Tunisia forecasts current account deficit at 3.7% of GDP in 2027
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Presse de Tunisie
Tunisian head of government Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri announced on Monday before Parliament that the current account deficit should narrow to 3.7% of GDP in 2027, against 3.9% in 2026, thanks to lower energy imports and an expected rise in exports and tourism receipts. Export diversification is among the priorities of the 2027 budget, according to La Presse de Tunisie.
Tunisia plans to bring its current account deficit down to 3.7% of gross domestic product in 2027, against 3.9% in 2026, head of government Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri said on Monday, presenting the government's statement on the draft economic budget and state budget for 2027 before a joint plenary session of the Assembly of the People's Representatives and the National Council of Regions and Districts.
The fall in energy imports expected in 2027, after the record rise in 2026, should ease pressure on external balances, supported by exports of goods and services, tourism receipts and transfers from Tunisians living abroad, according to Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri. She is counting on the mechanical and electrical industries, phosphates and derivatives, agriculture and the agri-food industries, and makes diversification of exports and widening the base of exporting companies a priority for 2027.
The value added of tourism should rise by 5.2% in 2027, against 4.9% in 2026, and tourism receipts by 5.9%, against 5.6% the previous year, on the basis of an expected rise in foreign tourists and domestic tourism. The government is aiming for modernisation of the sector, diversification of the offer, health tourism and extending the tourist season to the different regions.
The presentation is part of preparations for the 2027 budget, which provides for 68.895 billion dinars in spending and 12.530 billion dinars in development.
