The share of urban population in Tunisia amounted to 70.54 percent in 2023. In a steady upward trend, the share rose by 33.03 percentage points from 1960.

Tunisia TN: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 31.358 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 31.654 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 43.278 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62.489 % in 1960 and a record low of 31.358 % in 2017. Tunisia TN: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Tunisia TN: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 1.556 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.568 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.084 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.234 % in 1985 and a record low of 1.285 % in 2005. Tunisia TN: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2024, Tunis was the city with the largest population in Tunisia, with around 693,000 inhabitants. The cities of Sfax and Sousse followed with approximately 277,000 and 164,000 people, respectively. Other highly populated areas were Sousse, Kairouan, and Bizerte. Rapid urbanization in Tunisia and across Africa The Tunisian population is mostly concentrated in cities. In recent years, increasingly more people have migrated from rural areas to urban centers. In fact, having undergone rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development, cities generally offer a higher standard of living and more employment opportunities to the population. As a result, the share of people living in urban areas in the country has increased steadily, reaching almost 70 percent in 2021. Tunisia has one of the highest urbanization rates in Africa. On the continent, the most urbanized countries are Gabon and Libya, which record rates above 80 percent. In general, urbanization is increasing rapidly across Africa and is forecast to grow further in the coming years to reach 722 million people by 2026. A slowdown in population growth In 2023, the total population of Tunisia amounted to around 12 million. The number of inhabitants has risen in the last decade and is forecast to keep growing in the coming years, with the country’s population reaching 12.8 million people by 2030 and almost 14 million by 2050. Nevertheless, population growth has generally been declining in Tunisia. Decreasing natality and a high mortality rate are some factors contributing to this slowdown. For instance, the number of births dropped from 226,000 in 2014 to 173,000 in 2020. Moreover, the country has the highest death rate in the Maghreb region after Mauritania.

Tunisia TN: Urban Population data was reported at 7,915,883.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,793,664.000 Person for 2016. Tunisia TN: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 4,516,155.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,915,883.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 1,566,559.000 Person in 1960. Tunisia TN: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Urban population (% of total population) in Tunisia was reported at 70.88 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Tunisia - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Tunisia TN: Rural Population Growth data was reported at 0.184 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.231 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.540 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.632 % in 1983 and a record low of -0.315 % in 2003. Tunisia TN: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Tunisia TN: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 68.642 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 68.346 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 56.722 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.642 % in 2017 and a record low of 37.511 % in 1960. Tunisia TN: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Contains data from World Bank's data portal covering various economic and social indicators (one per resource).

Tunisia TN: Rural Population data was reported at 3,616,244.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,609,584.000 Person for 2016. Tunisia TN: Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 3,445,040.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,616,244.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 2,609,707.000 Person in 1960. Tunisia TN: Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 28.477 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 28.462 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 30.919 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.552 % in 1960 and a record low of 28.110 % in 2004. Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

The urban indicators data available here are analyzed, compiled and published by UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory which supports governments, local authorities and civil society organizations to develop urban indicators, data and statistics. Urban statistics are collected through household surveys and censuses conducted by national statistics authorities. Global Urban Observatory team analyses and compiles urban indicators statistics from surveys and censuses. Additionally, Local urban observatories collect, compile and analyze urban data for national policy development. Population statistics are produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Urbanization Prospects.

Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City data was reported at 2,254,227.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,218,261.000 Person for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City data is updated yearly, averaging 1,396,315.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,254,227.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 588,271.000 Person in 1960. Tunisia TN: Population in Largest City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; ;

Tunisia TN: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data was reported at 8.000 % in 2014. Tunisia TN: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.000 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2014, with 1 observations. Tunisia TN: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population living in slums is the proportion of the urban population living in slum households. A slum household is defined as a group of individuals living under the same roof lacking one or more of the following conditions: access to improved water, access to improved sanitation, sufficient living area, and durability of housing.; ; UN HABITAT, retrieved from the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals database. Data are available at : http://mdgs.un.org/; Weighted average;

Tunisia TN: Net Migration data was reported at -20,000.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -65,963.000 Person for 2012. Tunisia TN: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging -51,383.500 Person from Dec 1962 (Median) to 2017, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 140,341.000 Person in 1992 and a record low of -142,495.000 Person in 1962. Tunisia TN: Net Migration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

Abstract

The World Values Survey (www.worldvaluessurvey.org) is a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life, led by an international team of scholars, with the WVS association and secretariat headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

The survey, which started in 1981, seeks to use the most rigorous, high-quality research designs in each country. The WVS consists of nationally representative surveys conducted in almost 100 countries which contain almost 90 percent of the world’s population, using a common questionnaire. The WVS is the largest non-commercial, cross-national, time series investigation of human beliefs and values ever executed, currently including interviews with almost 400,000 respondents. Moreover the WVS is the only academic study covering the full range of global variations, from very poor to very rich countries, in all of the world’s major cultural zones.

The WVS seeks to help scientists and policy makers understand changes in the beliefs, values and motivations of people throughout the world. Thousands of political scientists, sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists and economists have used these data to analyze such topics as economic development, democratization, religion, gender equality, social capital, and subjective well-being. These data have also been widely used by government officials, journalists and students, and groups at the World Bank have analyzed the linkages between cultural factors and economic development.

Geographic coverage

National.

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

National Population, Both sexes,18 and more years.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample size: 1205

Region - Governorate - Delegation - Imada - PSU - Household.

The sampling for the study will combine probability and quota sampling approach. That is the selection of PSUs, sectors/clusters, sector entry/starting point and household will be purely random. Selection of gender will be alternated between the two sexes in line with population split for the country. It is only at the point of final respondent selection that age quota will be applied.

All other demographic characteristics – education, employments etc -will be allowed to fall out naturally from the sample. The urbanization split is 70:30 in favour of the rural. Fieldwork will however be split 60:40 in favour of the urban to avoid under representation of the more diverse urban population. For more information on the sampling procedure refer to the Sampling Design document of the related materials.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

For each wave, suggestions for questions are solicited by social scientists from all over the world and a final master questionnaire is developed in English. Since the start in 1981 each successive wave has covered a broader range of societies than the previous one. Analysis of the data from each wave has indicated that certain questions tapped interesting and important concepts while others were of little value. This has led to the more useful questions or themes being replicated in future waves while the less useful ones have been dropped making room for new questions.

The questionnaire is translated into the various national languages and in many cases independently translated back to English to check the accuracy of the translation. In most countries, the translated questionnaire is pre-tested to help identify questions for which the translation is problematic. In some cases certain problematic questions are omitted from the national questionnaire.

WVS requires implementation of the common questionnaire fully and faithfully, in all countries included into one wave. Any alteration to the original questionnaire has to be approved by the EC. Omission of no more than a maximum of 12 questions in any given country can be allowed.

Response rate

72.42%

Sampling error estimates

Estimated error: 2.9

Tunisia TN: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 2,768,807.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,726,433.000 Person for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 2,618,268.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,103,766.000 Person in 1993 and a record low of 1,815,693.000 Person in 1960. Tunisia TN: Population: Total: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

Tunisia TN: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.124 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.143 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.931 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.875 % in 1983 and a record low of 0.761 % in 2003. Tunisia TN: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Male data was reported at 49.402 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 49.401 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 50.195 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 50.362 % in 1994 and a record low of 49.401 % in 2016. Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population is the percentage of the population that is male. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 24.010 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 23.909 % for 2016. Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 37.895 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.365 % in 1966 and a record low of 23.253 % in 2011. Tunisia TN: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;