Country Profile: Tunisia

Tunisia is a North African nation located between Algeria and Libya, with a Mediterranean coastline. Covering an area of approximately 163,610 square kilometers, it has a predominantly Arab population of nearly 12 million people (estimated 2025). The economy is characterized as lower middle-income, primarily driven by the services sector, and has faced challenges including high unemployment rates and public debt. Tunisia operates as a parliamentary republic, with a significant transition of governance following the 2011 Arab Spring that led to the establishment of a new constitution.

Geography

Tunisia's strategic location in the central Mediterranean influences its temperate climate in the north and desert conditions in the south. The country features mountains in the north and a hot, dry central plain leading to the Sahara in the south. Most of the population resides in the northern half, while the south remains largely underpopulated.

Total Area: 163,610 sq km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Borders: Shares 1,495 km of land boundaries with Algeria and Libya.
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, and zinc.
Climate: Temperate in the north, desert in the south.

People and Society

With a total population of approximately 11.96 million (2025 estimate), Tunisia's society is primarily Arab (98%), with a small European and Jewish presence. Arabic is the official language and French is widely spoken, particularly in commerce. The country has a high literacy rate of 86.2% (2023) and a life expectancy of 77.3 years (2024).

Birth Rate: 11.35 births/1,000 population (2025)
Urban Population: 70.5% (2023)
Dependency Ratio: 50.7 (2025)
Median Age: 34.1 years (2025)
Infant Mortality Rate: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)

Economy

Tunisia's economy is under strain with challenges like high unemployment rates and public debt, particularly amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The services sector dominates the economy, contributing 62.1% to GDP, followed by industry at 23.6%. Agricultural products like milk and olives form a significant part of its agricultural output.

GDP (PPP): $156.086 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 16.3% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: Roughly 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Exports: $19.732 billion (2023 est.)
Imports: $21.953 billion (2023 est.)

Government

Tunisia is a parliamentary republic with a legal system that blends civil law and Islamic (sharia) law. Following the 2021 political changes, President Kais SAIED increased executive powers, and a new constitution was adopted in 2022. The governance structure includes a bicameral legislature and an executive branch led by the president.

Capital: Tunis
Constitution: Adopted on July 27, 2022
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Current President: Kais SAIED (since October 23, 2019)
Legislative Structure: Bicameral

Military and Security

The Tunisian Armed Forces, consisting of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, are responsible for the nation's defense and internal security. The military focuses on counterterrorism and border security, particularly along its frontiers with Algeria and Libya.

Active Personnel: Approximately 35,000 (2025)
Military Expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Service Age: 18 years for voluntary service; compulsory for men aged 20-35.
International Deployments: 840 troops in the Central African Republic (2025).

Energy

Tunisia has achieved full electricity access with a diversified energy profile, predominantly reliant on fossil fuels for electricity generation. However, renewable sources are slowly being integrated into the energy mix.

Installed Capacity: 6.639 million kW (2023)
Electricity Consumption: 19.153 billion kWh (2023)
Natural Gas Production: 1.313 billion cubic meters (2023)
Petroleum Production: 35,000 bbl/day (2023)
Electricity Imports: 2.576 billion kWh (2023)

Environment

Tunisia faces several environmental challenges, including water pollution and deforestation. The country is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Urban Population: 70.5% (2023)
Waste Generated: 2.7 million tons annually (2024 est.)
Water Resources: 4.615 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 24.645 million metric tons (2023)
Recycling Rate of Municipal Waste: 10.9% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Tunisia’s transportation infrastructure includes an extensive rail network and various airports. The civil aviation sector is developing, with several heliports and a focus on enhancing port facilities.

Total Railways: 2,173 km (2014)
Airports: 14 (2025)
Ports: 16 total (2024)
Merchant Marine: 72 vessels (2023)

Communications

Telecommunications in Tunisia are advancing with a significant portion of the population utilizing mobile and internet services. The country has a growing number of broadband subscriptions.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 14.4 million (2024)
Internet Users: 72% of population (2023)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1.863 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,962,995 (2025 est.)
Area	163,610 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$156.086 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	16.3% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.3 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	86.2% (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	33.754 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	11.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urban Population	70.5% (2023)
Military Expenditures	2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)