Tunisia

Tunisia

Introduction

Background

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, Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI announced the formation of a “national unity government” with the head of the Chamber of Deputies, Fouad M’BAZAA, as the interim president.

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
country comparison to the world: 93 land:155,360 sq km
water:8,250 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries

total: 1,424 km
border countries:Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 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 extremes

lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m
highest point:Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

arable land: 17.05%
permanent crops:13.08%
other:69.87% (2005)

Irrigated land

4,450 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

4.6 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.64cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)
per capita:261cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

NA

Environment – current issues

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

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

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

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)

Religions

Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Population

10,629,186 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,274,348/female 1,193,131)
15-64 years:69.3% (male 3,638,014/female 3,728,294)
65 years and over:7.5% (male 390,055/female 405,344) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30 years
male:29.6 years
female:30.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.978% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Birth rate

17.4 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Death rate

5.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Net migration rate

-1.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Urbanization

urban population: 67% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

TUNIS (capital) 759,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.86 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 91

Infant mortality rate

total: 25.92 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 79 male:29.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female:21.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.01 years
country comparison to the world: 90 male:73 years
female:77.17 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 100

Physicians density

1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 99

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 84% of population
total: 94% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 16% of population
total: 6% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 64% of population
total: 85% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 36% of population
total: 15% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

2,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.3% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 102

Education expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 15

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:74.3%
male:83.4%
female:65.3% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years
male:14 years
female:15 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 30.7%
country comparison to the world: 14 male:31.4%
female:29.3% (2005)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Tunisian Republic
conventional short form:Tunisia
local long form:Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
local short form:Tunis

Government type

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)

Administrative divisions

24 governorates

Ariana (Aryanah), 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), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan)

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

also the anniversary of BEN ALI’s assumption of the presidency, 7 November (1987)

Constitution

1 June 1959

amended 1988, 2002

note – the newly formed legislative body, the Constituent Assembly, is charged by the interim government with writing a new constitution

Legal system

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

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

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: Interim President Fouad M’BAZAA (since 15 January 2011)

note – an interim government took office on 17 January 2011 to replace the government of former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI
head of government:Prime Minister Beji CAID ESSEBSI (since 27 February 2011)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president

note – the formation of a new cabinet was announced on 17 January 2011
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits)

election last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)

prime minister appointed by the president
election results:President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fifth term

percent of vote – Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 89.6%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 5%, Ahmed INOUBLI 3.8%, Ahmed BRAHIM 1.6%

voter turnout 89.4%

Legislative branch

note – following the 2010-2011 political revolution in Tunisia, an interim government was formed to include an interim legislative body, the “Constituent Assembly”
elections:note – initial election of 218 Constituent Assembly members held on 23 October 2011
election results:NA

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Political parties and leaders

Afek Tounes [Emna MINF]

al-Nahda (Renaissance) [Rachid GHANNOUCHI]

Congress for the Republic or CPR [Moncef MARZOUKI]

Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL [Mustapha Ben JAFAAR]

Et-Tajdid Movement [Ahmed IBRAHIM];

Green Party for Progress or PVP [Mongi KHAMASSI]

Liberal Social Party or PSL [Mondher THABET]

Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]

Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA]

Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [Maya JERIBI]

The Initiative [Kamel MORJANE] (formerly the Constitutional Democratic Rally or RCD)

Tunisian Workers’ Communist Party or PCOT [Hamma HAMMAMI]

Unionist Democratic Union or UDU [Ahmed INOUBLI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

18 October Group [collective leadership]

Tunisian League for Human Rights or LTDH [Mokhtar TRIFI]

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Salah TEKAYA
chancery:1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:[1] (202) 862-1850
FAX:[1] (202) 862-1858

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon GRAY
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

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)

encircled red star and crescent

National anthem

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

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth, which averaged almost 5% over the past decade, declined to 4.6% in 2008 and to 3-4% in 2009-10 because of economic contraction and slowing of import demand in Europe – Tunisia’s largest export market. However, development of non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural production, and strong growth in the services sector somewhat mitigated the economic effect of slowing exports. Tunisia will need to reach even higher growth levels to create sufficient employment opportunities for an already large number of unemployed as well as the growing population of university graduates. The challenges ahead include: privatizing industry, liberalizing the investment code to increase foreign investment, improving government efficiency, reducing the trade deficit, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in the impoverished south and west.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$100 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 $96.43 billion (2009 est.)
$93.54 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.29 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 3.1% (2009 est.)
4.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$9,400 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113 $9,200 (2009 est.)
$9,000 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 10.6%
industry:34.6%
services:54.8% (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.769 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 18.3%
industry:31.9%
services:49.8% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate

13% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 13.3% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

3.8% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%:31.5% (2000)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

40 (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63 41.7 (1995 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Budget

revenues: $10.29 billion
expenditures:$12.15 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Public debt

48% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 46.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138 3.5% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135 7.305% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$11.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71 $11.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$28.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 $27.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$31.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69 $29.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.68 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 69 $9.12 billion (31 December 2009)
$6.374 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds

beef, dairy products

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

7.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity – production

14.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity – consumption

12.49 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity – exports

129 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity – imports

7 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

83,720 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Oil – consumption

84,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Oil – exports

91,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Oil – imports

78,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Oil – proved reserves

425 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas – production

3.6 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas – consumption

4.85 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas – imports

1.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Natural gas – proved reserves

65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Current account balance

-$973.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131 -$1.234 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$16.43 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75 $14.42 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment

Exports – partners

France 26.5%, Italy 17.4%, Germany 9.6%, Libya 6.2%, UK 5.6%, Spain 4.2% (2010)

Imports

$21.01 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69 $18.12 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports – partners

France 20.4%, Italy 20.2%, Germany 9.1%, Spain 5.2%, China 4.5% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.462 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 $11.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$23.09 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 $21.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$31.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61 $31.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$285 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79 $233 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -
1.4367 (2010)
1.3503 (2009)
1.211 (2008)
1.2776 (2007)
1.331 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

32 (2010)
country comparison to the world:113

Airports – with paved runways

total: 16
over 3,047 m:4
2,438 to 3,047 m:6
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:4 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:7
under 914 m:7 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 2,386 km

oil 1,323 km

refined products 453 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,165 km
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) (2010)

Roadways

total: 19,232 km
country comparison to the world: 111 paved:12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways)
unpaved:6,577 km (2008)

Merchant marine

total: 11
country comparison to the world: 110 by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2
registered in other countries:1 (Panama 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira

Military

Military branches

Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Tunisiens, FAT): Army, Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At’Tunisia) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 years of age for voluntary military service

1-year conscript service obligation (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,846,572
females age 16-49:2,952,180 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,397,716
females age 16-49:2,484,097 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 90,436
female:87,346 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 109

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Tunisia is a source, destination, and possible transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking

young girls are forced into domestic servitude, some of whom are subsequently sexually and physically abused
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government did not show evidence of progress in prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders, proactively identifying or protecting trafficking victims, or raising public awareness of human trafficking

the current government has established a National Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons and is drafting comprehensive counter-trafficking legislation (2011)