| What is the politic and economic context of Tunisia? |
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According to the Constitution, Tunisia is a presidential republic, with a Parliament holding legislative power, while the executive power is held by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has been in power since 1987. On the occasion of the presidential and legislative elections, which took place in October 2004, President Ben Ali was re-elected with 94.4% of votes, while the ruling party, Rassemblement Constitutionnel Démocratique (RCD), got 87.5% of votes. Thanks to its internal political stability, Tunisia has achieved considerable progress on the socio-economic front. Life expectancy is 73 years, the general literacy rate is 74% but it is around 94% for the young people (15-24 years), school enrolment at primary level is over 99% and the ratio boys-girls in the primary a secondary school is around 50-50 with a slight advantage for the girls. This has led to the consolidation of a wide and well educated middle class. Thanks to the economic reform programme undertaken since 1986 with the support of the European Commission, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, good results have been achieved in terms of GDP growth (5% per year on average from 1995 to 2004), inflation (3,8% in 2004), and the current account deficit (2.0% in 2004). The main challenges facing the Tunisian economy are job creation, pursuing the privatisation programme, restructuring the financial services sector, strengthening the private sector, attracting foreign investment, and liberalising and modernising the services sector. Population growth, at an annual average of 1.03% (2003), is stable. GNI per capita amounted to US$ 2,630 in 2004, which places Tunisia well above the regional average. for more information visit: www.ec.europa.eu The EU-Tunisia Association Agreement Tunisia was the first Mediterranean country to sign an Association Agreement with the EU on 17 July 1995. The Euro-Med Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, on the one part, and the Tunisian Republic, on the other, came into force on March 1, 1998. for more information Tunisia’s population - 10 million inhabitants - is very young: almost 28% are less than 15 years old. It is a mainly urban population, located in the large cities along the coast: Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, Bizerte, Gabès and Nabeul. Demographic has been brought down to 1.1% at the end of the 1990s compared with 3% in the early 60’s, thanks to a bold policy of birth control. Women take an important place in the socio-economic and political life of the country where they represent 11.5% of members of parliament, 33% of physicians, 40% of civil servants, 46% of labour in industry, 66% of pharmacists, 55% of students. for more information visit: www.ec.europa.eu |
