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Tunisia

Africa · Tunis · parliamentary republic

What Tunisia means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

Map showing the location of Tunisia

$1.0B

U.S. imports, 2025

-9.6%

change in one year

$590M

U.S. exports, 2025

12M

Population

$53.4B

GDP

In your house

What you buy that Tunisia makes

America bought $1.0B in goods from Tunisia in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.

Food oils, oilseeds

$340M33.5%

Electric apparatus

$134M13.2%

Apparel, household goods - cotton

cotton clothing and linens

$57M5.7%

Crude oil

$46M4.5%

Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton

synthetic and performance apparel

$39M3.8%

Other parts and accessories of vehicles

car parts and accessories

$30M3%

Engines-civilian aircraft

$29M2.9%

Industrial supplies, other

$25M2.5%

Industrial machines, other

$25M2.5%

Industrial engines

$21M2.1%

2026 so far (through April): $403M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

The other direction

What America sells to Tunisia

$590M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Soybeans

$98M

meat at the counter

Plastic materials

$77M

plastics for packaging and goods

Corn

$64M

Other industrial supplies

$35M

Animal feeds, n.e.c.

$27M

Telecommunications equipment

$20M

phones, routers, networking gear

Pulpwood and woodpulp

$16M

Parts for military-type goods

$14M

Petroleum products, other

$14M

Where you stand

U.S. tariff posture toward Tunisia

Tunisia was assigned 28% in April 2025, reduced to 25% effective August 7 without a formal deal. The tariff hit its olive oil exports hardest (about $223M to the U.S. in 2023, its top export), along with fertilizers, textiles, and dates, and the suspension of the $800 de minimis exemption added pressure on small exporters. Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions, Feb 20, 2026) terminated the IEEPA reciprocal duties, and Proclamation 11012 replaced it with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge effective February 24, 2026. Tunisia has no Section 232 steel/aluminum exposure.

Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)

28%

The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

U.S. tariff policy toward Tunisia has changed 4 times since 2025. This page tracks it.

  1. 2026-02-24

    IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122

    In effect

    Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing Tunisia's 25% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days).

    91 FR 9437 →

  2. 2025-08-07

    Rate set at 25% — no deal reached

    In effect

    Executive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; Tunisia's rate was set at 25% effective August 7, 2025 with no bilateral agreement, weighing on its olive oil and textile exporters.

    90 FR 37963 →

  3. 2025-04-10

    Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days

    In effect

    Executive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including Tunisia's 28% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days to allow negotiations.

    90 FR 15625 →

  4. 2025-04-05

    Reciprocal tariff regime begins — Tunisia assigned 28%

    In effect

    Executive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and a 28% country-specific rate for Tunisia scheduled to take effect April 9, citing a trade imbalance the administration called a threat to U.S. economic security.

    90 FR 15041 →
Compare all countries’ tariffs →Your tariff impact →

Reference

The country itself

Africa · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

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.

Regional map of Tunisia

Geography

Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Area
163,610 sq km
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Coastline
1,148 km
Natural hazards
flooding; earthquakes; droughts

People & society

Population
11,962,995 (2025 est.)
Nationality
Tunisian(s)
Ethnic groups
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight
Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%
Median age
34.1 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
77.3 years (2024 est.)
Literacy
86.2% (2023 est.)

Economy

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
Industries
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, olives, onions, chillies/peppers, watermelons, potatoes, wheat, dates, oranges (2023)
Exports - partners
France 22%, Italy 17%, Germany 13%, USA 4%, Libya 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
Italy 13%, France 12%, China 10%, Russia 8%, Germany 7% (2023)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
Tunis
Independence
20 March 1956 (from France)
Constitution
several previous; latest draft published by the president 30 June 2022, approved by referendum 25 July 2022, and adopted 27 July 2022
Executive branch
President Kais SAIED (since 23 October 2019)
Legislative branch
bicameral

