022 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or one third of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People membership; following Constitutional Court review, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote in the Assembly, and final passage requires a two-thirds Assembly majority vote; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: President Kais SAIED (since 23 October 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Sarra ZAAFRANI Zenzri (since 21 March 2025) cabinet: prime minister appointed by the president; cabinet members appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 6 October 2024 election results: 2024: Kais SAIED reelected president in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 90.7%, Ayachi ZAMMEL (Long Live Tunisia) 7.3%, Zouhair MAGHZAOUI (People's Movement) 2% 2019: Kais SAIED elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 18.4%, Nabil KAROUI (Heart of Tunisia) 15.6%, Abdelfattah MOUROU (Nahda Movement) 12.9%, Abdelkrim ZBIDI (independent) 10.7%, Youssef CHAHED (Long Live Tunisia) 7.4%, Safi SAID (independent) 7.1%, Lotfi MRAIHI (Republican People's Union) 6.6%, other 21.3%; percent of vote in second round - Kais SAIED 72.7%, Nabil KAROUI 27.3% expected date of next election: 2029 note: the president can dismiss any member of government on his own initiative or in consultation with the prime minister
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral note: in 2022, President SAIED issued a new electoral law that requires all legislative candidates to run as independents
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: Assembly of People's Representatives (Majlis Nawwab ash-Sha'ab) number of seats: 161 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 12/17/2022 to 1/29/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 15.8% expected date of next election: December 2027
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: National Council of Regions and Districts number of seats: 77 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 4/19/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 13% expected date of next election: April 2029
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of the first president, chamber presidents, and magistrates; organized into 27 civil and 11 criminal chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, an independent 4-part body consisting mainly of elected judges and the remainder legal specialists; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; Constitutional Court (established in the 2014 and 2022 constitutions, but never implemented) subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts note: the Tunisian constitution of January 2014 called for the establishment of a constitutional court by the end of 2015, but the court was never formed; the new constitution of July 2022 calls for the establishment of a constitutional court consisting of 9 members appointed by presidential decree; members to include former senior judges of other courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Afek Tounes Al Badil Al-Tounisi (The Tunisian Alternative) Al-Amal Party Call for Tunisia Party (Nidaa Tounes) Current of Love (formerly the Popular Petition party) Democratic Current Democratic Patriots' Unified Party Dignity Coalition or Al Karama Coalition Ennahda Movement (The Renaissance) Ettakatol Party Free Destourian Party or PDL Green Tunisia Party Harakat Hak Heart of Tunisia (Qalb Tounes) July 25 Movement Labor and Achievement Party Long Live Tunisia (Tahya Tounes) Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS National Coalition Party National Salvation Front New Carthage Party Party of the Democratic Arab Vanguard People's Movement Republican Party (Al Joumhouri) The Movement Party (Hizb Harak) Third Republic Party Tunisian Ba'ath Movement Voice of the Republic Workers' Party note: President SAIED in 2022 issued a decree that forbids political parties' participation in legislative elections; although parties remain a facet of Tunisian political life, they have lost significant influence
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d'Affaires Anis HAJRI (since 1 August 2025) chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 email address and website: AT.Washington@Tunisiaembassy.org https://www.tunisianembassy.org/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Bill BAZZI (since 21 November 2025) embassy: Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis mailing address: 6360 Tunis Place, Washington DC 20521-6360 telephone: [216] 71-107-000 FAX: [216] 71-107-090 email address and website: tuniswebsitecontact@state.gov https://tn.usembassy.gov/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AIIB, 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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
20 March 1956 (from France)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: red with a white disk in the center that displays a red crescent around a five-pointed red star meaning: red stands for martyrs' blood shed the fight against oppression, and white for peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam history: resembles the Ottoman flag (red banner with white crescent and star), a reference to Tunisia's history as part of the Ottoman Empire
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
red crescent moon and five-pointed star in a white circle
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
red, white
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland) lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB history: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 9 (8 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Amphitheatre of El Jem (c); Archaeological Site of Carthage (c); Medina of Tunis (c); Ichkeul National Park (n); Punic Town of Kerkuane (c); Kairouan (c); Medina of Sousse (c); Dougga / Thugga (c); Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory (c)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$156.086 billion (2024 est.) $154.006 billion (2023 est.) $153.945 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
1.4% (2024 est.) 0% (2023 est.) 2.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$12,700 (2024 est.) $12,600 (2023 est.) $12,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$53.41 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
7.2% (2024 est.) 9.3% (2023 est.) 8.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9.3% (2023 est.) industry: 23.6% (2023 est.) services: 62.1% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 76.2% (2024 est.) government consumption: 18.6% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.4% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.4% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -56.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, olives, onions, chillies/peppers, watermelons, potatoes, wheat, dates, oranges (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
