Madar (Tunis) - Tunisia's government expects the budget deficit to rise to a record of about $5 billion in 2027, or 7.3% of gross domestic product, as pressure on public finances persists and funding state spending becomes harder.
According to the draft budget, the deficit would widen from the 6% of GDP targeted for 2026, reflecting a growing gap between revenue and spending. It would be the highest level ever targeted in a Tunisian budget, as the country faces rising public debt, weak growth and limited access to external financing.
The draft puts Tunisia's borrowing needs at about 28.1 billion dinars in 2027, up from some 27 billion in 2026. Domestic borrowing is expected to exceed 20 billion dinars, with the government continuing to rely on local banks and markets to make up for scarce foreign funding.
To cover its needs, Tunisia plans to issue its first sovereign sukuk worth 9 billion dinars in 2027 and seek new direct financing from the central bank worth the equivalent of $3.35 billion.