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

Introduction
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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US State Department currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Tunisia due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
For the latest passport and visa requirements for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool, available through the link below. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
US Embassy/Consulate
[216] 71 107-000; US Embassy Tunis, Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis, Tunisia; tunisacs@state.gov; https://tn.usembassy.gov/
LGBTQIA+ Travelers
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html
Telephone Code
216
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 190; Fire: 198; Police: 197
Vaccinations
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Tunisia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, COVID-19, and influenza. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Currency (Code)
Tunisian dinars (TND)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
Arabic, French, Berber
Major Religions
Muslim (Sunni), other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim and Baha'i)
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Tunis (includes Medina, Al-Zaytuna Mosque, Ville Nouvelle); Carthage; Bardo National Museum; Sidi Bou Said; El Jem amphitheater; Monastir; Dougga
Major Sports
Soccer, handball, basketball, volleyball
Cultural Practices
Tunisians take their time during greetings to converse about their families, friends, and other general topics. Handshakes are the customary greeting among individuals of the same sex.
Tipping Guidelines
Tip 5-15%, or round up the bill at restaurants. Hotel porters expect 5 dinars per bag and hotel maids 20 dinars per week as a gratuity. Round up the fare for taxis or add 5% to the total.
Souvenirs
Woven carpets/rugs, copper and brassware, olivewood sculptures, carved wooden birdcages, ceramic and tile goods, kaftans, shisha water pipes
Traditional Cuisine
Couscous — semolina flour sprinkled with water until it forms into tiny pellets that are then pushed through a sieve; typically steamed to a crumbly paste and tossed with a variety of ingredients including carrots, potatoes, turnips, and parsley
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Geography
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates
34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area - total
163,610 sq km
Area - land
155,360 sq km
Area - water
8,250 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries - total
1,495 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Algeria 1,034 km; Libya 461 km
Coastline
1,148 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
12 nm
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain
mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
Elevation - highest point
Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m
Elevation - lowest point
Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
Elevation - mean elevation
246 m
Natural resources
petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Land use - agricultural land
62.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
4.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
33.1% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
3,920 sq km (2013)
Major aquifers
North Western Sahara Aquifer System
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
Natural hazards
flooding; earthquakes; droughts
Geography - note
strategic location in central Mediterranean
People and Society
Population - total
11,962,995 (2025 est.)
Population - male
5,926,741
Population - female
6,036,254
Nationality - noun
Tunisian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Tunisian
Ethnic groups
Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%
Languages - Languages
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight
Languages - 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.
Languages - note
note: despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population
Religions
Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1%
Age structure - 0-14 years
24.4% (male 1,516,871/female 1,426,522)
Age structure - 15-64 years
65.2% (male 3,861,731/female 3,990,802)
Age structure - 65 years and over
10.4% (2024 est.) (male 593,640/female 659,281)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
50.7 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
35.6 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
15.1 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
6.6 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
34.1 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
33.6 years
Median age - female
35.1 years
Population growth rate
0.38% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
11.35 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
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
Urbanization - urban population
70.5% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.475 million TUNIS (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.97 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.9 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
36 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
12.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
9.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
77.3 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
75.7 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
79.1 years
Total fertility rate
1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.77 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 93.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 6.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Hospital bed density
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 99% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 1% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
26.9% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
1.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
19% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
37.6% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
1.4% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.6% (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52.5% (2023 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
0% (2018)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
1.5% (2018)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
0% (2018)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
6.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
17.3% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy - total population
86.2% (2023 est.)
Literacy - male
92.7% (2023 est.)
Literacy - female
80.1% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
14 years (2016 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
14 years (2016 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
15 years (2016 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of Tunisia
Country name - conventional short form
Tunisia
Country name - local long form
Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
Country name - local short form
Tunis
Country name - etymology
the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital - name
Tunis
Capital - geographic coordinates
36 48 N, 10 11 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
the origin of the ancient name is unclear; it is sometimes associated with the name of the Phoenician goddess Tanith
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)
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
Constitution - history
several previous; latest draft published by the president 30 June 2022, approved by referendum 25 July 2022, and adopted 27 July 2022
Constitution - 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
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
Executive branch - chief of state
President Kais SAIED (since 23 October 2019)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Sarra ZAAFRANI Zenzri (since 21 March 2025)
Executive branch - cabinet
prime minister appointed by the president; cabinet members appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
Executive branch - 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)
Executive branch - most recent election date
6 October 2024
Executive branch - 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%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2029
Executive branch - note
note: the president can dismiss any member of government on his own initiative or in consultation with the prime minister
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - note
note: in 2022, President SAIED issued a new electoral law that requires all legislative candidates to run as independents
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
Assembly of People's Representatives (Majlis Nawwab ash-Sha'ab)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
161 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
plurality/majority
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
12/17/2022 to 1/29/2023
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
15.8%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
December 2027
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
National Council of Regions and Districts
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
77 (all indirectly elected)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
4/19/2024
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
13%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
April 2029
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)
Judicial branch - 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)
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts
Judicial branch - note
