Economic Activities in Tunisia: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Tunisia, with a population of 12,348,573, is ranked 79th in the world, just behind Bolivia. Located in North Africa, it covers a total area of 163,610 square kilometers, ranking 88th globally, just below Suriname.

As of 2025, Tunisia’s GDP stood at approximately $57.5 billion. Its GDP per capita was about $4,657 (2025). World Bank data tracks these figures, which reflect a lower-middle-income economy.

Despite facing challenges, Tunisia continues to strive for economic growth and stability, focusing on sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing to boost its economy and improve the standard of living for its citizens.

Tunisia Economic Structure & Sector Analysis

• Primary activities: 10.3% of GDP.
• Secondary activities: 22.0% of GDP.
• Tertiary activities: 62.7% of GDP.

Tunisia economy by sector

Share of GDP, 2025, compared with the world average

Primary Sector of Tunisia

With 62.44% of the country’s land dedicated to agriculture, Tunisia produces a diverse range of crops and animal products. The main agricultural products include milk, olives, tomatoes, wheat, barley, watermelons, chilies/peppers, potatoes, dates, and oranges.

Despite agriculture contributing 10.3% to the GDP, its significance lies in the variety and importance of these products to the sector. The country’s agricultural sector benefits from a wide array of crops and animal products.

With a diverse geological landscape, Tunisia boasts abundant natural resources such as petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, and salt. These resources drive sectors like mining, energy, and manufacturing, which contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.Tunisia’s oil production of around 35,247 barrels per day places it at the 40th position in the world ranking. With oil reserves of 425 million barrels, the country holds 0.03% of the world’s oil reserves, further solidifying its economic activity in the oil sector.Tunisia’s gas production of 1.575 billion m³ in 2020 ranks it 61st globally, boosting economic activity.

Secondary Sector of Tunisia

In Tunisia, the main industrial products include petroleum, phosphate, iron ore, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, and beverages. These products are manufactured for domestic consumption and exportation, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.Manufactures accounted for 78.1% of Tunisia’s total exports in 2023. This highlights their significant contribution to the country’s economy and trade balance.

Tertiary sector of Tunisia

The tertiary sector in Tunisia encompasses a wide range of services that focus on providing knowledge and expertise to enhance productivity and meet various needs. This includes activities such as restaurants, healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, communication and information exchange, media production and distribution, tourism and hospitality, and transportation and logistics. These services help drive the economy and improve the overall quality of life for the people in Tunisia.Tourism contributes significantly to Tunisia’s GDP and employment. With an impressive 9,429,000 annual arrivals, accounting for 0.7631 tourist arrivals per capita, popular destinations like the ancient city of Carthage and the Sahara Desert attract visitors worldwide, boosting the country’s economic growth and development.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 16 million subscriptions, equating to 129 per 100 inhabitants. This connectivity supports technological growth, digital services and innovation.

Quaternary sector of Tunisia

Tunisia has a large research workforce for a middle-income country: about 1,670 researchers per million people (2024), close to the world level of about 1,650. Spending on research and development is lower, at about 0.75% of GDP (2019), so its quaternary sector has more trained people than money to employ them in research.

• Researchers: about 1,670 per million people (2024)
• Research and development spending: about 0.75% of GDP (2019)
• Students in higher education: equal to about 38% of the university-age population (2023)
• High-technology products: about 8% of manufactured exports (2023)
• Internet users: about 77% of the population (2024)

That mismatch creates a classic brain drain. Tunisia trains many engineers, doctors and IT specialists, but higher wages in Europe draw a large number of them abroad. In economic terms, the country pays for their education while other economies collect much of the return. Part of the loss comes back through money sent home and through emigrants who later return with new skills and business contacts, a pattern economists call brain circulation.

Tunisia has tried to keep more of this knowledge at home. Its 2018 Startup Act gives young technology companies tax breaks and lets employees take leave from their jobs to start a company, lowering the personal risk of trying. Software development and IT services sold to European clients, often in French, are another bridge between the country’s skilled workforce and higher-value work.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Tunisia

In the primary sector, resources are extracted for military needs, like metals for weapons. The secondary sector involves manufacturing military equipment, such as vehicles and weapons. The tertiary sector includes services provided by the military, while the quaternary sector focuses on research and development for advanced technologies. Finally, the quinary sector deals with high-level military decision-making and strategy.

In Tunisia, the military expenditure for 2023 is $1,208.2 million, which is 2.47% of the country’s GDP. The active military force consists of 35,800 personnel, resulting in about 4.2 active military members for every 1,000 people in the population.

Biggest company in Tunisia

Which is the biggest company in Tunisia? By revenue, the largest is Poulina Group Holding, a diversified industrial and agri-food conglomerate listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange. As of 2024, it reported a turnover of about 3.91 billion Tunisian dinars (roughly $1.25 billion). Founded in 1967, the group spans poultry, food processing, steel, ceramics, and other manufacturing, making it a cornerstone of Tunisia’s secondary sector. Tunis Stock Exchange (BVMT).

International Trade of Tunisia

Import Activities of Tunisia

Tunisia’s imports are high, at 61.38% of GDP, and help meet domestic demand and drive economic growth.Tunisia’s import activities are diverse, with top partners being Italy and France. Key imports include refined petroleum, natural gas, plastic products, wheat, and cars from countries like China, Germany, and Turkey.

Exports Activities of Tunisia

In 2023, Tunisia’s total exports reached $22.86 billion, accounting for 49.36% of its GDP. Exports are a major part of the country’s economy and help build international trade relationships.Tunisia’s export activities are diverse, with key partners including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Libya. Major export commodities include garments, insulated wire, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, and pure olive oil.

Tunisia economy challenges in 2024

Tunisia, a lower middle-income North African economy, faces challenges in 2024. High unemployment, especially among youth and women, persists. The country is grappling with the impact of COVID-19, high public sector wages, and debt. Tunisia needs to draft reforms for foreign lenders and implement protectionist austerity measures. Despite being a key EU trade partner, Tunisia struggles to stabilize its economy.

Sources

• World Bank: Tunisia
• IMF: Tunisia
• UN Comtrade Plus: Trade Flow
• Tunis Stock Exchange (BVMT)

Last updated: October 2026