Tunisia
Stalling without falling (for now)
Last update – January 2024
Country rating
HIGH RISK FOR ENTERPRISE
Economic risk
Business environment risk
Political risk
Commercial risk
Financing risk
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GDP | USD46.7bn (World ranking 90, World Bank 2022) |
Population | 12.4mn (World ranking 78, World Bank 2022) |
Form of state |
Republic |
Head of government |
Kaïs Saïed (President) |
Next elections |
2024, presidential |
Strengths & weaknesses
- Diversified economy with educated workforce and known capabilities in manufacturing, plastics, petrochemicals, transportation, agriculture and tourism
- Tunisian authorities successfully managed repayments of maturities in 2023 recurring to bilateral aid and import restrictions
- Despite concerns about debt sustainability and potential reserve depletion, a default does not look imminent
- The ability to navigate economic challenges suggests a degree of resilience and adaptability
- Massive youth unemployment (~40%), coast-inland inequality, talent flight and fragile social stability
- A deeply distorted economy with long-lasting entry barriers and high business costs across sectors
- A splintered political landscape and an abysmally low election turnout contribute to institutional rigidities and raises concerns about the legitimacy of government actions
- Continuous postponement and increased distance in negotiations with the IMF signal a lack of consensus on a viable economic recovery plan, exacerbating the credibility crisis
Economic overview
Trade structure by destination/origin
(% of total, 2022)
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Exports | Rank | Imports | ||
France 25.7% | 1 | 13.8% Italy | ||
Italy 19.6% | 2 | 11.7% France | ||
Germany 13.6% | 3 | 10.7% China | ||
Spain 4.3 | 4 | 6.7% Germany | ||
Lybia 4.1% |
5 |
5.5% Türkiye |
Trade structure by product
(% of total, 2022)
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Exports | Rank | Imports |
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s. 20.5%
|
1 |
14.1% Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials
|
Articles of apparel & clothing accessories 13.5%
|
2 |
9.9% Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s.
|
Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 9.7%
|
3 |
6.6% Textile yarn and related products
|
Fixed vegetable oils and fats, crude, refined or fractionated 6.1%
|
4 |
5.9% Cereals and cereal preparations
|
Professional and scientific instruments, n.e.s. 3.7%
|
5 |
5.2% Road vehicles
|
Contact
Luca Moneta
Allianz Trade
Allianz Trade
Contact Allianz Trade
Economic Research Team
Economic Research Team