The Tunisians have a distinct dialect of Arabic, with different accents spoken in various parts of the country. The Arabs invaded Tunisia in the seventh century and imprinted their culture and language on the region’s inhabitants. The people are now a mixture of Arab, Roman, Greek, Sicilian, French and Berber forefathers. Most of the Tunisians identify themselves with the city, town or region of origin of their family within Tunisia.

Tunisia is a modern and progressive country in Northern Africa. Around a quarter of the population work in agriculture, and around 60% live in towns or cities. There are differences in lifestyle between the rural and urban settings, where the living conditions vary. The southern half of the country is desert, and faces the rigours of a hot, desert climate for a large part of the year.

Rural people are looking to produce much from their land, with crops of wheat, vegetables, olives, almonds, and cattle, dairy, sheep and goats.

Throughout the country primary school attendance is almost 100% for boys and girls. School is compulsory until 16 years of age, and increasing numbers are going on to tertiary education. Unemployment is fairly high, estimated to be around 20%. Tourism is a major industry and income earner in their country.

Strong family links are a hallmark in their society. Most families are looking to improve their lot in a world that is seeking material advance. As Muslims their practice of Islam is relatively nominal. Allegiance to Islam is strong, but militant expressions of Islam have been strongly suppressed by the government.

After 100 years of efforts to reach the Tunisians there has been little response. Believers are relatively unpersecuted but often face family and social pressure as a result of their faith. A few small fellowships do exist and there are now over 100 known believers.

General InformationStatisticsPrayGet Involved

Population
Total People: 9.4 million (estimate)
Urban Percent: 57.6% (1996)
In this Country: 9.326 million (1997)
Other countries: 660,272 (1999/Reuters) France, Libya, Algeria, Germany (62% believed to live in France)

General Description
The Berbers were the country’s original inhabitants and were gradually integrated with successive groups of invaders and merchants who came to live in their land. The most significant were the Arabs who invaded in the seventh century. They imprinted their culture and language on the region’s inhabitants. The French who controlled Tunisia from the 1870s until 1956 have also left a considerable cultural influence.

Language/Literacy Information
Adult literacy: 67% (1996)
Primary language: Tunisian Arabic (Darja) % speakers: 100%
Official language: Classical Arabic (FusHa) is spoken by many
Second language: French % speakers: 25%+
Third language: Berber (±5,000 people only)

Economics
Division of income: 40% of poorest have 16% income (similar to ‘western’ countries) 20% richest have 46% of the income.
Occupations: 25.7% agriculture (25,000 engaged in fishing), 17.5% industry, 59.1% services (especially in tourism). Women constitute over 22% of the labour force.
Income sources: The main exports are textiles, electrical products, phosphates, petroleum products, olive oil, citrus fruits and dates. Tourism is an important source of income, with an estimated 5 million tourists per year (1999/Reuters report) 15% of foreign currency income is derived from Tourism. Textiles is the largest industry: 4 times larger than any other sectors, and 6 times greater than all agricultural exports. Also twice the size of the income from tourism. (Tunisia Basic Data, 1999)
Products: Mining (Phosphates), orange blossom, olives, processing of food products, textiles, cellulose, paper, chemicals, cars, steel, ceramics, glass, electrical goods.
Handcrafts: Rugs, ceramics, leather, brass, jewelry etc.
Trade Partners: Tunisia became an associate member of the EU in 1969, and was the first country to sign an agreement with the EU (in 1997) that will see all trade barriers lifted by 2007. Over 80% of its trade is with Europe.
Unemployment: Estimate 15.2% (1998/Reuters) The real level of under and unemployment may be as high as 50% in some regions.
Farming/Agriculture: Tunisia is fairly self-sufficient in food production. Some farming areas have tractors and modern equipment available for ploughing and harvesting the fields. Other less well off areas are using more traditional farming practices. Animal grazing is nomadic. Herds of sheep and goats are accompanied by shepherds (male or female).
Modernisation/Utilities: According to the UN, Tunisia is a lower-middle-income country, which has had a heavy dependence on foreign aid. Development planning is aiming at creating thousands of new jobs, to be made possible through foreign investments. During the last few years Tunisia has been able to improve it’s economy extensively.
GNP per capita: Average income 2,500 Dinars per capita. Minimum wages: Non-agricultural sector 150 Dinars per 40 hour week, or 180 Dinars per 48 hour week; Agricultural 5 Dinars a day. (Exchange USD1 = 1.280 Dinars approximately).
Although there is some extreme poverty, it is not common, and Tunisia is one of the better endowed economies in Africa.
Other: There is a very limited social security programme. UN statistics show a drop in the number of poor, from 22 % of the population in 1975 to 6% in 1995.

