The Tunisian diaspora refers to people of Tunisian origin living outside that country. It is the direct result of the strong rate of emigration which Tunisia has experienced since its independence in 1956. [1] In the 1960s and 70s, the favourable economic situation in France and Europe increased the phenomenon. The beginning of the 1980s saw the clear development of a Tunisian community in Europe as a result of the large number of people. [2] [3]
In 2014 the number of Tunisians residing abroad was numbered at 1,282,371 individuals, [4] of which 87% were living in Europe. However, this official figure appears to be lower than reality because of the inadequate recording of migration statistics. [5] Thus it is not rare to discover a single data point represents all the members of a family or to discover duplicates. Among the citizens which are underrepresented in the statistics are the third generation in France (according to one estimate, only one in ten of these have been recorded) and the children of mixed-race parents. The illegal immigrants (very numerous in Italy for example) are by definition not included in the official statistics.
750000 [6] have settled in France [4] - one of the most important foreign communities in the country - and two thirds of them hold double citizenship. They are concentrated mostly in the large cities (40% in Paris, 12% in Lyons and 8% in Marseilles, with smaller communities in Nice, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, and Lille). Sonia Mabrouk connects this clumping phenomenon with the urban origin of the Tunisian migrants (Tunis and the littoral), but also with the nature of the different waves of migration. Thus the 1970s mainly saw the arrival of migrants from the south of Tunisia. These settled in the Rhône Valley and at Paris which offered the greatest number of opportunities for employment and created connections with their places of origin, which subsequently encouraged other migrants to settle in the same places. According to INSEE, 1.4% of children born in 2011 in Metropolitan France (i.e. 11,466 of 792,996) had a father born in Tunisia, with the greatest proportion in the departments of Alpes-Maritimes (8.6%), Var (4.5%), Seine-Saint-Denis (3.9%), Rhône (3.7%), Val-de-Marne (3.4%), and Bouches-du-Rhône (2.4%). [7]
In Germany the Rhein-Ruhr region has 18,000 Tunisians, Berlin has 5,700 Tunisians, Braunschweig has 2,200 Tunisians due to the city being a twin city of Sousse and having many other connections with Tunisia [8] , Hamburg has 1,700 Tunisians [9] , Munich has 1,640 Tunisians,Bremen has 1,567 Tunisians, Stuttgart has 1,350 Tunisians, Hanover has 1,122 Tunisians, Frankfurt has 1,023 Tunisians. Tunisians are dispersed throughout Germany in many medium-sized cities and villages especially in the states Lower Saxony, North Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria, Hessen and Baden Württemberg. The Braunschweig region, having an estimate of 8,000 Tunisian and Rhein Ruhr region, roughly 18,000, have the highest amount of Tunisian migrants in Germany as of year 2023. [10] [11]
There are 110,385 Tunisians in the other Arab countries, 44,195 in North America, 3359 in Subsaharan Africa and 2365 in Asia (excepting the Arab countries); 514 Tunisians are accounted for in Australia. [4]
Country | Total |
---|---|
1,942,000 | |
France | 1,338,000 |
Italy | 370,000 [12] |
Germany | 188,000 |
Belgium and Luxembourg | 38,000 |
Switzerland | 23,600 |
Turkey | 20,000 |
United Kingdom and Ireland | 13,400 |
Netherlands | 11,900 |
Sweden | 10,000 |
Austria and Croatia and Slovakia and Slovenia | 9,200 |
Spain | 3,722 |
Russia and Ukraine | 1,851 |
Norway | 1,624 |
Romania | 1,555 |
Denmark | 1,420 |
Poland | 1,340 |
Finland | 1,219 |
Czech | 1,125 |
Greece | 981 |
Hungary | 437 |
231,085 | |
Libya | 83,633 |
United Arab Emirates | 34,500 |
Qatar | 31,500 |
Saudi Arabia | 28,500 |
Algeria | 20,300 |
Oman | 8,000 |
Morocco | 5,300 |
Egypt | 3,600 |
Kuwait | 3,500 |
Syria | 2,300 |
Bahrain | 1,605 |
Lebanon | 1,323 |
Jordan | 950 |
65,000 | |
Canada | 40,000 |
United States | 150,000 |
3,359 | |
Ivory Coast | 1,991 |
Senegal | 1,110 |
South Africa | 349 |
Gabon | 298 |
Mali | 216 |
3,652 | |
Japan | 778 |
Australia | 514 |
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines | 497 |
China | 279 |
Total | 2,625,000 |
Source :https://www.leaders.com.tn/article/19702-ces-tunisiens-dans-le-monde-qui-sont-ils-ou-resident-ils |
Statistics of the Office of Tunisians Abroad show more than 128,000 Tunisian families in Europe with a concentration in France and Germany. Young Tunisians (less than 16 years of age) represent 25% of the Tunisian community abroad. [13] Thus there is currently a rejuvenation of the Tunisian diaspora which is now in its third generation. Women represent nearly 26% of the total community. [13] In France, their percentage is estimated at 38.2%. The portion of the diaspora who are over 60 years old is around 7%.
