Tunisia Ranks First Globally in Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness

Tunisia has earned the distinction of being the world leader in the effective management of protected marine areas, as highlighted by the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI). This international ranking, which assesses the environmental performance of 177 nations, also places Tunisia at 85th globally with an overall score of 41.05 points.

Within the broader Middle East and North Africa region, Tunisia holds the sixth position among Arab countries and ranks fifth across the African continent. Its overall score surpasses the regional average of 40.15 points. This notable achievement is particularly driven by the country's successes in managing its marine ecosystems. Tunisia's top global ranking in the indicator for protected marine zone management underscores its dedicated efforts toward preserving marine biodiversity and safeguarding natural habitats.

The EPI report also acknowledges progress in other environmental sectors. Tunisia secured 76th place globally in waste management and 66th position concerning exposure to lead and heavy metals. However, the index also points to several areas requiring further attention. Despite its leadership in marine protected areas, Tunisia still struggles with insufficient coverage of marine zones identified as critical for biological importance, ranking 79th worldwide in this specific metric.

Published biennially by Yale University in collaboration with Columbia University, the EPI serves as a key international benchmark for evaluating national environmental policies. It measures environmental health, ecosystem vitality, and actions taken to address climate change.