Country Profile: Tanzania

Tanzania, located in Eastern Africa along the Indian Ocean and bordered by Kenya and Mozambique, is known for its diverse geography which includes plains, plateaus, and Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The country has a population of over 67 million, predominantly comprised of Bantu-speaking ethnic groups. Tanzania's economy is emerging, driven by a rich array of natural resources and a burgeoning tourism sector, while its political landscape is dominated by a presidential republic system established after its independence in the early 1960s. The country grapples with developmental challenges but demonstrates a robust growth trajectory in multiple sectors.

Geography

Tanzania is characterized by its vast land area of 947,300 square kilometers, making it the largest country in East Africa. The terrain includes coastal plains, highlands, and is home to significant lakes like Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. The climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands, which influences agricultural practices across the nation.

1,424 km of coastline along the Indian Ocean.
5,895 m is the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.
44.6% of land is used for agriculture (2022 estimate).
Contains over 130 tribes.
50.6% of land is covered by forests (2022 estimate).

People and Society

With an estimated population of 67,462,121 in 2024, Tanzania is the most populous country in East Africa. The population is predominantly young, with a median age of 19.1 years and a growth rate of 2.72% annually. The nation exhibits a rich cultural tapestry with various ethnic groups and languages, including Swahili and English as official languages.

41.2% of the population is aged 0-14 years old.
Urban population is 37.4% of the total (2023).
63.1% of the population identifies as Christian, while 34.1% are Muslim.
29.1% of women are married by the age of 18 (2022).
Life expectancy stands at 70.8 years (2024 estimate).

Economy

Tanzania's economy is classified as an emerging lower middle-income economy, with substantial growth in sectors such as tourism and agriculture. The GDP in purchasing power parity is estimated to reach $246.706 billion in 2024, with a projected growth rate of 5.5%. The country invests heavily across various sectors, aiming to reduce poverty and enhance economic stability.

23.4% of GDP comes from agriculture (2024 estimate).
Unemployment rate is 2.6% (2024 estimate).
26.4% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2018.
Exports were valued at $13.98 billion in 2023.
Youth unemployment rate is 3.3% (2024 estimate).

Government

Tanzania operates as a presidential republic, with the president acting as both head of state and government. Its political scene is primarily dominated by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has won every presidential election since multi-party elections were introduced in 1995. The government structure includes a unicameral National Assembly and a legal system based on English common law.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been in office since March 2021.
The next presidential election is expected in October 2025.
Citizens can vote at 18 years of age.
Tanzania has a total of 31 administrative regions.

Military and Security

Tanzania's defense structure includes the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) and the Tanzania Police Force. The military focuses on internal security concerns like piracy and cross-border threats, particularly from terrorist groups such as ISIS. The budget for military expenditures is approximately 1.4% of GDP for 2024.

The active personnel strength is around 25,000 (2025 estimate).
520 troops are deployed in the Central African Republic under UN peacekeeping (2025).
Military service is voluntary for ages 18-25.

Energy

Electricity access in Tanzania remains limited, with a national average of 45.8% electrification. The energy mix is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, although there is some capacity in hydroelectricity. The country is pushing to improve energy consumption efficiency and expand renewable energy sources.

1.818 million kW of installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
9.109 billion kWh of electricity consumed (2023).
Natural gas consumption matches production at 2.016 billion cubic meters (2023).

Environment

Tanzania faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation and biodiversity loss. The country is committed to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.

The country is party to agreements addressing biodiversity and climate change.
Urbanization rate is projected at 4.89% from 2020 to 2025.
Total water withdrawal for agricultural use is 4.63 billion cubic meters (2020).

Transportation

Tanzania has a comprehensive transportation network that includes railways, roads, and air transport. The country boasts a significant number of airports and a growing merchant marine fleet, facilitating trade and travel across the region.

206 airports are expected by 2025.
The railway network spans 4,097 km (2022).
381 vessels comprise the merchant marine fleet (2023).

Communications

Communications infrastructure in Tanzania is expanding, with increasing mobile and internet access. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain limited, while mobile cellular subscriptions have seen significant growth.

70.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
29% of the population are internet users (2023).
The country has about 45 TV stations and 196 radio stations.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	67,462,121	Estimated for 2024
Area	947,300 sq km	Includes land and water
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)	$246.706 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	4.091 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	32.5 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2.6%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	70.8 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	37.4%	Of total population (2023)
Literacy Rate	78%	Estimated for 2015
Military Expenditures	1.4% of GDP	Estimated for 2024