Tunisia continues to rank among the top destinations for Libyans seeking medical care, with an estimated 2 to 2.5 million Libyan visitors arriving each year for treatment, according to recent data compiled by local authorities and health sector representatives.
Despite periodic closures of the Ras Jedir border crossing, a key land route between the two countries, Tunisia remains a preferred destination for Libyans, thanks to its proximity, shared history, and robust healthcare infrastructure. In 2016, official figures recorded over 2.67 million Libyans present in Tunisia. More recently, 2.1 million Libyans visited the country between January and December 2023, while 2.254 million were recorded in 2024, making Libyans the second-largest group of foreign visitors after Algerians.
The appeal is rooted in geography and legacy
Tunisia shares a 460-kilometre border with Libya, dotted with two main crossings, Ras Jedir and Dhehiba. Much of the frontier is desert terrain, historically used for informal trade and cross-border commerce, often tolerated by both governments.
Medical treatment remains the primary reason for Libyan travel to Tunisia.
The country boasts a wide network of private clinics and specialised centres, offering services from cardiology and orthopaedics to cosmetic procedures. Many Libyan patients are referred to Tunisia for treatment funded by their government.
However, the influx has created financial strain. According to Boubaker Zakhama, head of Tunisia’s national union of private clinics, Libya owes more than $112 million in unpaid bills to 60 Tunisian clinics, a debt that has accumulated over the years of cross-border medical cooperation.
Tunisian officials have embraced the country’s role as a regional hub for therapeutic tourism. MP Badis Belhaj Ali, chair of the parliamentary tourism committee, highlighted Tunisia’s reputation for medical excellence and its ability to combine treatment with leisure. Health Minister Mustafa Al-Farjani recently stated that Tunisia ranks second globally in medical tourism, receiving over 500,000 foreign patients annually and up to 2.5 million visitors seeking health-related services.
Economic ties.
Bilateral trade exceeded 2 billion dinars in 2024, with projections for 2025 surpassing 3 billion. Trade volumes rose by 10.8% between 2022 and 2023, and by 38% between 2021 and 2022. Libya’s exports to Tunisia fluctuated, reaching $107.8 million in 2023, down from $182.7 million in 2021.
Despite political and logistical challenges, Tunisia remains a vital destination for Libyans, whether for treatment, trade, or tourism, sustained by deep-rooted connections and mutual economic interests.
