Tunisia offers a diversified, export-oriented economy with strong links to Europe, but growth has been modest. Real GDP is expected to expand by around 1–2% in 2024–2025, while inflation has eased to roughly 6% after peaking in previous years.
The fiscal deficit has narrowed but remains sizeable at around 6–7% of GDP, and public debt is high at about 80% of GDP. At the same time, industry and services provide a solid base: manufacturing represents about 15% of GDP, and Tunisia is a key supplier of textiles, automotive components and electrical equipment to European value chains. The country is also a major producer and leading exporter of organic olive oil, with extensive organic olive groves.
The digital economy is gaining importance, contributing a significant share of GDP and supported by an educated workforce of roughly 60,000 graduates per year, around 15% of whom specialise in ICT. This underpins growth in ICT, business services and innovation. For Swiss companies, opportunities exist in digital solutions, automotive and electrical components, advanced manufacturing, ICT services and high-value agri-food. However, high unemployment - particularly among women and university graduates - together with a complex regulatory and foreign-exchange environment, calls for careful structuring of market entry and close collaboration with local partners.
No
Free Trade Agreement
There is a free trade agreement between Switzerland and this country. Source: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
0.6 0.6 billion
Total trade flows
Total goods traded with Switzerland (imports + exports). Source: UN Comtrade. Data as of 2023.
7.78 7.78 %
3-year GDP growth
Total real GDP growth over the last three years. Source: World Bank. Data as of 2023.
Navigating Tunisia's talent pool can be tricky, but with 65,000 graduates yearly, including 16% in ICT, we help you tap into this educated workforce to fuel your growth.
Mehmet Yildirimli
Senior Consultant Africa, Türkiye + IsraelLatest insights
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FAQs
What is the current economic situation?
Tunisia is experiencing low but positive growth, with real GDP expected to rise by around 1–2% in 2024–2025. Inflation has declined to roughly 6%, helping stabilise purchasing power compared to previous years. Fiscal consolidation has reduced the deficit somewhat, but it still stands near 6–7% of GDP and public debt remains elevated. Unemployment is high, at about 15–16%, with youth unemployment significantly above that level. For Swiss exporters, easing inflation and a diversified industrial base are positives, but overall demand growth remains moderate.
What are the main export and import trends?
Tunisia is an important industrial supplier to Europe. It has become the EU’s leading supplier of professional work clothing, with a market share of around 17%, and is also a significant exporter of jeans, automotive components, electrical equipment, dates and olive oil. Manufactured products account for the bulk of merchandise exports. Imports are dominated by energy, machinery, equipment and food products. These patterns create opportunities for Swiss firms to integrate into established supply chains, particularly in textiles, automotive components, machinery and specialised inputs.
What opportunities exist for Swiss companies?
Swiss companies can leverage opportunities in Tunisia’s digital and industrial sectors. The digital economy contributes a notable share of GDP, with over 2,000 companies and tens of thousands of skilled employees, offering potential in software, IT services, fintech, cybersecurity and business-process outsourcing. Industrial opportunities lie in automotive and electrical components, advanced manufacturing, process optimisation and high-value agri-food, including organic olive oil and other certified products. Swiss know-how in quality, precision and innovation is well aligned with Tunisia’s export-oriented strategy.
Which sectors are most promising?
Promising sectors for Swiss exporters include ICT and digital services, automotive and electrical components, textiles and technical workwear, as well as agri-food and organic products. Tunisia’s strong textile and apparel position in the EU, its growing role in automotive sub-assemblies and its reputation in olive oil and dates all offer channels for collaboration, technology transfer and supply-chain integration.
What are the main challenges and risks?
Key challenges include high unemployment, administrative complexity, a relatively restrictive foreign-exchange regime and ongoing fiscal and financial pressures. These factors can affect payment terms, profit repatriation and the speed of regulatory approvals. To succeed, Swiss exporters should plan for careful compliance, work with experienced local partners, and design resilient financing and currency strategies.
