Country Profile: Tanzania

Tanzania, located in Eastern Africa, is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, and is rich in natural resources and diverse cultural heritage. With a population of approximately 67.5 million, it is the largest East African nation that showcases a range of ethnic groups and languages, primarily Kiswahili and English. The economy is classified as an emerging lower middle-income, driven largely by agriculture, tourism, and mining, and has shown resilience with a steady GDP growth rate. Governed as a presidential republic, Tanzania maintains a multi-party political system, albeit dominated by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

Geography

Tanzania's geographic landscape varies from tropical coastal lowlands to temperate highlands, hosting notable landmarks such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. The country covers an area of approximately 947,300 square kilometers, featuring diverse terrains which include plains, plateaus, and significant lakes like Victoria and Tanganyika. The natural resources are plentiful, including gold, diamonds, and natural gas, contributing to its economic potential.

947,300 sq km - Total area.
1,424 km - Length of coastline.
5,895 m - Height of Mount Kilimanjaro.
44.6% - Percentage of agricultural land (2023).
3 - Major lakes bordering Tanzania: Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi.

People and Society

Tanzania is home to over 67 million people, characterized by a youthful demographic with a median age of 19.1 years. The population is predominantly African, with 99% of the mainland population being of African descent, mainly Bantu. The nation is culturally diverse, with 63.1% identifying as Christian and 34.1% as Muslim. Urbanization is gradually increasing, with approximately 37.4% of the population residing in urban areas.

67,462,121 - Total population (2024 estimate).
78.2% - Literacy rate (2022 estimate).
32.5 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2024 estimate).
70.8 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
41.2% - Proportion of the population aged 0-14 years.
26.4% - Percentage of the population below the poverty line (2018 estimate).

Economy

Tanzania's economy is a resource-rich, emerging lower middle-income economy centered on agriculture, with a growing tourism sector. The estimated GDP per capita is around $3,700, with steady growth projected at 5.5% in 2024. While the economy is gradually recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, various socio-economic challenges persist, including gender-based violence and labor force disruptions.

$246.706 billion - Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
5.5% - Projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
28.4% - Services sector's contribution to GDP (2024).
32.983 million - Estimated labor force (2024).
2.6% - Unemployment rate (2024).
26.2% - Household spending on food (2023 estimate).

Government

Tanzania is a presidential republic, with the President serving as both head of state and government. The capital city is Dodoma, and the political system allows for universal suffrage starting at age 18. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has historically dominated Tanzanian politics since the country's first multi-party elections in 1995. Despite some claims of electoral irregularities, the CCM continues to shape the legislative landscape through the National Assembly.

Dodoma - Capital city.
403 - Seats in the National Assembly.
18 years - Age of suffrage.
1.3% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024).
Samia Suluhu HASSAN - