Country Profile: Tanzania

Tanzania, located in Eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, and rich cultural heritage. Home to over 69 million people, it is the largest and most populous country in East Africa, with a diverse population comprising mainly Bantu ethnic groups. The economy is emerging as lower middle-income, showcasing strong growth, especially in tourism and natural resource sectors. Governed as a presidential republic, Tanzania's political landscape has been dominated by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party since its formation in 1977.

Geography

Tanzania's geography is characterized by a mix of coastal plains, highlands, and plateaus, with the highest point being Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters above sea level. It covers a total area of 947,300 sq km, making it slightly larger than California. The country is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and natural gas, and is bordered by eight countries and the Indian Ocean.

4,161 km of land borders with countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique.
Notable lakes: Lake Victoria (the second-largest freshwater lake in the world) and Lake Tanganyika (the second-deepest).
1,424 km of coastline along the Indian Ocean.
Diverse climate that varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands.

People and Society

Tanzania's population is estimated at 69,145,464 in 2025, with a balanced gender ratio and a youthful demographic – about 41.2% of the population is aged between 0-14 years. The majority of Tanzanians are Africans of Bantu origin, with Swahili as the official language, along with English widely used in commerce and education. Religious diversity is significant, with approximately 63.1% identifying as Christian and 34.1% as Muslim, particularly in Zanzibar.

2.85% population growth rate (2025 est.).
70.8 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
33.45 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
78.2% literacy rate (2022 est.).

Economy

Tanzania's economy is recovering robustly post-pandemic, driven by sectors such as tourism, mining, and agriculture. With a real GDP of approximately $246.706 billion (2024 est.), it witnesses steady growth rates. The nation’s economic activities are diverse, with agriculture accounting for 23.4%, industry contributing 28.7%, and services about 28.4% of GDP.

2.6% unemployment rate (2024 est.).
5.5% GDP growth rate (2024 est.).
Approximately 32.983 million in the labor force (2024 est.).
26.4% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2018.

Government

Tanzania operates as a presidential republic with significant powers vested in the presidency. The current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been in office since March 2021. The government consists of a unicameral National Assembly, and the country has seen a series of regularly contested elections since introducing multi-party politics in 1995, though the CCM has maintained dominance.

31 administrative regions.
Latest constitutional amendment adopted on 25 April 1977.
18 years is the legal voting age for universal suffrage.
Tanzania has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Military and Security

The Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) are composed of Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, and a paramilitary Nation Building Army, focusing on internal security and regional peacekeeping. Military expenditures account for about 1.3% of GDP as of 2024.

Approximately 25,000 active military personnel (2025).
Involvement in peacekeeping missions in places like the Central African Republic and Mozambique.
Primary military concerns include maritime piracy and border security.
Modern military inventory includes equipment mainly from British, Chinese, and Soviet sources.

Energy

Tanzania's energy sector is growing, with electricity access reaching 45.8% of the population in 2022, highlighting significant challenges, particularly in rural areas where access is only 36%. The country's electricity generation relies mainly on fossil fuels.

1.818 million kW total installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
9.109 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023).
74.5% of generating capacity from fossil fuels (2023).
Proven natural gas reserves of 6.513 billion cubic meters (2021).

Environment

Tanzania faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. The country is actively involved in international efforts to address these issues, participating in various environmental agreements.

44.6% of land used for agriculture (2023).
50.1% forest cover (2023).
96.27 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022).
Over 12% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).

Transportation

Tanzania has extensive transport networks, including railways, roads, and ports, essential for trade and mobility. The country boasts a significant number of airports and active merchant vessels.

206 airports (2025).
Total railway length of 4,097 km (2022).
381 vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023).
Key ports include Dar es Salaam and Tanga.

Communications

The telecommunications sector is growing, with mobile subscriptions exceeding the population and internet access steadily increasing. Broadcast media is widely available, enhancing information dissemination across the country.

86.8 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
About 45 TV stations and 196 radio stations operational.
1.66 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
29% of the population are internet users (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	69,145,464 (2025 est.)
Area	947,300 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$246.706 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	4.091 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	33.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.6% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	70.8 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	78.2% (2022 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	4.45 children/woman (2025 est.)
Forest Cover	50.1% (2023 est.)