Country Profile: Tunisia

Tunisia, located in Northern Africa along the Mediterranean Sea, has a rich history shaped by numerous empires and a modern political landscape marked by significant changes since the Arab Spring. With a population of approximately 12 million people, the nation grapples with high unemployment, especially among youth, and seeks economic reform amidst substantial public debt. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Tunisia operates under a bicameral legislature and has a dynamic political environment following changes in leadership and constitutional developments after the 2011 revolution.

Geography

Tunisia's geographical features include a strategic location in the central Mediterranean, characterized by a temperate climate in the north and a desert environment in the south. The majority of the population resides in the northern half of the country, with many natural resources, particularly in the form of petroleum and phosphates.

Total Area: 163,610 sq km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Highest Point: 1,544 m at Jebel ech Chambi
Natural Resources: Petroleum, phosphates, iron ore
Agricultural Land: 62.4% of total land (2023 est.)
Mean Elevation: 246 m

People and Society

Tunisia has a diverse demographic makeup, predominantly Arab (98%), with a significant youth population. The country boasts a literacy rate of 86.2% and a life expectancy of 77.3 years. The nation is largely urbanized, with around 70.5% of the population living in urban areas.

Population: 11,962,995 (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 70.5% (2023)
Major Urban Area: 2.475 million in Tunis (2023)
Religion: 99% Muslim (official, Sunni)
Languages: Arabic (official), French widely spoken
Median Age: 34.1 years (2025 est.)

Economy

Tunisia’s economy is classified as lower middle-income, heavily reliant on services and agriculture, though it faces challenges like high unemployment and public debt. The economy has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but is gradually recovering with reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment.

GDP (PPP): $156.086 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 16.3% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Exports: $19.732 billion (2023 est.)
Imports: $21.953 billion (2023 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate: 40.1% (2024 est.)

Government

Tunisia is a parliamentary republic with a complex governance structure shaped by recent constitutional changes. The current president is Kais SAIED, who has significantly expanded presidential powers since his election. The legislative framework includes a bicameral assembly, reflective of the nation’s transition to democracy following the Arab Spring.

Government Type: Parliamentary Republic
Capital: Tunis
National Holiday: Independence Day on 20 March
Constitution: Most recent approved in 2022
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Estimated Next Election: 2029

Military and Security

The Tunisian Armed Forces are tasked with national defense and internal security, focusing on counterterrorism. Military spending represents about 2.5% of the GDP, reflecting ongoing efforts to equip and modernize forces.

Active Duty Personnel: 35,000 (2025)
Military Expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Compulsory Service: 12 months for men aged 20-35
Military Deployments: 840 in Central African Republic (2025)
National Police Responsibility: Law enforcement in urban areas

Energy

Tunisia relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with a commitment to improving its energy sector. Recent developments include significant electricity generation capacity and minor contributions from renewable sources.

Electricity Access: 100% of the population (2022 est.)
Installed Generating Capacity: 6.639 million kW (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 33.754 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Petroleum Production: 35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 1.313 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Environment

Tunisia faces several environmental challenges, including water pollution and limited freshwater resources. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to addressing these issues.

Total CO2 Emissions: 24.645 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Agricultural Land: 62.4% (2023 est.)
Water Withdrawal: 4.615 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Deforestation Issues: Yes
Municipal Solid Waste: 2.7 million tons generated annually (2024 est.)

Transportation

Tunisia's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways, several airports, and a developing maritime sector, facilitating both domestic and international travel.

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

Communications

Tunisia has a growing telecommunications sector, with high mobile cellular subscription rates and a significant presence of internet users, demonstrating a commitment to improving connectivity.

Internet Users: 72% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 14.4 million (2024)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1.863 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 1.73 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,962,995	(2025 est.)
Area	163,610 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$156.086 billion	(2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	33.754 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	11.35 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	16.3%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.3 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	86.2%	(2023 est.)
Urban Population	70.5% of total population	(2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	24.645 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)