Tunisia

Population (2017): 11,532,127 (World Bank)
Population (2014): 11,007,326 (census data – national statistics)
Population (2004): 9,910,872 (census data – national statistics)

Largest cities (inhabitants – 2014 census):

• Tunis (city: 638,845, governorate: 1,056,247)
• Sfax (city: 272,801, governorate: 955,421)
• Sousse (city: 221,530, governorate: 674,971)
• At-Tadamun (city: 142,953, governorate: 576,088)
• Kairouan (city: 139,070, governorate: 570,559)

Annual population growth (2017): 1.1% (World Bank)
Annual population growth (2014): 1.2%
Annual population growth (2004): 0.8%

Data from national statistics, worldbank, cities’ annual population growth calculated based on data from worldbank

Tunisia – with one of the highest GDP per capita in Africa – has a diversified economy, with important agricultural (olives, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, sugar beets, dates, and almonds), mining (phosphate, iron ore, zinc, lead, and salt), petroleum (oil, natural gas), and manufacturing (clothing, footwear, car parts, electric machinery) sectors. Tourism is also an important economic activity.

97.7% of the population has access to proper water sources and 91.6% to proper sanitation (Worldbank, 2015). In 2014 Tunisia generated 2.7 million tons of municipal solid waste (per person 0.66 kg/day on average, 0.815 kg/day in urban areas and 0.15 kg/day in rural areas) (Worldbank, 2018). The amount of waste is growing by 2.5% annually. Waste collection coverage in urban areas reaches 80 % and in rural ones 0-10%. The final destination of collected waste is generally open-dumping (21%) and landfilling (70%) (GIZ, 2014 – Country report on Solid Waste Management in Tunisia).

Tunisia’s energy consumption in the road transport sector amounted to 31% of its final energy consumption (IEA Atlas of Energy) (2008: 22%; 2000: 24%), whereas energy consumption per capita according to worldbank data amounted to 943.61 kg of oil equivalent in 2014, against 905.8 kg in 2008 and 753.2 kg in 2000. Electricity consumption amounted to 1,460 kWh per capita in 2016, against 1,434.6 kWh in 2013 and 992.4 kWh in 2000 (IEA Atlas of Energy). The share of the residential sector in the final energy consumption during the past five years is relatively stable, ranging between 26-27%% (IEA Atlas of Energy). In line with the same database, the penetration of renewables in the overall electricity generation remains at low levels, ranging between 2-3% over the past 5 years.

According to IEA Atlas of Energy figures, CO₂ emissions in Tunisia were 2.21 metric tons per capita in 2016 against 2.02 metric tons per capita in 2008 and 1.82 metric tons in 2000. Tunisia’s CO₂ emissions stem from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of cement and include those produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels and gas flaring.

A very interesting report, underlining key facts for the agriculture sector in Tunisia, is available for download here.

Tunisia proposes reducing its greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors (energy; industrial processes; agriculture, forestry and other land use; waste) in order to lower its carbon intensity by 41 percent in 2030, relative to the base year 2010…Tunisia, which has already made significant strides towards mitigation in its baseline, is looking to reduce its carbon intensity unconditionally and through its own efforts by 13 percent compared to 2010, i.e. by around 1/3 of its INDC. To achieve the rest of its objective, i.e. an additional drop in carbon intensity of 28 percent in 2030 compared to 2010, Tunisia is relying on the support of the international community for funding, capacity building and technology transfer.” Tunisia’s INDC covers both a mitigation contribution and an adaptation contribution. More info on Tunisia’s NDCs.

Tunisia has pursued a proactive energy policy for 30 years and has one of the lowest GHG emissions in the MENA region. It has also made progress in the reforestation and preservation of forested ecosystems, resulting in its agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFLOU) recognised as a net CO₂ sink in its 2010 greenhouse gas inventory. Tunisia’s National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS), developed by the Ministry of Environment, was launched in October 2012, proposing an anticipatory approach to adaptation policy. So far, Tunisia’s adaptation actions have been focalised on the following sectors:

• Water resources
• Agriculture
• Coastline
• Ecosystems
• Health
• Tourism.

The main pillars of Tunisia’s national strategy have been the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2015), the 11th five-year Plan for Agricultural Policy (2014-2015), the Economic and Social Development Strategy (2012-2016), TUNISIA 2020 (2016), the Climate Clause under Article 45 in 2014 Constitution (2014).