North Africa's smallest country, Tunisia lies sandwiched between Libya and Algeria. The populous north is mountainous, fertile in places and has a long Mediterranean coastline. The south is largely desert. Habib Bourguiba ruled the country from independence in 1956 until a bloodless coup in 1987. Under President Ben Ali, the government has slowly moved toward multiparty democracy, but faces a challenge from Islamic fundamentalists. Closer ties with the EU, Tunisia's main trading partner, were strengthened through the first Euro-Mediterranean conference held in 1995. Manufacturing and tourism are expanding.

The population is almost entirely Muslim, of Arab and Berber descent, although there are Jewish and Christian minorities. Many Tunisians still live in extended family groups, in which three or four generations are represented.

Tunisia has traditionally been one of the most liberal Arab states. The 1956 Personal Statutes Code of President Bourguiba gave women fuller rights than in any other Arab country. Further legislation has since given women the right to custody of children in divorce cases, made family violence against women punishable by law, and helped divorced women to get alimony. Family planning and contraception have been freely available since the early 1960s. Tunisia's population growth rate has halved since the 1980s. Women make up 31% of the total workforce and 35% of the industrial workforce. Company ownership by women is steadily increasing; politics, however, remains an exclusively male preserve.

These freedoms are threatened by the growth in recent years of Islamic fundamentalism, which also worries the mainly French-speaking political and business elite who wish to strengthen links with Europe.

The Ben Ali regime has been criticized for its actions against Islamic activists. However, Tunisia became the first recipient, in May 2002, of the "Mediterranean Award," given by European human rights leagues in recognition of progress in democratic development.

Strengths

Well-diversified economy, despite limited resources. Tourism. Oil and gas exports, also agricultural exports: olive oil, olives, citrus fruit, dates. Expanding manufacturing sector, average annual increase was 5.4% in 1990–1998; important sectors are textiles, construction materials, machinery, chemicals. European investment. Ranked as most competitive economy in Africa in World Economic Forum's 2000–2001 report.

Weaknesses

Dependence on growth of drought-prone agricultural sector. Growing domestic energy demand on oil and gas resources.

Profile

Since it began a process of structural adjustment in 1988, supported by the IMF and the World Bank, Tunisia has become an increasingly open, market-oriented economy. Real GDP growth has averaged 5% since 1987, rising to 6% in 2001. Annual inflation remained stable, at just below 3% in 2000, despite higher food and energy prices. Prices have been freed, most state companies privatized, and import barriers reduced.

The balance of payments relies on fluctuating tourism receipts to offset a trade deficit. The government must also balance growth with better social provisions. The member states of the EU are Tunisia's main trading partners, accounting for well over 70% of its imports and nearly 80% of its exports; trade has increased significantly since 1999.

Formally a multiparty democracy since 1988, Tunisia is still dominated by the RCD and President Ben Ali.

Profile

President Ben Ali has made some effort to liberalize the political system. The life presidency has been abolished, and political parties and press freedom are encouraged. While allowing for a degree of political plurality, a complex proportional representation system ensured that there was an overwhelming victory for the RCD in the 1994 general election. Since then there has been evidence of a renewed crackdown against the left-wing opposition. Measures to further democratization and promote human rights were overshadowed in 2002 when a referendum on constitutional change gave Ben Ali a mandate to stand for a further two terms.

Main Political Issues

Fundamentalism

The RCD has clamped down on Islamic fundamentalists, particularly the outlawed Al-Nahda, or Renewal Party. In 1991, 500 Al-Nahda members were arrested following a failed coup, thought to be inspired by fundamentalists. Its leader, Rachid Ghannouchi, is in exile.

Human rights

The RCD has been under increasing attack over its human rights record. The Tunisia League of Human Rights' activities was suspended in January 2001. The RCD is committed to promoting women's rights.

Tunisia is a leading producer of phosphates for fertilizers, mainly from mines near Gafsa. Oil and gas are important exports, but growing domestic energy demands mean that Tunisia is now a net energy importer. Power plants are mainly gas- and oil-fired, with some hydropower.

