Country Profile: Tanzania

Tanzania is an East African nation located along the Indian Ocean, bordered by Kenya and Mozambique. It is characterized by a diverse landscape featuring iconic national parks and significant archaeological sites, alongside a rich cultural heritage shaped by various ethnolinguistic groups. As the largest and most populous country in East Africa, Tanzania has a growing economy primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and mining, while its governance has been defined by a presidential republic since independence in 1964. The current political landscape retains a dominant ruling party system, with ongoing challenges around electoral integrity and civil liberties.

Geography

Tanzania spans an area of 947,300 square kilometers, making it larger than California and more than six times the size of Georgia. It features a variety of terrains ranging from coastal plains to highlands, with Mount Kilimanjaro being the highest point in Africa. The country is bordered by several nations and is surrounded by three of Africa's largest lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.

1,424 km of coastline along the Indian Ocean.
61,500 sq km of water bodies, including significant lakes and rivers.
4,161 km of land borders with 8 neighboring countries.
50.1% of land covered by forests (2023).
Home to Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 m.

People and Society

Tanzania has an estimated population of 69,145,464 in 2025, predominantly composed of over 130 African tribes, primarily Bantu. The country recognizes Kiswahili (Swahili) and English as official languages, reflecting its diverse cultural tapestry. The population is young, with a median age of 18.8 years, and a significant portion resides in urban areas, which comprise 37.4% of the population. The nation has a rich religious composition, with Christianity and Islam being the most prominent faiths.

63.1% of the population identifies as Christian.
41.2% of the population is aged between 0-14 years.
4.45 children are born per woman (2025).
26.4% of people were below the national poverty line (2018).
78.2% literacy rate (2022).

Economy

Tanzania's economy is classified as an emerging lower middle-income economy, primarily driven by agriculture, which constitutes 23.4% of GDP in 2024, alongside growing contributions from tourism and mining. The country has shown resilience in recovering from the pandemic, with GDP growth projected at 5.5% for 2024. However, it still grapples with challenges such as poverty reduction and economic disparities.

$246.706 billion GDP (PPP) projected for 2024.
2.6% unemployment rate (2024).
$78.78 billion GDP at official exchange rates (2024).
53.1% of GDP is from household consumption (2024).
32.983 million people in the labor force (2024).

Government

The United Republic of Tanzania is a presidential republic with a unicameral National Assembly known as Bunge. It has a rich political history marked by the merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964. The current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, took office in 2021 and has since been re-elected. The governance model has faced criticisms regarding electoral fairness and human rights practices.

Capital city is Dodoma.
403 seats in the National Assembly.
18 years is the legal voting age.
The government operates under a universal suffrage system.
Citizenship can only be obtained by descent.

Military and Security

Tanzania's military, the Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF), comprises the land forces, naval forces, and air force, with approximately 25,000 active personnel. The country maintains a proactive stance in regional peacekeeping and security issues, particularly concerning maritime piracy and insurgencies in neighboring nations.

1.3% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2024).
520 troops deployed in the Central African Republic for peacekeeping (2025).
Military service is voluntary for individuals aged 18-25.
The military primarily uses equipment from British, Chinese, and Russian origins.
Engages in training and multinational exercises with various foreign militaries.

Energy

Tanzania is working toward increasing its energy access, with 45.8% of the total population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country's energy generation primarily relies on fossil fuels and hydroelectric sources. Tanzania is rich in natural gas resources, with over 6.513 billion cubic meters in proven reserves.

1.818 million kW of installed electricity capacity (2023).
74.5% of energy capacity comes from fossil fuels (2023).
Total energy consumption per capita is 4.091 million Btu (2023).
740,000 metric tons of coal consumed (2023).
85,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023).

Environment

Tanzania faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. The country actively participates in several international environmental agreements aimed at combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

44.6% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
96.27 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022).
Generates 9.277 million tons of municipal solid waste annually (2024).
17.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023).
Active participation in global agreements, including the Paris Agreement.

Transportation

Tanzania's transport infrastructure includes a mix of air, rail, and maritime services, with 206 airports and an extensive railway network. The nation has 8 major ports that facilitate trade and transport within the region.

4,097 km of total railway (2022).
381 vessels in its merchant marine (2023).
Ports include Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar.
206 airports with significant civil aircraft operations (2025).
Railways utilize both narrow gauge and standard gauge systems.

Communications

Tanzania's communications sector is expanding rapidly, with over 86.8 million mobile cellular subscriptions and increasing internet penetration, indicating a growing digital landscape.

29% of the population are internet users (2023).
2.39 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
76,000 fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023).
About 45 TV stations and 196 radio stations operate within the country.
The mobile cellular subscription rate stands at 127 per 100 inhabitants (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	69,145,464	2025 estimate
Area	947,300 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$246.706 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	4.091 million Btu	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	33.45 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.6%	2024 estimate
Percentage Urban Population	37.4%	2023 estimate
Electricity Access	45.8%	2022 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.3% of GDP	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.8 years	2024 estimate