Tunisia — CIA World Factbook

AfricaCapital: TunisPop: 11,962,995 (2025 est.)

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.

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

land

155,360 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries

total

1,495 km

border countries

Algeria 1,034 km; Libya 461 km

Coastline

1,148 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

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

lowest point

Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

mean elevation

246 m

Natural resources

petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Land use

agricultural land

62.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.)

forest

4.5% (2023 est.)

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.)

male

5,926,741

female

6,036,254

Nationality

noun

Tunisian(s)

adjective

Tunisian

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Tamazight

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.

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)

15-64 years

65.2% (male 3,861,731/female 3,990,802)

65 years and over

10.4% (2024 est.) (male 593,640/female 659,281)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

50.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

35.6 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

15.1 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

6.6 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

34.1 years (2025 est.)

male

33.6 years

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)

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

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.9 male(s)/female

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.)

male

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female

9.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

77.3 years (2024 est.)

male

75.7 years

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.)

improved: rural

rural: 93.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 6.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7% of GDP (2021)

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.)

improved: rural

rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

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.)

beer

0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

19% (2025 est.)

male

37.6% (2025 est.)

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)

women married by age 18

1.5% (2018)

men married by age 18

0% (2018)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

6.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

17.3% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population

86.2% (2023 est.)

male

92.7% (2023 est.)

female

80.1% (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

14 years (2016 est.)

male

14 years (2016 est.)

female

15 years (2016 est.)

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

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.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 18.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 30.6% (2023 est.)

forest

4.5% (2023 est.)

other

33.1% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

70.5% of total population (2023)

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.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

4,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

14.249 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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.)

agriculture

94.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste

97.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)

other

3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

2.7 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

10.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

815.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

61.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

2.71 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

4.615 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Tunisia

conventional short form

Tunisia

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form

Tunis

etymology

the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis

Government type

parliamentary republic

Capital

name

Tunis

geographic coordinates

36 48 N, 10 11 E

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

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

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia

dual citizenship recognized

yes

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)

head of government

Prime Minister Sarra ZAAFRANI Zenzri (since 21 March 2025)

cabinet

prime minister appointed by the president; cabinet members appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister

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)

most recent election date

6 October 2024

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%

expected date of next election

2029

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

Assembly of People's Representatives (Majlis Nawwab ash-Sha'ab)

number of seats

161 (all directly elected)

electoral system

plurality/majority

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

12/17/2022 to 1/29/2023

percentage of women in chamber

15.8%

expected date of next election

December 2027

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

National Council of Regions and Districts

number of seats

77 (all indirectly elected)

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

4/19/2024

percentage of women in chamber

13%

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)

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)

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anis HAJRI (since 1 August 2025)

chancery

1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

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)

embassy

Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis

mailing address

6360 Tunis Place, Washington DC 20521-6360

telephone

[216] 71-107-000

FAX

[216] 71-107-090

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)

lyrics/music

Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

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)

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) 2023

$154.006 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$153.945 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

1.4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

2.7% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

$12,700 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$12,600 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$12,700 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$53.41 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

7.2% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

9.3% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

8.3% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

9.3% (2023 est.)

industry

23.6% (2023 est.)

services

62.1% (2023 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

76.2% (2024 est.)

government consumption

18.6% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

13.4% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

48.4% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-56.6% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

milk, tomatoes, olives, onions, chillies/peppers, watermelons, potatoes, wheat, dates, oranges (2023)

Industries

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Industrial production growth rate

-2.5% (2024 est.)

Labor force

4.247 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

16.3% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

15.2% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

15.3% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

40.1% (2024 est.)

male

41.1% (2024 est.)

female

37.6% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.6% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

33.7 (2021 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food

22.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco

3.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

3.1% (2021 est.)

highest 10%

27% (2021 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2023

6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

6.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

6.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues

$10.866 billion (2019 est.)

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 2022

-$3.969 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$2.77 billion (2021 est.)

Exports

Exports 2023

$19.732 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

$17.254 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

$14.054 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

France 22%, Italy 17%, Germany 13%, USA 4%, Libya 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities

garments, insulated wire, olive oil, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023)

Imports

Imports 2023

$21.953 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

$22.453 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

$18.178 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

Italy 13%, France 12%, China 10%, Russia 8%, Germany 7% (2023)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, plastic products, cars, plastics (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$9.344 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$9.24 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$8.094 billion (2022 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

$21.212 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

3.107 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

3.106 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

3.104 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

2.794 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

2.812 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

100%

electrification - rural areas

99.7%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

6.639 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption

19.153 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports

80 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports

2.576 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

4.629 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

96.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption

2,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

28 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production

35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

104,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

425 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production

1.313 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption

5.131 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

3.887 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

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.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

14.4 million (2024 est.)

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.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

14 (2025)

Heliports

11 (2025)

Railways

total

2,173 km (2014) (1,991 in use)

standard gauge

471 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge

1,694 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)

dual gauge

8 km (2014) 1.435-1.000-m gauge

Merchant marine

total

72 (2023)

by type

container ship 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 62

Ports

total ports

16 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

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 expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

3% of GDP (2021 est.)

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 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

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