Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri stated on Monday that the Tunisian economy demonstrated resilience against both external and internal pressures, maintaining a steady path of recovery throughout 2026. Speaking during a joint plenary session of the Assembly of People's Representatives and the National Council of Regions and Districts, the Prime Minister presented the government's draft economic and state budgets. She noted that the nation achieved these results despite regional geopolitical tensions and a global environment characterized by slowing growth and rising uncertainty.
According to AllAfrica, the implementation of the 2026 budget was complicated by volatility in energy and commodity markets, which drove up fuel prices and strained supply chains. Internal factors also contributed to economic pressure, including unprecedented heatwaves last summer that doubled the strain on the electricity grid. The Prime Minister attributed the economy's stability to strong performance in the agricultural and services sectors, specifically citing improved grain production and a recovery in tourism.
Key economic indicators reported by the Prime Minister show that gross domestic product grew by 2.4 percent during the first half of 2026. The unemployment rate decreased to 14.9 percent in the second quarter, down from 15 percent in the first quarter. Cumulative inflation reached 5.3 percent by the end of September 2026, a slight improvement from 5.5 percent during the same period in 2025. Exports at current prices rose by 8 percent through August, driven by increased energy and agricultural product shipments.
The government projects that the full-year growth rate for 2026 will reach 2.7 percent, confirming the continuation of the gradual recovery. The investment rate is expected to rise to 15.5 percent of GDP, compared to 15.4 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, the current account deficit is anticipated to widen to 3.9 percent of GDP, reflecting persistent pressures from rising energy imports. Foreign exchange reserves stood at the equivalent of 93 days of imports as of October 23, 2026, while the Tunisian dinar remained broadly stable through September.