Originally, the largest part of the Tunisians in Europe worked in sectors requiring minimal qualifications. In effect the migrants of the 1960s and 70s were less educated (mostly farmers or manual labourers). [3]
Subsequently, the majority of Tunisians settled in France have worked in the service sector (hotels, restaurants or retail) or have headed small businesses. In 2008, Tunisia became the first of the Maghreb countries to sign a management agreement concerning the flow of migrants, at the impetus of President Nicolas Sarkozy: it provides easy access for almost 9,000 Tunisian students enrolled in French institutions, [3] but also almost 500 titres de séjour (residency permits) for highly qualified individuals so that they can acquire experience in France, valid for a maximum of six years. [3] In the Arab World the Tunisian population is mostly made up of very highly qualified individuals while labourers and other unskilled individuals form the majority in Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Employment of Tunisians Abroad in hundreds (2011) | |
---|---|
Area | Total |
Education and research | 2,083 |
Architecture | 1,938 |
Medicine and pharmacology | 893 |
IT | 381 |
Legal | 89 |
Business | 1,105 |
Other | 1,860 |
Total | 8,348 |
Region | Number Employed |
Europe | 4,194 |
Americas | 1,609 |
Arab World | 1,226 |
Africa | 136 |
Asia | 68 |
Australia | 11 |
Total | 7,243 |
Sources : Office of Tunisians Abroad [14] |
The contribution of Tunisians abroad encapsulates the projects which they support directly or indirectly in Tunisia. According to the Office of Tunisians Abroad, there were more than 8,845 such projects between 1987 and 2004, for a total investment of around 321 million dinar, generating 39,381 jobs, principally in services (64%) and industry (26%): [15]
According to the Office of Tunisians Abroad, the Tunisians abroad make average of 1.1 billion dinars worth of transfers every year, 76% in the form of money transfers, which constitutes the fourth largest source of currency for the country, representing 5% of the GDP and 23% of national savings. [15] But, although these transfers increase by 8.9% per year, the importance of this source of income has been decreasing continuously since 1996 and the number of projects created by Tunisians abroad has seemed to stagnate. [15]
Ghali (Italy), Claudia Cardinale (Italy), Salah Mejri (United States), Max Azria (United States), M. Salah Baouendi (United States), Mustapha Tlili (United States), Ferrid Kheder (United States), Mounir Laroussi (United States), Oussama Mellouli (United States), Leila Ben Youssef (United States), Bushido (rapper) (Germany), Loco Dice (Germany), Sami Allagui (Germany), Änis Ben-Hatira (Germany), Mounir Chaftar (Germany), Sofian Chahed (Germany), Nejmeddin Daghfous (Germany), Rani Khedira (Germany), Sami Khedira (Germany), Ayman (Germany), Elyas M'Barek (Germany), Adel Tawil (Germany), Amel Karboul (Germany), Michel Boujenah (France), Azzedine Alaïa (France), Tarak Ben Ammar (France), Lââm (France), Nolwenn Leroy (France), Yoann Touzghar (France), Isleym (France), Hatem Ben Arfa (France), Sadek (France), Tunisiano (France), Afef Jnifen (Italy), Sana Hassainia (Canada), Hinda Hicks (England), Mohamed Hechmi Hamdi (England), Hend Sabry (Egypt), Ghassan bin Jiddo (Lebanon), Cyril Hanouna (France), Kev Adams (France), Marwan Kenzari (The Netherlands), Mohamed Challouf (Italy)
In Tunisia, free courses of instruction in Tunisian Arabic are organised during the summer holidays for the children of Tunisian residents abroad, who are heavily influenced by the culture of the countries in which they live. Trips are also organised for them to experience Tunisian culture, history and civilisation.
Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia also shares maritime borders with Italy through the islands of Sicily and Sardinia to the north and Malta to the east. It features the archaeological sites of Carthage dating back to the 9th century BC, as well as the Great Mosque of Kairouan. Known for its ancient architecture, souks, and blue coasts, it covers 163,610 km2 (63,170 sq mi), and has a population of 12.1 million. It contains the eastern end of the Atlas Mountains and the northern reaches of the Sahara desert; much of its remaining territory is arable land. Its 1,300 km (810 mi) of coastline includes the African conjunction of the western and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Basin. Tunisia is home to Africa's northernmost point, Cape Angela. Located on the northeastern coast, Tunis is the capital and largest city of the country, which is itself named after Tunis. The official language of Tunisia is Modern Standard Arabic. The vast majority of Tunisia's population is Arab and Muslim. Vernacular Tunisian Arabic is the most spoken, and French also serves as an administrative and educational language in some contexts, but it has no official status.
