Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$7,900 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

5% (2008 est.)

Population

10,486,339 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

A4

Ease of Doing Business

73/181

Global Competitiveness

4.58/134

Country Map

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gE Network

There are 7 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Tunisia : Introduction

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. BEN ALI is currently serving his fourth consecutive five-year term as president; the next elections are scheduled for October 2009. Tunisia has long taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.

Tunisia: Central Bank of Tunisia

The Central Bank's main focus is to preserve price stability through a number of different tasks. Monetary objectives and financial forecasts as well as periodic reports and bulletins can be found in the web site. Available in English and French.

Tunisia: Tunis Stock Exchange

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (March 2009)