Economy Tunisia
Economy - overview:
Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining,
energy, 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 slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9%
in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism.
Better rains in 2003 through 2005, however, helped push GDP growth
to about 5% for these years. Tourism also recovered after the end of
combat operations in Iraq. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to
trade with the EU. Broader privatization, further liberalization of
the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in
government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among
the challenges ahead.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$82.85 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$30.94 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,200 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.2% industry: 31.8% services: 55% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 3.41 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55% industry: 23% services: 22% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.2% (2005 est.)