Well-developed family planning facilities have almost halved Tunisia's birthrate over the past 30 years. The population growth rate has dropped from 3.2% to 1.9% – the lowest in the region. The mortality rate has been halved, to 5.7 per 1000 population a year, reflecting the extension of free medical services to over 70% of the population. While services lack sophistication, an umbrella of primary care facilities covers all but the most isolated rural communities. Regional committees care for the old, needy, and orphaned.

Education is compulsory for nine years between the ages of six and 16, with secondary education beginning at the age of 12. Arabic is the first language in schools, but French is also taught, and is used almost exclusively in higher education. There are seven universities; student enrollment has doubled since 1995.

Today 6% of Tunisians are estimated to live in absolute poverty. In 1970, the figure was 30%. The poorest in the community tend to live in the urban shanty towns, or bidonvilles. The Western-oriented elite has links with government or business. Social security covers sickness, old age and maternity, but not unemployment. The government is concerned that the lack of jobs is encouraging the spread of Islamic fundamentalism; economic growth is its medium-term solution to the problem. Special projects are being set up in the most deprived urban areas to offset the worst effects of poverty.

Tunisia has been home to the Zenata Berbers since earliest times and its history is linked to the rise and fall of the Mediterranean-centered empires. Carthage (near present-day Tunis), founded in the 9th century B.C.E., became the hub of a 1000-year Phoenician trading empire which linked European and African trading networks. Tunisia was then ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Egyptians, Ottomans, and, finally, the French.

• 1883 La Marsa Treaty makes Tunisia a French protectorate, ending its semi-independence. Bey of Tunis remains monarch.
• 1900 Influx of French and Italians.
• 1920 Destour (Constitution) Party formed; calls for self-government.
• 1935 Habib Bourguiba forms Neo-Destour (New Constitution) Party.
• 1943 Defeat of Axis powers by British troops restores French rule.
• 1955 Internal autonomy. Bourguiba returns from exile.
• 1956 Independence. Bourguiba elected prime minister. Personal Statutes Code gives rights to women. Family planning introduced.
• 1957 Bey is deposed. Tunisia becomes republic with Bourguiba as first president.
• 1964 Neo-Destour made sole legal party; renamed Destour Socialist Party (PSD). Moderate socialist economic program is introduced.
• 1969 Agricultural collectivization program, begun 1964, abandoned.
• 1974 Bourguiba elected president- for-life by National Assembly.
• 1974–1976 Hundreds imprisoned for belonging to "illegal organizations."
• 1978 Trade union movement, UGTT, holds 24-hour general strike; more than 50 killed in clashes. UGTT leadership replaced with PSD loyalists.
• 1980 New prime minister Muhammed Mazli ushers in greater political tolerance.
• 1981 Elections. Opposition groups allege electoral malpractice.
• 1984 Widespread riots after food price increases.
• 1986 Gen. Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali becomes interior minister. Four Muslim fundamentalists sentenced to death.
• 1987 Fundamentalist leader Rachid Ghannouchi arrested. Ben Ali becomes prime minister; takes over presidency after doctors certify Bourguiba senile. PSD renamed RCD.
• 1988 Most political prisoners released. Constitutional reforms introduce multiparty system and abolish life presidency. Two opposition parties legalized.
• 1989 Elections: RCD wins all seats, Ben Ali president. Fundamentalists take 13% of vote.
• 1990 Tunisia backs Iraq in Gulf War. Clampdown on fundamentalists intensifies.
• 1991 Abortive coup blamed on Al-Nahda; over 500 arrests.
• 1993 Multiparty agreement on electoral reform.
• 1994 Presidential and legislative elections. Ben Ali, sole candidate, is reelected.
• 1996 Opposition MDS leader Mohammed Moada imprisoned.
• 1999 Ben Ali and RCD again dominate elections.
• 2002 Referendum allows Ben Ali to stand for office after 2004. Suicide bomb attack in Djerba kills 14 German tourists.