Country Profile: Tunisia

Tunisia, located in Northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea, features a diverse geography that includes mountains, plains, and desert regions. With a population of approximately 12 million, the nation has a rich cultural tapestry influenced by various historical empires. Tunisia's economy is classified as a lower middle-income economy, reliant on sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Tunisia has seen a turbulent political history, especially following the Arab Spring in 2011, leading to reforms and a new constitution approved in 2022.

Geography

Tunisia's geographical location places it strategically between Algeria and Libya along the Mediterranean coast. The country has a total area of 163,610 square kilometers, with diverse terrain including the temperate northern mountains and arid southern deserts.

1,148 km of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
1,495 km of land borders with Algeria and Libya.
Highest point: Jebel ech Chambi at 1,544 m; lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah at -17 m.
Approximately 62.4% of the land is used for agriculture (2023).

People and Society

Tunisia has an estimated population of 12,048,847 (2024), with a diverse demographic predominantly comprised of Arabs. The nation enjoys a literacy rate of 86.2% and a life expectancy of 77.3 years.

70.5% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Official language: Arabic; French widely spoken.
99% adherence to Islam, predominantly Sunni.
Median age is 34.4 years (2024).

Economy

Tunisia's economy is characterized by a mix of agriculture, industry, and services with challenges such as high unemployment and public debt. The GDP per capita is estimated at $12,700 (2024).

16.3% unemployment rate (2024), with youth unemployment at 40.1%.
Services contribute 62.1% to the GDP (2023).
$19.732 billion in exports (2023), with France as the largest trading partner.
$53.41 billion GDP based on the official exchange rate (2024).

Government

Tunisia operates as a parliamentary republic with a bicameral legislature. The President has significant powers, having recently expanded authority through a new constitution approved in 2022.

Kais SAIED is the current president (since 2019).
The legislative assembly has 217 members, with elections held in 2022.
The voting age is 18 years.
Independence from France was achieved on 20 March 1956.

Military and Security

The Tunisian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, focusing on internal security and counterterrorism. Military expenditures account for 2.5% of GDP (2024).

Active-duty military personnel approximate 35,000.
Tunisia has participated in international peacekeeping missions and has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US.

Energy

Tunisia has made significant investments in its energy infrastructure, achieving 100% electrification of the population by 2022.

Installed electricity capacity is 6.639 million kW (2023).
Energy consumption reached 33.754 million Btu per capita (2023).
The energy mix remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels (96.1% installed capacity).

Environment

Tunisia faces several environmental issues, including limited freshwater resources and pollution. It participates in international environmental agreements aimed at combatting climate change and protecting biodiversity.

Urban population: 70.5% (2023), indicating growing urbanization.
10.9% of municipal waste recycled (2022).
A significant emphasis on sustainable land use as 62.4% of land is used for agriculture (2023).

Transportation

Tunisia has a well-developed transportation network, including railways, roads, and maritime ports.

2,173 km of railroads operational.
14 airports serve as critical transportation hubs by 2025.
The country has 72 registered merchant marine vessels (2023).

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Tunisia is thriving, with a high rate of mobile and internet penetration.

16.4 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
Internet usage stands at 72% of the population (2023).
Fixed broadband subscriptions total 1.73 million (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	12,048,847 (2024 est.)
Area	163,610 sq km
GDP	$53.41 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	33.754 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	13.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	16.3% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	77.3 years (2024 est.)