Tunisia Economy 1997

Economy - overview Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining,energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Detailed governmental controlof economic affairs has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasingprivatization of trade and commerce, simplification of the tax structure,and a cautious approach to debt. Real growth has averaged 4.5% in 1991-96,and inflation has been moderate. Growth in tourism and increased trade havebeen key elements in this solid record. Agricultural production accountedfor a major portion of growth in GDP in 1996, growth having been adverselyaffected by drought in 1995. Further privatization, the attraction of increasedforeign investment, and improvements in government efficiency are among thechallenges for the future.

GDP purchasing power parity - $43.3 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - real growth rate 7.1% (1996 est.)

GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $4,800 (1996 est.)

GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 13.5%
industry: 33.8%
services: 52.7% (1996 est.)

Inflation rate - consumer price index 6% (1996 est.)

Labor force
total: 2.917 million (1993 est.)
by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)
note : shortage of skilled labor

Unemployment rate 16% (1995 est.)

Budget
revenues : $5.2 billion
expenditures: $7.2 billion, including capital expenditures to $1.4 billion (1996 est.)

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

Industrial production growth rate 3.5% (1995)

Electricity - capacity 1.7 million kW (1995 est.)

Electricity - production 6.5 billion kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - consumption per capita 678 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture - products olives, dates, oranges, almonds, grain, sugar beets, grapes; poultry,beef, dairy products

Exports
total value: $5.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities: hydrocarbons, textiles, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals
partners: EU 75%, North African countries 7%, India 2%, US 1%

Imports
total value: $7.7 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumergoods
partners: EU countries 70%, North African countries 6%, US 5%, Japan 2%, Switzerland1%

Debt - external $9.6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid
recipient: ODA, $221 million (1993)

Currency 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes

Exchange rates Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 1.0075 (January 1997), 0.9985 (December1996), 0.9733 (1996), 0.9458 (1995), 1.0116 (1994), 1.0037 (1993), 0.8844(1992)

Fiscal year calendar year

NOTE: The information regarding Tunisia on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Tunisia Economy 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Tunisia Economy 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.