Tunisia flag

Tunisia

Republic of Tunisia
Arabic (French widely used) Currency TND Civil law with Islamic elements COMESA • Agadir • AfCFTA

Diversified North African economy closely integrated with the EU through manufacturing (automotive wiring, textiles, electronics) alongside agri-food and tourism. Olive oil is a leading commodity export. Reforms focus on investment facilitation via the Tunisia Investment Authority and digital tax filing; capital markets center on the Bourse de Tunis with active government debt issuance.

Overview

Manufacturing for export (automotive wiring harnesses, electronics, apparel) drives goods trade with the EU, complemented by olive oil and tourism. Business registration is centralized at the RNE while investment declarations and incentives are coordinated by the Tunisia Investment Authority. Tax accounts and returns are managed online via the Jibaya portal; foreign trade procedures use the Tunisie TradeNet single window.

Snapshot

Population
~12.35 M 2025
UN WPP 2024; INS
GDP current USD
$53.4 B 2024
World Bank WDI
GDP per Capita
$4,350 2024
World Bank WDI
Inflation y over y
5.3% Jul 2025
INS monthly CPI note
Policy Rate
7.5% Jul 2025
Central Bank of Tunisia / Reuters
Internet Use
~72% 2023
World Bank WDI
Electrification
~100% 2021
World Bank WDI
Market Note
BVMT equities; gov’t bonds (BTA)
Bourse de Tunis

Focus Sectors

Automotive wiring & electronics Aeronautics components Olive oil & agri-food Textiles & apparel Tourism & hospitality Plastics & packaging Logistics & ports Pharmaceuticals Phosphates & fertilizers Renewable energy

Trade

Top Export Partners 2023

  • France22.0%
  • Italy18.3%
  • Germany13.1%
  • Spain5.3%
  • Libya4.3%
WITS/UN Comtrade via TrendEconomy 2023

Top Export Goods

Insulated wire & cable Olive oil Crude & refined petroleum Apparel Vehicle parts Phosphoric acid
OEC 2023; TrendEconomy 2023

Top Import Partners 2023

  • Italy12.4%
  • France10.6%
  • China10.5%
  • Russia8.2%
  • Algeria7.0%
WITS/UN Comtrade via TrendEconomy 2023

Top Import Goods 2023

  • Refined petroleum$2.1 B
  • Petroleum gas$1.65 B
  • Passenger cars$0.81 B
  • Wheat$0.79 B
  • Copper wire$0.50 B
OEC / TrendEconomy 2023

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyTunisian Dinar TND
  • Monetary policy rate7.5%
  • FX regimeDe jure float; crawl-like/managed in practice
BCT/Reuters; IMF Article IV notes

Markets

  • ExchangeBourse de Tunis (BVMT)
  • DebtGovernment bonds (BTA) and T-bills active
  • Listings~75 companies 2025
BVMT

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Incorporate/register at the RNE (company ID issued)
  2. Obtain Tax Identification (matricule fiscal) and activate e-services at Jibaya
  3. Open a bank account and deposit capital (as required by legal form)
  4. Investment declaration / incentives at Tunisia Investment Authority (and sector agencies where applicable)
  5. Register employer and employees at CNSS
  6. Municipal operating licence and any sectoral permits
  7. Customs/trade setup via Tunisie TradeNet (TTN) for import/export
RNE; TIA; Jibaya (DGI); CNSS; TTN

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax20% standard; 40% banks/insurance
  • VAT standard19% (reduced 13%/7% apply)
  • WHT on dividends10% typical
  • WHT on interest10% or 20% by case
PwC Tunisia Tax Summaries 2025

Talent

Median Age
~32.9 yrs 2025
UN WPP 2024
Adult Literacy
~85% 2022
World Bank UIS/WDI
Tertiary Enrolment
~38% 2023
World Bank EdStats
Languages
Arabic official; French widely used
Constitution; policy notes

Policy

  • EU Association & AgadirIndustrial free trade with EU (gradual); regional Agadir FTA
  • AfCFTA & COMESAAfCFTA ratified; COMESA membership
  • Investment facilitationTIA one-stop investment processes
  • Digital taxOnline filing & payments via Jibaya
  • Trade single windowTTN for customs and logistics procedures
EU; AfCFTA; COMESA; TIA; DGI/Jibaya; TTN

Risks

  • External & fiscal financingBudget and FX financing constraints
  • Energy & food importsExposure to global price swings
  • Water & climateDrought and water stress affecting output
  • Policy uncertaintyRegulatory changes may affect rates and liquidity
World Bank & IMF country notes

Resources

RNE company registry Tunisia Investment Authority Jibaya taxes e-services CNSS social security Tunisie TradeNet (TTN) WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile Bourse de Tunis (BVMT)

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Data Notes
Population from UN World Population Prospects 2024 (via UN/INS). GDP (current US$) and GDP per capita (current US$) for 2024 from World Bank WDI. Inflation for July 2025 from INS monthly CPI release. Policy rate from Central Bank of Tunisia decisions (held at 7.5% July 2025). Internet users and electrification from latest World Bank indicators (2023 and 2021 respectively). Trade partners and goods from WITS/UN Comtrade and OEC/TrendEconomy 2023. Business steps from RNE, TIA, Jibaya (DGI), CNSS and TTN guidance. Tax rates reflect Finance Law 2025 per PwC Tunisia.