The national flag of Tunisia is a rectangular panel of red color with an aspect ratio of 2:3. In the center of the cloth in a white circle is placed a red crescent, surrounding a red five-pointed star on three sides. The Tunisian Bey Hussein II decided to create a flag for Tunisia, close in appearance to the modern one, after the Battle of Navarino on 20 October 1827; in 1831 he was officially approved. In that form, the flag existed during the French protectorate, and on 1 June 1959, it was proclaimed the state flag of the Republic of Tunisia. On 30 June 1999, the proportions and design of the flag were clarified by a special law. The general appearance of the flag remained virtually unchanged.
Tunisian culture is a product of more than three thousand years of history and an important multi-ethnic influx. Ancient Tunisia was a major civilization crossing through history; different cultures, civilizations and multiple successive dynasties contributed to the culture of the country over centuries with varying degrees of influence. Among these cultures were the Carthaginian – their native civilization, Roman, Vandal, Jewish, Christian, Arab, Islamic, Turkish, and French, in addition to native Amazigh. This unique mixture of cultures made Tunisia, with its strategic geographical location in the Mediterranean, the core of several civilizations of Mare Nostrum.
The Bourse des Valeurs Mobilières de Tunis (BVMT) or Bourse de Tunis is a stock exchange based in Tunis, Tunisia. It was founded in 1969, and currently lists around 50 stocks.
The Turkish diaspora refers to ethnic Turkish people who have migrated from, or are the descendants of migrants from, the Republic of Turkey, Northern Cyprus or other modern nation-states that were once part of the former Ottoman Empire. Therefore, the Turkish diaspora is not only formed by people with roots from mainland Anatolia and Eastern Thrace ; rather, it is also formed of Turkish communities which have also left traditional areas of Turkish settlements in the Balkans, the island of Cyprus, the region of Meskhetia in Georgia, and the Arab world.
Tunisians are the citizens and nationals of Tunisia in North Africa, who speak Tunisian Arabic and share a common Tunisian culture and identity. In addition to the approximately 12 million residents in Tunisia, a Tunisian diaspora has been established with modern migration, particularly in Western Europe, namely France, Italy and Germany. The vast majority of Tunisians identify as Arabs who adhere to Sunni Islam.
The Swiss diaspora refers to Swiss people living abroad, also referred to as "fifth Switzerland", alluding to the fourfold linguistic division within the country. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) cares for Swiss people living abroad.
Tunisian literature exists primarily in Arabic and in French. Arabic literature in Tunisia dates to the 7th century, with the arrival of Arab civilization in the region. Arabic literature is more important than francophone literature—which followed the introduction of the French protectorate in 1881—both in volume and value. The national bibliography lists 1,249 non-academic books published in 2002 in Tunisia, of which 885 titles are in Arabic. Nearly a third of these books are intended for children.
Arab Tunisian Bank (ATB), a Tunisian commercial bank, was created on June 30, 1982, by the integration of a branch of the Arab Bank Tunis with Tunisian individuals. Its mission was contribution to the economic and financial development of the country.
Mohamed Moncef Marzouki is a Tunisian politician who served as the fifth president of Tunisia from 2011 to 2014. Through his career he has been a human rights activist, physician and politician. On 12 December 2011, he was elected President of Tunisia by the Constituent Assembly.
During the period of 1965 – 2021, an estimated 440,000 people per year emigrated from Africa; a total number of 17 million migrants within Africa was estimated for 2005. The figure of 0.44 million African emigrants per year pales in comparison to the annual population growth of about 2.6%, indicating that only about 2% of Africa's population growth is compensated for by emigration.
The Tunisian national movement was a sociopolitical movement, born at the beginning of the 20th century, which led to the fight against the French protectorate of Tunisia and gained Tunisian independence in 1956. Inspired by the ideology of the Young Turks and Tunisian political reforms in the latter half of the 19th century, the group of traditionalists—lawyers, doctors and journalists—gradually gave way to a well-structured political organisation of the new French-educated elite. The organisation could mobilise supporters to confront the authorities of the protectorate in order to advance the demands that it made of the French government. The movement's strategy alternated between negotiations and armed confrontations over the years. Support from the powerful trade unions and the feminist movement, along with an intellectual and musical cultural revival, contributed to a strong assertion of national identity which was reinforced by the educational and political systems after independence.
The Turks in Tunisia, also known as Turco-Tunisians and Tunisian Turks, are ethnic Turks who constitute one of the minority groups in Tunisia.
Tunisian wine has a long history dating back to the Antiquity like most Mediterranean countries with the Phoenicians and Carthage.
Tunisians in France are people of Tunisian descent living in France. People of Tunisian origin account for a large sector of the total population in France. Following France's colonial rule in Tunisia from 1881 to 1956, many Tunisians chose to immigrate to France from the 1960s to the present due to France's favorable economic conditions, while others sought to escape Tunisia's relatively unfavorable living conditions. The early 1980s saw a boom of the Tunisian community in France because of adjustments.
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Abdeljelil Zaouche was a Tunisian politician, reformer, and campaigner in the Tunisian independence movement.
Kais Saied is a Tunisian politician, jurist and retired assistant professor of law currently serving as the seventh president of Tunisia since October 2019. He was president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law from 1995 to 2019.
Events in the year 2020 in Tunisia.
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