Insurance Sector in Tunisia: Steady Progress and Diversification
The insurance sector in Tunisia is experiencing steady growth and diversification, with significant potential for further development. According to Sana Attig, Director of Insurance at Deloitte Francophone Africa, during her intervention on Express Fm, insurance premiums reached nearly 3.8 billion dinars in 2024, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This trend has been observed since 2022, with an average annual growth rate of 10%. At the same time, indemnities paid by insurers amounted to 2 billion dinars, confirming the sector's central role in supporting households and the economy.
Untapped Potential
The market remains dominated by automobile insurance, which accounts for 38% of premiums, but other branches are gaining momentum. Health insurance is progressing at a rate of around 10% per year, while life insurance and savings already account for nearly 30% of the market, driven by tax incentives and changes in behavior, particularly after the Covid-19 crisis. The latter has revealed the vulnerability of households and accelerated the awareness of the importance of coverage.
International Standards
Despite these advances, Tunisia remains far from international standards. According to Express Fm, the insurance penetration rate is around 2.4%, compared to 7% globally. The average annual expenditure per inhabitant is 315 dinars (approximately 90 euros), compared to nearly 200 euros in Morocco and over 2,000 euros in Europe. This gap illustrates the enormous margin for progress in the sector, particularly through the expansion of offerings to independents, very small businesses, and the informal sector.
New Challenges
To overcome distribution difficulties, particularly in rural areas or among unbanked populations, companies must focus on simpler products and digitalization. The example of electronic vehicle inspection already illustrates this transformation. However, new challenges are emerging: cybersecurity, data management, artificial intelligence, and the impact of climate change. Indemnities related to fires, for example, have increased by 20% in 2025, partly due to drought and heatwaves.
Beyond Economic Role
The sector is not limited to an economic shock-absorbing role. It also participates in social protection, particularly through collective health insurance, which improves employee coverage and reduces absenteeism. Furthermore, thanks to premiums collected from life insurance contracts, companies have long-term financial resources, enabling them to invest in strategic projects and support the national economy.
Adaptation of Skills
Finally, the transformation of the sector requires an adaptation of skills. Insurers will need specialized profiles in actuarial science, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence. According to Sana Attig, this transformation can only succeed by relying on an expanded ecosystem associating insurers, banks, fintechs, and telecoms to better address population needs and collectively manage new risks.
