Tunisia Ranks 77th in ‘Best Countries’ Report for 2026
Tunisia occupies the 77th position worldwide in the 2026 edition of the “Best Countries” ranking published by the American media U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with BAV Group and the Wharton School.
With an overall score of 46.7 out of 100, the country is in an intermediate position, reflecting both achievements in human development and persistent economic and institutional fragilities.
This international ranking, which evaluates about a hundred countries, is based on a methodology combining international perceptions and statistical indicators. It analyzes the performance of states through eight pillars: economic development, governance, quality of life, health, infrastructure, natural environment, opportunities, and cultural capital.
The goal is to measure not only gross economic performance but also the overall image and attractiveness of countries.
A Contrasting Position in Different Pillars
Detailed results of the ranking show Tunisia with heterogeneous performances. In terms of economic development, the country ranks 73rd with a score of 43.1, driven by an estimated GDP of 178.3 billion dollars and a GDP per capita in purchasing power parity of $14,521. However, this indicator is limited by a high unemployment rate of 15.1%, low productivity, and significant levels of poverty.
In terms of governance, Tunisia occupies the 71st position globally with a score of 46.9, reflecting challenges related to institutional effectiveness, perception of corruption, and political stability.
The country also ranks 74th in infrastructure, despite almost universal access to electricity and a sanitation coverage rate exceeding 98%.
Socially, Tunisia ranks 89th in “Civic Health,” an indicator that measures social trust, citizen participation, and perceived well-being. The country shows low levels of generalized trust and relatively low voter turnout rates according to the ranking methodology.
However, some sectors appear stronger. The health sector places Tunisia in 71st place globally, with a life expectancy of 76.5 years and vaccination coverage exceeding 94%. Access to care and the effectiveness of basic systems are relatively positive overall.
A Potential but Transitional Country
The ranking also highlights the structural characteristics of the country. Tunisia has a relatively high level of education with an average of 7.6 years of schooling, as well as developing rates of banking and social services.
However, challenges persist in terms of innovation, research and development, and access to digital skills, where the country lags behind.
In the “opportunities” pillar, Tunisia ranks 70th, reflecting a business environment still constrained by regulatory obstacles and a labor market marked by a mismatch between training and employment.
Overall, the 2026 U.S. News ranking paints a picture of Tunisia in a mid-range position on the global scale. The country benefits from real assets in terms of human capital, basic social coverage, and a strategic geographical position in the Mediterranean, but still faces structural challenges related to growth, governance, and the creation of economic opportunities.
With this 77th rank, Tunisia falls into the category of emerging economies in transition, where there is significant room for progress, especially in economic transformation, innovation, and improving the business climate.
