Increase in Tickets & Coins by 12% on April 3, 2025
- TUNIS, Tunisia – The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) reported that currency in circulation exceeded 24 billion dinars as of April 3, 2025, marking a 12% increase compared...
- Salah Souilem, former director general of monetary policy at the BCT, attributed the surge to the recent law impacting the use of checks.
- The BCT's report also highlighted a modest 5% increase in tourism revenue.
Tunisia’s Currency in Circulation Rises Amid Check Law Impact
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TUNIS, Tunisia – The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) reported that currency in circulation exceeded 24 billion dinars as of April 3, 2025, marking a 12% increase compared too the same period in 2024. The figures were released in the BCT’s latest monetary and financial indicators report.
Salah Souilem, former director general of monetary policy at the BCT, attributed the surge to the recent law impacting the use of checks. In an interview with the TAP news agency,Souilem stated that Tunisians are increasingly turning to cash as an option to checks,which he described as “the most used means of payment in Tunisia.”
Tourism Revenue and Labor Income Show Gains
The BCT’s report also highlighted a modest 5% increase in tourism revenue. Revenue reached 1.3 billion dinars at the end of March 2025,up from 1.2 billion dinars during the first quarter of 2024.
accumulated labor income also saw positive growth, rising by 7.2% to approximately 1.9 billion dinars in the first three months of 2025, compared to 1.7 billion dinars a year prior.
External Debt Coverage
According to the BCT, the combined total of tourism revenue and labor income covers 54.6% of the country’s external debt obligations. Tunisia’s external debt stood at 5.9 billion dinars at the end of March 2025.
Foreign Currency Reserves Stable
Net assets in foreign currency remained stable compared to the previous year, holding steady at approximately 23.3 billion dinars as of April 4, 2025. This level represents 102 days of import coverage.
# Tunisia’s Economic Snapshot: Currency in Circulation, Tourism, and Debt
This article dives into recent economic data from Tunisia, examining currency trends, tourism revenues, labor income, and the nation’s financial standing. We’ll break down the facts in a question-and-answer format to help you easily understand the key takeaways.
## What’s the current State of Currency Circulation in Tunisia?
As of April 3,2025,currency in circulation in Tunisia exceeded 24 billion dinars. This represents a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2024.These figures were released by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT).
## What’s Behind the Rise in Currency Circulation?
Former director general of monetary policy at the BCT, Salah Souilem, attributes the increase in currency circulation to a recent law impacting the use of checks. Tunisians are increasingly opting for cash as a payment method, according to Souilem.
## How Has Tourism Revenue Performed?
Tourism revenue in Tunisia showed a modest increase. Revenue reached 1.3 billion dinars at the end of March 2025,up from 1.2 billion dinars during the first quarter of 2024. This represents a 5% increase.
## What about Labor Income in Tunisia?
Accumulated labor income also saw positive growth during the first three months of 2025. It rose by 7.2% to approximately 1.9 billion dinars, compared to 1.7 billion dinars in the same period the year prior.
## How Does Tourism and Labor Income Contribute to Covering External Debt?
The combined total of tourism revenue and labor income covers 54.6% of Tunisia’s external debt obligations.
## What Is Tunisia’s External Debt?
Tunisia’s external debt stood at 5.9 billion dinars at the end of March 2025.
## How Stable Are Tunisia’s foreign Currency Reserves?
Net assets in foreign currency remained stable compared to the previous year, holding steady at approximately 23.3 billion dinars as of April 4, 2025. This level represents 102 days of import coverage.
## Key Economic Indicators: A Summary
Here’s a simple table summarizing the key figures:
| Indicator | Value (as of specified date) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Currency in Circulation (April 3, 2025) | Over 24 billion dinars | +12% |
| Tourism Revenue (end of March 2025) | 1.3 billion dinars | +5% |
| Labor Income (first three months of 2025) | Approximately 1.9 billion dinars | +7.2% |
| External Debt (end of March 2025) | 5.9 billion dinars | N/A |
| Foreign Currency Reserves (April 4, 2025) | Approximately 23.3 billion dinars | Stable |