Quarterly GDP growth rate in Tunisia 2019-2022

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Tunisia increased by 1.6 percent compared to the same quarter of 2021. Moreover, it rose by 0.5 percent compared to the previous quarter. The second quarter of 2020 witnessed a sharp contraction in the GDP, which followed the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Economic recovery after the 2020 recession

In 2020, the Tunisian GDP growth rate assumed a negative value for the first time since 2012. Previously, negative growth had been recorded in 2011 concurrently with the Jasmine Revolution. However, the economy gradually recovered after 2020, with the GDP expanding by 3.3 percent in 2021, 2.2 percent in 2022, and 1.6 percent in 2023. After declining in 2020, the GDP per capita was also set to grow again to reach around 4,416 U.S. dollars by 2027. Overall, Tunisia is a small economy and ranks among the countries with the lowest GDP per capita in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Compared to other countries in the region, its territory is not particularly rich in oil and gas. Its industries mainly operate in textiles, mining and phosphates, and agri-food.

Main sectors to drive economic growth

The economy of Tunisia is largely based on the tertiary sector, with services contributing around 60 percent to the GDP. Within this sector, the tourism industry is particularly profitable. Tourists are especially attracted by the country’s seaside resorts, as well as the suggestive landscapes of the Sahara Desert. However, the global tourism industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis and Tunisia registered a significant fall in the annual number of tourists in 2020. Agriculture represents another significant driver of economic growth, accounting for around 10 percent of the country’s GDP and employing roughly 14 percent of the working population. Cereals lead the domestic agricultural production, while olive oil, dates, and fish represent the main exports.