Stalling without falling (for now)
D4
HIGH RISK for enterprise
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Economic risk
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Business environment risk
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Political risk
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Commercial risk
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Financing risk
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Economic risk
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Business environment risk
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Political risk
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Commercial risk
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Financing risk
Last updated in January 2024.
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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 sectorsA 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)
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
|
Libya
4.1%
|
5 |
5.5%
Türkiye
|
Trade structure by product
(% of total, 2022)
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
|
Contacts
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