Page last updated on January 31, 2014
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 getting 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 released a second working draft in December 2012. The interim government has proposed presidential and parliamentary elections be held in 2013.
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
total: 163,610 sq km
country comparison to the world: 93
land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km
slightly larger than Georgia
total: 1,424 km
border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
arable land: 17.35%
permanent crops: 14.63%
other: 68.02% (2011)
total: 2.85 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)
per capita: 295.8 cu m/yr (2001)
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
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
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
noun: Tunisian(s)
adjective: Tunisian
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)
Muslim (Islam - official) 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
10,835,873 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
0-14 years: 23% (male 1,286,781/female 1,206,678)
15-24 years: 16.5% (male 899,534/female 890,909)
25-54 years: 44.7% (male 2,356,154/female 2,484,023)
55-64 years: 8.1% (male 442,983/female 429,767)
65 years and over: 7.7% (male 411,590/female 427,454) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 43.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 33.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 %
potential support ratio: 9.7 (2013)
total: 31 years
male: 30.5 years
female: 31.3 years (2013 est.)
0.95% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
17.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
-1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
urban population: 66.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
TUNIS (capital) 759,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
56 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 105
total: 24.07 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 79
male: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 20.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 75.46 years
country comparison to the world: 93
male: 73.4 years
female: 77.66 years (2013 est.)
2.01 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
6.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 104
1.22 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
2,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
22.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
3.3% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 109
6.2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 35
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.1%
male: 87.4%
female: 71.1% (2010 est.)
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2011)
total: 42.3% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 10
conventional long form: Tunisian Republic
conventional short form: Tunisia
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form: Tunis
name: Tunis
geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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)
20 March 1956 (from France)
Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)
several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014 (2014)
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
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
note: Tunisia's interim government was appointed in December 2011 and will remain in power pending drafting of a new constitution and holding of general elections in 2013
chief of state: President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 12 December 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Ali LAAREYDH (since 27 February 2013)
cabinet: selected by the prime minister and approved by the Constituent Assembly
elections: president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011(next to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President MARZOUKI elected by Constituent Assembly with 153 of 156 votes
unicameral Constituent Assembly (217 seats); note - the legislative role of the Constituent Assembly remains unclear
elections: initial election of 217 Constituent Assembly members held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held on 23 June 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al-Nahda 89, CPR 29, Popular Petition 26, FDTL 20, PDP 16, PDM 5, The Initiative 5, Afek Tounes 4, PCOT 3, other minor parties each with fewer than three seats 20
highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (organized into civil and criminal chambers and consists of NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Higher Magistracy Council (also called the Superior Council of the Judiciary), a 7-member body of judges and prosecutors; judges appointed by presidential decree; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Administrative Court; Courts of Appeal; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts
18 October Group [collective leadership]
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kais DARRAGI
chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850
FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858
chief of mission: Ambassador Jake WALLES (since 24 July 2012)
embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [216] 71 107-000
FAX: [216] 71 963-263
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
note: the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire
encircled red star and crescent
name: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates
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 during the country's ongoing political transition. 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 European Union. Tunisia''s liberal strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improving living standards. Former President (1987-2011) Zine el Abidine BEN ALI 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. As the economy recovers, Tunisia''s government faces challenges reassuring businesses and investors, bringing budget and current account deficits under control, shoring up the country''s financial system, bringing down high unemployment, and reducing economic disparities between the more developed coastal region and the impoverished interior.
$104 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$44.79 billion (2012 est.)
3.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$9,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
25.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
household consumption: 66.2%
government consumption: 17.5%
investment in fixed capital: 22%
investment in inventories: 3.4%
exports of goods and services: 48.7%
imports of goods and services: -57.8%
agriculture: 9%
industry: 30.3%
services: 60.7% (2012 est.)
olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
3.914 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
agriculture: 18.3%
industry: 31.9%
services: 49.8% (2009 est.)
17.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 31.5% (2000)
40 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
revenues: $11.85 billion
expenditures: $13.07 billion (2012 est.)
26.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
46.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
5.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
5.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
7.31% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$13.44 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$31.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$36.09 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$9.662 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 72
$-3.773 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
$17.07 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment
France 26.2%, Italy 16%, Germany 9.4%, Libya 7.6%, US 4.3% (2012)
$23.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs
France 19.8%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 7.3%, China 6%, Spain 5.3%, Algeria 4.4% (2012)
$8.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$24.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$33.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$285 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -
15.14 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
13.29 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
19 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
3.652 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
96.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
1.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
68,310 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
77,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
3,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
425 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 52
11,170 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
88,380 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
3,391 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
80,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
1.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
3.28 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
1.78 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 60
20.52 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
1.105 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 71
12.84 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 68
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
domestic: in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and began offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 125 telephones per 100 persons
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 (2011)
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)
576 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 180
3.5 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 60
29 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 118
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
total: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m:
condensate 68 km; gas 3,111 km; oil 1,381 km; refined products 453 km (2013)
total: 2,165 km (1,991 in use)
country comparison to the world: 68
standard gauge: 471 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2011)
total: 19,418 km
country comparison to the world: 112
paved: 14,756 km (includes 357 km of expressways)
unpaved: 4,662 km (2010)
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 116
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 (2010)
major seaport(s): Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira
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)
20-23 years of age for compulsory service, one year service obligation; 18-23 years of age for voluntary service; Tunisian nationality required (2012)
males age 16-49: 2,846,572
females age 16-49: 2,952,180 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 2,397,716
females age 16-49: 2,484,097 (2010 est.)
male: 90,436
female: 87,346 (2010 est.)
1.55% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 179
