Tunisia

World Book Index

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. In 1818, France established a protectorate. The French recognized Tunisia as an independent state in 1956.

Geography

Area
total : 163,610 sq km
land: 155,360 sq km
water: 8,250 sq km

Climate
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

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

People and Society

Population
total: 12,048,847 (2024 est.)

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%

Population growth rate
0.58% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Tunis

Executive branch
chief of state: President Kais SAIED (since 23 October 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Sarra ZAAFRANI Zenzri (since 21 March 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anis HAJRI (since 1 August 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Joey HOOD (since 2 February 2023)

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)
$156.086 billion (2024 est.)
$154.006 billion (2023 est.)
$153.945 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$12,700 (2024 est.)
$12,600 (2023 est.)
$12,700 (2022 est.)

Exports
$19.732 billion (2023 est.)
$17.254 billion (2022 est.)
$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
$21.953 billion (2023 est.)
$22.453 billion (2022 est.)
$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)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.746, ranking it 105th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 128th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.289. (more information)