Tunisia is a north African country, with access to vital shipping routes. Politically the country is relatively stable, and its diverse economy has been growing steadily in recent years. President Ali is currently serving his fifth term in office. The opposition condemned changes to the constitution, which allowed him to run for re-election in 2004, and in 2009. The country's official languages are Arabic and French.

Leader: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Fifth term)
Capital city: Tunis

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Tunisian dinar
GDP per capita: $2 990,30 (2008) (IMF)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 10,8% (2008) (World Bank)
Industry: 28,3% (2008) (World Bank)
Services: 61% (2008) (World Bank)
GDP growth rate: 4,7% (2008) (World Bank)
Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: 23,6% of GDP (2005) (IMF)
Government expenditure and net lending: 26,9% of GDP (2005) (IMF)
Consumer price inflation: 5% (2008) (IMF)
Industries: Petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, and beverages
Exports of goods and services: 54,4% (2006) (World Bank)
Imports of goods and services: 54,3% (2006) (World Bank)
Export commodities: Clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, and electrical equipment
Import commodities: Not stated
Trade balance: -6,8% of GDP (2005) (IMF)
Reserves: 3,7 months of imports (2005) (IMF)
Total investment: 24,4% of GDP (2008) (IMF)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: 14,7% (2006) (World Bank)

Social profile

Population: 10,48-million (2009) (CIA)
Population growth: 0,9% (2008) (World Bank)
Life expectancy at birth: 7 years (2008) (World Bank)
Adult literacy: 74,3% (2004) (UNStats)
School enrolment primary: 109,4% (2006) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 83,2% (2005) (World Bank)
School enrolment tertiary: 30,2% (2006) (World Bank)
Unemployment: 14% (2008) (UNStats)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: Figure not available

Election profile

Pre-election report

Post-election report