Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 163,610 sq km
country comparison to the world: 93
land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,424 km
border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,148 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 12 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 17.35%
permanent crops: 14.63%
other: 68.02% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,970 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2.85 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)
per capita: 295.8 cu m/yr (2001)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Tunisian(s)
adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim (Islam - official) 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,835,873 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 43.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 33.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 %
potential support ratio: 9.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 31 years
male: 30.5 years
female: 31.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.95% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 66.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
TUNIS (capital) 759,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 105
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 75.46 years
country comparison to the world: 93
male: 73.4 years
female: 77.66 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.01 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63% (2012)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 104
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.22 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.3% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 109
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 35
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.1%
male: 87.4%
female: 71.1% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 42.3% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 10
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Tunisian Republic
conventional short form: Tunisia
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form: Tunis
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Tunis
geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014 (2014)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Afek Tounes [Emna MINF]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 October Group [collective leadership]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
encircled red star and crescent
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$104 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$44.79 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 9%
industry: 30.3%
services: 60.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.914 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 18.3%
industry: 31.9%
services: 49.8% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.8% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 31.5% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $11.85 billion
expenditures: $13.07 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.31% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13.44 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$31.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$36.09 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.662 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 72
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-3.773 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.07 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 26.2%, Italy 16%, Germany 9.4%, Libya 7.6%, US 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$23.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 19.8%, Italy 16.7%, Germany 7.3%, China 6%, Spain 5.3%, Algeria 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$33.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$285 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.14 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.29 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.652 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
96.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68,310 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
425 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 52
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11,170 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
88,380 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,391 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80,980 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.28 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.78 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 60
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.52 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.105 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 71
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.84 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 68
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.tn
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
576 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 180
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.5 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 60
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 118
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 68 km; gas 3,111 km; oil 1,381 km; refined products 453 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19,418 km
country comparison to the world: 112
paved: 14,756 km (includes 357 km of expressways)
unpaved: 4,662 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 116
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20-23 years of age for compulsory service, one year service obligation; 18-23 years of age for voluntary service; Tunisian nationality required (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,846,572
females age 16-49: 2,952,180 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,397,716
females age 16-49: 2,484,097 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 90,436
female: 87,346 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.55% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 179
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none