Tunisia’s economy grew 2.4% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 2.1% a year earlier, mainly driven by a surge in agricultural output, official data shows.
Agricultural activity expanded 11.5%, accelerating from 9.8% in the previous quarter, according to new data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The INS said the sector “contributed 0.98 percentage points” to total GDP, making it the most significant driver of growth. Manufacturing also strengthened, rising 1.6% on an annual basis, with chemicals up 2.4% and mechanical and electrical industries climbing 4.9%. Output of other metal products grew 1.4%.
The services sector posted a 1.4% expansion, contributing 0.86 percentage points to overall growth. Hotels, restaurants, and cafés rose 7.1%, while information and communications increased 2.7%. Transportation grew slightly, at 0.3%. Domestic demand jumped 6.7% year-on-year, driven by stronger consumption and investment, contributing 7.28 percentage points.
Trade pressures and sector weaknesses
Mining, water, and waste treatment expanded 1.8%, supported by a 31.7% surge in mining activity that offset weaknesses elsewhere. However, oil and gas extraction plunged 13.1% year on year, dragging industrial output.
External trade further weighed on performance. Exports rose 3.8%, but imports surged 12.7%, leading net external trade to subtract 4.90 percentage points from GDP.
The trade deficit continued to widen — reaching 18.43 billion dinars ($6.3 billion) in October, up from 15.71 billion dinars a year earlier. Monthly imports increased 4.9% to 70.7 billion dinars.
Tunisia’s rising debt levels add to the strain. Public debt is projected to hit 81% of GDP by the end of 2025, with the government expected to request $3.7 billion in direct central bank financing for the 2026 budget.
Quarterly growth was flat compared with Q2. The year’s performance remains uneven – 3.2% in Q2 following 1.6% in Q1 – contrasting with last year’s steady acceleration.
