2011 Edition

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, a "national unity government" was formed. In late October 2011, elections for a Constituent Assembly were held. The Constituent Assembly is charged with appointing a new interim government, drafting a new constitution, and preparing for legislative and presidential elections.

Area

163,610 sq km 155,360 sq km 8,250 sq km

total

163,610 sq km

water

8,250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Georgia

Climate

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

Coastline

1,148 km

Elevation extremes

Shatt al Gharsah -17 m Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

highest point

Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

lowest point

Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

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

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 Marine Life Conservation

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.64 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%) 261 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

261 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.64 cu km/yr (14%/4%/82%)

Geographic coordinates

34 00 N, 9 00 E

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

Irrigated land

4,450 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,424 km Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

border countries

Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

total

1,424 km

Land use

17.05% 13.08% 69.87% (2005)

arable land

17.05%

other

69.87% (2005)

permanent crops

13.08%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 12 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara

Total renewable water resources

4.6 cu km (2003)

Age structure

23.2% (male 1,274,348/female 1,193,131) 69.3% (male 3,638,014/female 3,728,294) 7.5% (male 390,055/female 405,344) (2011 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

17.4 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.3% (2006)

Death rate

5.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

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

rural

16% of population

total

6% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,400 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

25.92 deaths/1,000 live births 29.6 deaths/1,000 live births 21.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

21.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

25.92 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Life expectancy at birth

75.01 years 73 years 77.17 years (2011 est.)

female

77.17 years (2011 est.)

total population

75.01 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 74.3% 83.4% 65.3% (2004 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

65.3% (2004 census)

male

83.4%

total population

74.3%

Major cities - population

TUNIS (capital) 759,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30 years 29.6 years 30.4 years (2011 est.)

female

30.4 years (2011 est.)

male

29.6 years

total

30 years

Nationality

Tunisian(s) Tunisian

adjective

Tunisian

noun

Tunisian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

10,629,186 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.978% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

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

rural

36% of population

total

15% of population (2008)

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 14 years 15 years (2008)

female

15 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

30.7% 31.4% 29.3% (2005)

female

29.3% (2005)

total

30.7%

Urbanization

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

rate of urbanization

1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

67% of total population (2010)

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)

Capital

Tunis 36 48 N, 10 11 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

36 48 N, 10 11 E

name

Tunis

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002; note - the newly formed Constituent Assembly is charged with writing a new constitution

Country name

Tunisian Republic Tunisia Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah Tunis

conventional long form

Tunisian Republic

conventional short form

Tunisia

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form

Tunis

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Gordon GRAY Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053 use embassy street address [216] 71 107-000 [216] 71 963-263

chief of mission

Ambassador Gordon GRAY

embassy

Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis 1053

FAX

[216] 71 963-263

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[216] 71 107-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mohamed Salah TEKAYA 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 [1] (202) 862-1850 [1] (202) 862-1858

chancery

1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

chief of mission

Ambassador Mohamed Salah TEKAYA

FAX

[1] (202) 862-1858

telephone

[1] (202) 862-1850

Executive branch

President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 13 December 2011) Prime Minister Hamadi JEBALI (since 14 December 2011) Prime Minister JEBALI was asked to form a new government on 14 December 2011 president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011(next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president President MARZOUKI elected by Constituent Assembly with 153 of 156 votes

cabinet

Prime Minister JEBALI was asked to form a new government on 14 December 2011

chief of state

President Moncef MARZOUKI (since 13 December 2011)

election results

President MARZOUKI elected by Constituent Assembly with 153 of 156 votes

elections

president elected by Constituent Assembly; election last held on 12 December 2011(next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Hamadi JEBALI (since 14 December 2011)

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 the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire

Government type

republic

Independence

20 March 1956 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

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

Legislative branch

note - following the 2010-2011 political revolution in Tunisia, a 217-member "Constituent Assembly" was elected on 23 October 2011 percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al-Nahda 89, CPR 29, Popular Petition 26, FDTL 20, PDP 16, PDM 5, The Initiative 5, Afek Tounes 4, PCOT 3, other minor parties each with fewer than three seats 20

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al-Nahda 89, CPR 29, Popular Petition 26, FDTL 20, PDP 16, PDM 5, The Initiative 5, Afek Tounes 4, PCOT 3, other minor parties each with fewer than three seats 20

elections

note - following the 2010-2011 political revolution in Tunisia, a 217-member "Constituent Assembly" was elected on 23 October 2011