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
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
Political parties - note
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
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anis HAJRI (since 1 August 2025)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 862-1850
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 862-1858
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
AT.Washington@Tunisiaembassy.org https://www.tunisianembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Bill BAZZI (since 21 November 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
6360 Tunis Place, Washington DC 20521-6360
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[216] 71-107-000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[216] 71-107-090
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
tuniswebsitecontact@state.gov https://tn.usembassy.gov/
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
Independence
20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)
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
National symbol(s)
red crescent moon and five-pointed star in a white circle
National color(s)
red, white
National anthem(s) - title
"Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
9 (8 cultural, 1 natural)
National heritage - 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)
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$156.086 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$154.006 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$153.945 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
0% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$12,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$12,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$12,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$53.41 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
7.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
9.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
9.3% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
23.6% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
62.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
76.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
18.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
13.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
48.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-56.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, tomatoes, olives, onions, chillies/peppers, watermelons, potatoes, wheat, dates, oranges (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Industrial production growth rate
-2.5% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
4.247 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
16.3% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
15.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
15.3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
40.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
41.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
37.6% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
16.6% (2021 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
33.7 (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
22.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
3.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
3.1% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
27% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
6.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
6.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$10.866 billion (2019 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$12.375 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt - Public debt 2016
62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$1.111 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$3.969 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2021
-$2.77 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2023
$19.732 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$17.254 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$14.054 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
France 22%, Italy 17%, Germany 13%, USA 4%, Libya 4% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
garments, insulated wire, olive oil, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$21.953 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$22.453 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$18.178 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Italy 13%, France 12%, China 10%, Russia 8%, Germany 7% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, plastic products, cars, plastics (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$9.344 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$9.24 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$8.094 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$21.212 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
3.107 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
3.106 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
3.104 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
2.794 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
2.812 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
100%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
99.7%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
6.639 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
19.153 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
80 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
2.576 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
4.629 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
96.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Coal - exports
28 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
104,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
425 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
1.313 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
5.131 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
3.887 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
65.129 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
33.754 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
1.863 million (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
15 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
14.4 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
118 (2024 est.)
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)
Internet country code
.tn
Internet users - percent of population
72% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
1.73 million (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
14 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TS
Airports
14 (2025)
Heliports
11 (2025)
Railways - total
2,173 km (2014) (1,991 in use)
Railways - standard gauge
471 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Railways - narrow gauge
1,694 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)
Railways - dual gauge
8 km (2014) 1.435-1.000-m gauge
Merchant marine - total
72 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
container ship 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 62
Ports - total ports
16 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
3
Ports - small
7
Ports - very small
6
Ports - ports with oil terminals
10
Ports - key ports
Ashtart Oil Terminal, Banzart, Didon Terminal, Gabes, La Goulette, Menzel Bourguiba, Mersa Sfax, Sousse, Tazerka Oil Terminal, Tunis
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armées 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)
Military and security forces - note
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
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)
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, Türkiye, and the US (2025)
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)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: compulsory national service may be in the Armed Forces or other government ministries as needed
Military deployments
840 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
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)
Terrorism
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
Terrorist group(s) - note
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
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
12,575 (2024 est.)
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
Environment
Environmental issues
toxic and hazardous waste disposal; water pollution from raw sewage; limited freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
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
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Marine Life Conservation
Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Land use - agricultural land
62.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
4.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
33.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
70.5% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
24.645 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
14.249 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
10.392 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
26.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
88 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
94.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
97.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
2.7 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10.9% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
815.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
61.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
2.71 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
4.615 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
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