Tunisia Drops in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI)
Tunisia has slipped in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country now ranks 82nd out of 110 economies, with a score of 3.62 out of 7, down from 78th place in 2024 and 77th in 2019. However, this decline requires nuance, as the data reveals a more complex reality.
In fact, Tunisia’s score has remained nearly stable: 3.58 in 2019, compared to 3.62 in both 2024 and 2026. Data recalculated according to the WEF’s 2026 methodology indicates that the country has not lost ground in absolute terms. The relative drop in ranking is primarily driven by the progress made by other nations.
This decline is largely explained by global dynamics. Between 2024 and 2026, 101 out of 110 economies (92%) improved their scores, pushing the global average up by approximately 2.1%—its highest increase since 2019. By maintaining its previous level, Tunisia is among the nine economies that showed no progress. Its drop in the ranking therefore reflects a gap with the pace of improvement observed elsewhere.
It is crucial to understand what this index actually measures. The TTDI does not report on visitor arrivals, tourist spending, or tourism revenue. Instead, it assesses the conditions under which the sector operates and the policies implemented to ensure its sustainable and resilient development. This evaluation is based on 17 pillars and 102 indicators. Consequently, the 82nd rank does not correspond to a ranking of destinations by tourist traffic.
Comparisons with other economies in the region confirm the stability of Tunisia’s relative position. Tunisia remains 10th out of 12 countries in the MENA region, trailing the regional average (3.98) by 0.36 points, just as it did in 2024. Nevertheless, the regional average increased by 2.5%. Morocco stands out with a 5.5% increase and a gain of seven places, while Algeria improved by 3.6% and climbed four ranks.
However, interpreting the rankings requires caution. The scores are tightly clustered: only 0.45 points separate the 63rd rank (3.97) from the 89th (3.52). Minor variations can therefore significantly alter the ranking. Fundamentally, the trend remains clear: between 2019 and 2026, Tunisia’s score increased by 1.1%, whereas each of the seven comparison economies selected by IACE recorded growth of at least 3.4%.
Therefore, attention should focus less on the specific rank achieved and more on the conditions necessary for the sector’s progress.
