Tunisia's economy grows 2.4% in first half of 2026

Tunisia's economy demonstrated resilience in the first half of 2026, achieving a growth rate of 2.4% compared to the previous year, according to preliminary estimates from the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The second quarter of 2026 registered a year-on-year growth of 2.3%. When adjusted for seasonal variations, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) saw a 1.4% increase from the first quarter. This performance was largely propelled by the agricultural sector and various services.

The agricultural sector showed a significant recovery, with its added value increasing by 5.5% year-on-year, contributing 0.51 percentage points to the overall economic growth. Services also played a crucial role, with their added value rising by 1.9%, adding 1.18 percentage points to the GDP. This growth in services was particularly boosted by hotels, restaurants, and cafes, which saw a 4.6% increase in added value, alongside gains in information and communication (3.5%) and transport (1.7%).

In contrast, the industrial sector remained largely stable, with a modest 0.3% overall growth. Manufacturing industries saw a 0.9% increase, supported by diverse industries (+3.7%), agri-food industries (+2.1%), and mechanical and electrical industries (+1.6%). However, the energy, mining, water, and waste management sectors continued to drag down growth, with a 1.7% decrease in added value, primarily due to a sharp 9.6% decline in mining activity and a 1.1% drop in oil and gas extraction.

Domestic demand, encompassing consumption and investment, was a positive driver, growing by 3.3% and contributing 3.61 percentage points to economic growth. Conversely, external trade exerted a negative influence, subtracting 1.33 percentage points from growth, despite a notable 10.4% increase in exports of goods and services.