-2.5% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
4.247 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
16.3% (2024 est.) 15.2% (2023 est.) 15.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 40.1% (2024 est.) male: 41.1% (2024 est.) female: 37.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
16.6% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
33.7 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Average household expenditures
on food: 22.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.1% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 27% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
6% of GDP (2023 est.) 6.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $10.866 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $12.375 billion (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
-$1.111 billion (2023 est.) -$3.969 billion (2022 est.) -$2.77 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$19.732 billion (2023 est.) $17.254 billion (2022 est.) $14.054 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
France 22%, Italy 17%, Germany 13%, USA 4%, Libya 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
garments, insulated wire, olive oil, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$21.953 billion (2023 est.) $22.453 billion (2022 est.) $18.178 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
Italy 13%, France 12%, China 10%, Russia 8%, Germany 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, plastic products, cars, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$9.344 billion (2024 est.) $9.24 billion (2023 est.) $8.094 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$21.212 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 3.107 (2024 est.) 3.106 (2023 est.) 3.104 (2022 est.) 2.794 (2021 est.) 2.812 (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 99.7%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 6.639 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 19.153 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 80 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 2.576 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.629 billion kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 96.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
consumption: 2,000 metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 28 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 104,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 425 million barrels (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
production: 1.313 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 5.131 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 3.887 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 65.129 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
33.754 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1.863 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 14.4 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
2 state-owned TV stations; 10 private local TV stations; satellite TV service available; state-owned radio network with 2 stations; several dozen private radio stations and community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.tn
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 72% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 1.73 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TS
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
14 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Heliports
11 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 2,173 km (2014) (1,991 in use) standard gauge: 471 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,694 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) dual gauge: 8 km (2014) 1.435-1.000-m gauge
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 72 (2023) by type: container ship 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 62
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ports
total ports: 16 (2024) large: 0 medium: 3 small: 7 very small: 6 ports with oil terminals: 10 key ports: Ashtart Oil Terminal, Banzart, Didon Terminal, Gabes, La Goulette, Menzel Bourguiba, Mersa Sfax, Sousse, Tazerka Oil Terminal, Tunis
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
Military and security forces
Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Arm&eacute;es Tunisiennes, FAT): Tunisian Army (includes Air Defense Force), Tunisian Navy, Tunisia Air Force Ministry of Interior (MoI): Internal Security Forces (National Police, National Guard) (2025) note: the National Police has primary responsibility for law enforcement in the major cities, while the National Guard (gendarmerie) oversees border security and patrols smaller towns and rural areas
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military expenditures
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Tunisian military's inventory consists mostly of older or secondhand equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Austria, France, Italy, T&uuml;rkiye, and the US (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; men 20-35 years of age subject to 12 months of compulsory national service (2025) note: compulsory national service may be in the Armed Forces or other government ministries as needed
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military deployments
840 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the Tunisian Armed Forces (FAT) are responsible for territorial defense and internal security; operational areas of focus include counterterrorism and assisting with securing the border regions, particularly along the frontiers with Algerian and Libya the FAT conducts bilateral and multinational training exercises with a variety of countries, including Algeria and other North African and Middle Eastern countries, France, and the US, as well as NATO; it also participates in UN peacekeeping operations; Tunisia has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
Terrorist group(s)
Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Tunisia (known locally as Ajnad al-Khilafah or the Army of the Caliphate); al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 12,575 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Tunisia was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/tunisia
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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