National anthem

"Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland) Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates

lyrics/music

Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

name

"Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

National symbol(s)

encircled red star and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Afek Tounes [Emna MINF]; al-Nahda (The Renaissance) [Rachid GHANNOUCHI]; Congress Party for the Republic or CPR [Moncef MARZOUKI]; Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL (Ettakatol) [Mustapha Ben JAAFAR]; Democratic Modernist Pole or PDM (a coalition); Democratic Socialist Movement or MDS; 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 Petition (Aridha Chaabia) [Hachemi HAMDI]; 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]

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

Agriculture - products

olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products

Budget

$10.29 billion $12.15 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$12.15 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$10.29 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2010 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.) 7.305% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$973.4 million (2010 est.) -$1.234 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$23.09 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $21.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40 (2005 est.) 41.7 (1995 est.)

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.

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

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.

Electricity - consumption

12.49 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

129 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

7 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

14.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$16.43 billion (2010 est.) $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)

GDP - composition by sector

10.6% 34.6% 54.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

10.6%

industry

34.6%

services

54.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,400 (2010 est.) $9,200 (2009 est.) $9,000 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.) 3.1% (2009 est.) 4.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.29 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$100 billion (2010 est.) $96.43 billion (2009 est.) $93.54 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 31.5% (2000)

highest 10%

31.5% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$21.01 billion (2010 est.) $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)

Industrial production growth rate

7.7% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.769 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18.3% 31.9% 49.8% (2009 est.)

agriculture

18.3%

industry

31.9%

services

49.8% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.68 billion (31 December 2010) $9.12 billion (31 December 2009) $6.374 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

4.85 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

3.6 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

65.13 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

84,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

91,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

78,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

83,720 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

425 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

3.8% (2005 est.)

Public debt

48% of GDP (2010 est.) 46.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.462 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.06 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$28.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $27.56 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$285 million (31 December 2010 est.) $233 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$31.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $31.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$31.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $29.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$11.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

13% (2010 est.) 13.3% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media is mainly government-controlled; the state-run Tunisian Radio and Television Establishment (ERTT) operates 2 national television networks, several national radio networks, and a number of regional radio stations; 1 TV and 3 radio stations are privately-owned and report domestic news stories directly from the official Tunisian news agency; the state retains control of broadcast facilities and transmitters through L'Office National de la Telediffusion; Tunisians also have access to Egyptian, pan-Arab, and European satellite TV channels (2007)

Internet country code

.tn

Internet hosts

490 (2010)

Internet users

3.5 million (2009)

Telephone system

above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; telephone network is completely digitized; Internet access available throughout the country in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and will begin offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 100 telephones per 100 persons country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches

domestic

in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government has awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between the two mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a strong surge in subscribership; a third mobile, fixed, and ISP operator was licensed in 2009 and will begin offering services in 2010; expansion of mobile-cellular services to include multimedia messaging and e-mail and Internet to mobile phone services also leading to a surge in subscribership; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 100 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

above the African average and continuing to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; telephone network is completely digitized; Internet access available throughout the country

international

country code - 216; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches

Telephones - main lines in use

1.29 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

11.114 million (2010)

Airports

32 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2010)

over 3,047 m

4

total

16

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

7

total

16

under 914 m

7 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2 1 (Panama 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (Panama 1) (2010)

total

11

Pipelines

gas 2,386 km; oil 1,323 km; refined products 453 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira

Railways

2,165 km 471 km 1.435-m gauge 1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2010)

narrow gauge

1,694 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2010)

total

2,165 km

Roadways

19,232 km 12,655 km (includes 262 km of expressways) 6,577 km (2008)

total

19,232 km

unpaved

6,577 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

2,846,572 2,952,180 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,952,180 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,846,572

Manpower fit for military service

2,397,716 2,484,097 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,484,097 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,397,716

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

90,436 87,346 (2010 est.)

female

87,346 (2010 est.)

male

90,436

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)

Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Tunisiens, FAT)

Army, Navy, Republic of Tunisia Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriyah At'Tunisia) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2006)

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)

Disputes - international

none

Trafficking in persons

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 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)

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)