Living Conditions/Community Development Status
Basic diet: Couscous (semolina cooked over steam with vegetable sauce served with meat), pasta, rice, fish, tajine (omlette with meat and vegetables) and brik (egg in pastry).
Food: In good years the country is self-sufficient in food production, and in poor years (little rain) it imports up to 40% of it’s food products.
Urbanisation: Estimated at 61%, with 20% estimated to be living in the capital, Tunis. An estimated 43% of the population of Tunis live in neighbourhoods with poor facilities.
Clothing: There is a variety of dress rules for both men and women. A vast majority wear the latest European fashions, while others wear the national dress - Older women and more traditional married women sometimes wear a long white or cream shawl that covers the head and the body (sifsari), usually white, it is worn on top of other clothing which is worn around the house. Middle-aged men occasionally wear a red cap called a fez (tarbush) or among the less educated are the flatter red felt hats (chechias) and in the country some wear a woollen cloak called a burnus. In the country-side, many of the women dress distinctly and differently to city or town dwellers. Many women wear dresses or skirts with bright colours. Bright red coloured clothing features widely in the rural areas. Colourful headscarves, and berber style traditional brooches are also worn.
Health care: Life expectancy 73 female, 69.3 male; 90% have access to primary health care.
Infant mortality: 28/1000 <1 year, 35/1000 <5 years. There are over 98 hospitals and one doctor per 1,834 inhabitants.
Water supplies: Urban areas have 100% access to safe water, in rural areas water supply is improving, from 30-70% and expected to reach 80% by the end of 2001. Agriculture depends greatly on rainfall, in the south there is much less rainfall and more vulnerability.
Transportation: There is a well developed public transportation system, with buses, trains, long-distance taxis and airfields. Major roads are well maintained.

Society
Family structures: Legal equality between men and women is promoted by the government, though the outworking of this is not always evident. Equal rights in areas of divorce and child custody are, for example, guaranteed by legislation. But despite this, traditional practices in many cases keep women, especially in the rural areas, from full attainment of their legal rights. Family life is valued in society. Family planning is officially encouraged. Abortion is legalised. It is becoming more common for young people to choose their spouse. Some families will not marry others from unknown families outside their town or area.
Social habits: The French occupation and probably the many tourists, have left their marks on the culture. There is quite some freedom and openness in relationships among the opposite sexes in urban settings and at the student level. In the smaller towns there is a stronger segregation of men and women. Men meet one another in small coffee shops or restaurants. Women socialise mainly in their homes with relatives and friends.
Cultural Change: ( ) Static ( ) Slow ( ) Medium (X) Rapid
Self Image: ( ) Threatened (X) Depressed (X) Prestigious/Proud
Celebrations: General Muslim holidays, weddings (varied traditions depending on the region). There are film festivals and folk art festivals held in various regions throughout the year.
Recreation: Traditional music is still popular and troops of travelling dancers perform in different places. Folk music and arts festivals are held in several places each year. Carthage hosts an International Film Festival, held every two years in October. For recreation, people spend time together with friends or family. There are at least 25 museums and 100 cinemas in the country and a Zoo in Tunis. Some wealthier families enjoy spending holidays at beach areas. Watching television (especially satellite TV) is a common activity. Socialising, cinema, playing and watching football are also common forms of recreation. Football is a popular sport both watched and played.
Art Forms: Music (Malouf, an Andalucian form played around Tunis). Dance. Carpets and Rugs, pottery, copper work, wood carving, stone carving, leather work, jewellery.
Media (Radio/TV/Newspapers/Films/Videos/Recordings): Six daily and 13 non-daily newspapers are published in French and Arabic; 230 magazines. Less than 10% of Tunisians read books and magazines.
Press: Daily newspapers have a circulation of about 35 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Radio: Local radio stations broadcast in both French and Arabic.
Television: Two Arabic television channels broadcast in Tunisia. Satellite channel receivers are widespread throughout the country.
Rule/Authority/Selection: The Republic of Tunisia was declared in 1957. According to the 1959 constitution executive power is held by the President (Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali), elected every five years, who appoints the prime-minister and the Council of Ministers. The unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, is elected for a five-year term by universal adult suffrage.
Relations: Stable relations exist between Tunisia and it’s neighbours.
Judicial system/Trial punishment: Independent judicial system. Judges of the high court are presidentially appointed. Crime is not a serious social problem, compared to most countries, due to the social stigma associated with convictions as well as stiff punishments for offenders. Youth offenders form one of the largest groups of criminals.
Crisis/Conflicts - History/Status: In 1881 France established a protectorate in Tunisia, only to see a rise of nationalism which led to Tunisia’s independence in 1956, when Habib Bourguiba became the first president. During the early years of independence, a series of tensions existed between France and Tunisia, which were resolved after France withdrew from its naval base in Bizerte in 1962. Nationalisation of foreign interests caused the relations with France to deteriorate again in 1964, until 1968, when close cooperation was reestablished.
Foreign Relations: Maghrebian and Arab solidarity is a central consideration in Tunisian foreign policy. Tunisia has promoted a five member Arab-Maghreb Union, since its formation in 1989. Although fundamentally non-aligned, Tunisia is western-oriented, has placed particular emphasis on good relationships with the USA and seeks access to the EU.
Political situation: The same political party has ruled Tunisia, under different names, since independence from France in 1956. The current President, Zine El Abdine Ben Ali, came to power initially through a coup in 1987, after Habib Bourguiba, President-for-Life, was said to be senile.

