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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 convincing 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, a "national unity government" was formed. Elections for the new Constituent Assembly were held in late October 2011, and in December, it elected human rights activist Moncef MARZOUKI as interim president. The Assembly began drafting a new constitution in February 2012 and, after several iterations and a months-long political crisis that stalled the transition, ratified the document in January 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. In 2016, the new unity government continued to seek to balance political cohesion with economic and social pressures.

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Natural Resources

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

Population - distribution

the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated

10589025
Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)
TUNIS (capital) 1.993 million (2015)
Conventional long form
Republic of Tunisia
Conventional short form
Tunisia
Local long form
Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah
Local short form
Tunis
parliamentary republic
Name
Tunis
Geographic coordinates
36 48 N, 10 11 E
Time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Tunisia's diverse, market-oriented economy has long been cited as a success story in Africa and the Middle East, but it faces an array of challenges following the 2011 Arab Spring revolution, including slow economic growth and high unemployment. Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia embarked on a successful strategy focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the EU.
Inflation
3.711%
External debt stocks
US$ 27,363,419,000
Total tax rate (% of commercial profits)
60.2%
Real Interest Rate
-3.689%
Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP)
16.855%
Current Account Balance
US$ -3,849,716,434
Labor Force, Total
4,137,452
Employment in Agriculture
14.80%
Employment in Industry
33.50%
Employment in Services
51.50%
Unemployment Rate
14.79%
Imports of goods and services
US$ 21,461,499,069
Exports of goods and services
US$ 16,897,811,918
Total Merchandise Trade
78.54%
FDI, net inflows
US$ 965,678,965
Commercial Service Exports
US$ 3,124,195,501
olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products
petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Commodities
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment
Partners
France 30.7%, Italy 19.3%, Germany 11%, Spain 5.2%, Algeria 4.2%, Libya 4% (2015)
Commodities
textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs
Partners
France 18.2%, Italy 15.2%, China 8.5%, Germany 7.5%, Spain 4.3%, Russia 4.1%, Algeria 4.1% (2015)
Country Risk Rating
B
Political and economic uncertainties and an occasionally difficult business environment can affect corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is appreciable.
Business Climate Rating
B
The business environment is mediocre. The availability and the reliability of corporate financial information vary widely. Debt collection can sometimes be difficult. The institutional framework has a few troublesome weaknesses. Intercompany transactions run appreciable risks in the unstable, largely inefficient environments rated B.
  • Natural resources (gas, phosphates) and agricultural and tourism resources
  • Gradual poltical transition
  • Diversification of the economy underway and reasonably skilled labor force
  • Proximity to the European market and Association Agreement with the EU
  • Strong social and geographic inequalities
  • High unemployment, mainly among young people
  • Economic importance of agriculture
  • Tourism sector facing political and security issues and greater competition

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