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INTRODUCTION
The population of Tunisia numbers approximately10.216.000 million inhabitants. The demographic
growth rate is 1.08 % ( 2007 figures).
Arab, Berber, African, and European influences have helped shape the unique Tunisian cultural identity. The overwhelming
majority of the population is Muslim, and the official religion is Sunni Islam. Christian and Jewish communities
practice their faith freely and contribute to Tunisia's rich cultural diversity.
URBAN POPULATION
Tunisia's population is over 65% urban. The greater area, Tunis with a population more than 2.3 million, is one
of the principal cosmopolitan urban centers of the Mediterranean. Other cities in Tunisia include Carthage, Jerba,
Hammamet, Sfax, Nabeul, Kairouan, Sousse, Bizerte, Jendouba, Medenine, Monastir, Gabes, Gafsa, Tabarka, Zarzis,
Beja, Kasserine and Le Kef.
The official language is Arabic; French is widely used. English is spoken
among a growing number of Tunisians. Many also speak Italian.
FAMILY
The family remains the basic unit of Tunisian society . With the assistance of public and private institutions,
it continues to function as a vital support mechanism for the individual at all stages of life. Enjoying total
equality of rights with men, women have gained a good measure of autonomy and are able to pursue their own careers
on an equal footing with men.
MIDDLE CLASS
The structure of Tunisian society is characterized by the predominance of the middle class (around 75 to 80% of
the population). There has been a continuous rise in the standard of living of Tunisia's citizens thanks to sound
development policies and to the implementation, since 1987, of a series of measures and actions which have promoted
business initiative and economic opportunity, and ensured the access of all citizens to basic amenities.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Demographic Figures:
Population (2007):
10.216.000 (8,785,364
in 1994)
Urban population (2007) :
65% (33% in 1956)
Age group Ratios:
*15 to 59 years
old: 64% of the population (2004);
(56.9% in 1994)
* 4 years and under:
8.1% of the population (2004);
11% (1994).
Life expectancy (1984):
67.4 years
Demographic Growth rate (2004):
1.21% and 1,08% in 2005 ; 1.7%
(1994)
Average family size (2004):
4.01; (5.16 in 1994)
Population Growth Projection:
2009: 10.388 million
2019: 11.210
million
2029: 11.763
million
Source:
National Statistics Institute
Higher standards for Tunisians
Census figures show a clear improvement of the standard of living of the Tunisian population.
This upward trend is reflected in the higher ratios of access to drinking water and electricity in homes as well
as in the ownership of cars, television sets, radios, refrigerators, ovens and other basic commodities.
The 2004 census figures show that access to electricity is available in 97.3% of Tunisia homes, while access to
drinking water (taking in consideration all systems and providers) is available in 92.6 % of homes. This rate rpresents
a ten fold increase since Independance.
Beside the higher percentages of ownership of radio and television appliances, there was an increase in the availability
of satellite dishes in homes from 2.1 % (in 1994) to 18.3 % (in 1999). 84.7 % of homes owned television sets as
of 1999 moving to 90,2% in 2004.
Figures also reflect a slowdown of the demographic growth rate from 1.7% to 1.15 % (in just 5 years since 1994),
as well as the increase in the rate of urbanization. During the same period, the population of Tunisia increased
from 8.7 million (1994) to 9.9 million (2004).
2004 Census findings (compared to 1994 figures):
- The total number of the population:
- 10.029,000 million (2004)
- 8.785,7 million (1994).
- Demographic growth:
- Urban population:
- 64.9 % (2004)
- 61 % (1994)
- Average family size:
- 4.53 members (2004)
- 5.2 members (1994)
- Age group ratios:
- 15 to 59 years old : 56.9% of the population, (2004), 64 % (1994).
- 4 years and under: 9% of the population (1999), 11 % (1994).
- Total number of houses:
- 2.500,000 million (2004)
- 1.313,000 million (1984)
- Ratio of rudimentary houses:
- 0.8 % of total houses (2004)
- 2.7% of total houses 1994)
- Access to electricity in homes:
- 85.9% of homes (1994)
- 97.3 % of homes (2004)
- Access to drinking water in homes:
- 1987 : 40,3%
- 2006 : 92,6%
- Ownership of television sets:
- 90.2 % of homes (2004)
- 79 % of homes (1994)
- Ownership of radio sets:
- 76.8 % of homes (2004)
- 68.2 % of homes (1994)
- Ownership of refrigerators:
- 81.7 % of homes (2004)
- 55.4 % of homes (1994)
- Telephone connections in homes:
- 35.68 % in 2004
- 15.2 % of homes (1994)
- Mobile phone : 51% of Tunisians own a mobile phone in 2006.
- Family ownership of automobiles:
- 17.2 % of families (1999)
- 15.7 % of families (1994)
- Availability of satellite dishes:
- Dishes in 18.3 % of homes (1999)
- 2004 ( general population census).
Source:Tunisian
Ministry of Development and international Cooperation .
For further information, visit these sites:
National Statistics Institute (INS)
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