Children/Youth
Population under 15 years: 34.8% (1998)
Education/Type of Schooling: Primary school 98% boys, 95% girls (1993-1997). Secondary school enrolment 58% boys, 53% girls (1990-95) Schooling is free, the first 9 years are meant to be compulsory education. The language of instruction for the first two years of primary school is Arabic. Thereafter French and Arabic are used. There are several universities, in Tunis, Sousse, Gabes, Kairouan and Sfax. Universities had around 162,000 students enrolled for the year 99/2000. Several thousand Tunisian students study abroad.
Labour/Tasks: Child labour is prohibited prior to 16 years of age. Girls often help in their homes with domestic duties.
Problems: The influence of Western cultures has caused quite a change of moral standards, especially the relationships between young people of opposite sexes. Changing values will cause friction between young people and their parents.
Greatest needs: Improvement of facilities for children with special needs and disabilities.
Other: Internet/world wide web is increasingly common in faculties and schools.

Religion
Islam is adhered to by 99% of the population. A lesser percentage are practising Muslims. 0.01% Jewish.
Religious practices/ceremonies: General Islamic holy days and celebrations. Influence of folk Islam.
Redemptive Analogies/Bridges: Analogies found in Islam: e.g. using Eid- El Kbir, to talk about the sacrifice of Jesus.
Spiritual Climate/Openess: Not many people have been exposed to the Gospel. The few Christians there are, have been very discouraged and several have moved to other countries, not being able to persist against the pressure from authorities, relatives, and even employers. In general people are open to discuss spiritual issues, but usually don’t as there is quite some spiritual apathy. There is also influence from Catholic television from Italy, which strengthens the Muslim misconception of the Trinity being God the Father, Mary and the Son. In recent years it seems that the strong hold of Islam has weakened, but rather than looking to other faiths, most people have been attracted to materialism. Although Christian media reaches Tunisians, the message is foreign to many and they cannot conceive being both Tunisian and Christian.

History of Christian Presence Amongst This People Group
A Christian presence began in the early centuries of the church. During the Roman period Christians sought shelter from the persecution in the catacombs of Sousse, or were thrown to the lions and wild beasts at the amphitheatre in Carthage. By the third century, the emperors were converted. A famous Tunisian Christian was Tertullian. The church was weakened by schisms and heresy, as well as by the Vandal and Byzantine invasions. Missions started again towards the end of the nineteenth century. Numbers of believers amongst the Tunisians has been low. In 1999 there was a year of prayer for Tunisia and during that year the number of fellowshipping believers more than trebled.

Current Church Development
Christians: <100
Scriptures available: Bible (Arabic)
Other Literary Resources: Arabic books and materials numerous.
Christian Radio: Broadcasts are going out every day.
Videos: Jesus film available in Tunisian Arabic dialect.
Satellite Media: Sat 7 (Satellite program, designed for Christian audiences in the Middle East) and other satellite channels are reaching this area.
Response to Christians: Few people have been exposed to the Gospel message.
Attitude to Christian faith: Many have a wrong picture of what Christians believe and what their lives are like, thinking that everyone from the West is Christian and equating immorality in western society as Christian also.
Resistance/Receptivity: People in Tunisia are at varied stages on the scale of Resistance/Receptivity. Few are very open, most indifferent and others, very closed. Response has been limited by a number of factors including a restrictive political environment which has strongly discouraged diversity, social opposition, nominal Islam, blatant materialism and secularism, and underlying spiritual strongholds going back over centuries. However in recent years God has been changing this environment. Increasing numbers of Tunisians are seeking and receptivity is growing.

Current Needs
Trained and experienced personnel in many areas.
Business opportunities to be developed/small scale enterprise to create jobs.
Qualified English teachers.
Pioneers for minority groups: mental health, handicapped.

General InformationStatisticsPrayGet Involved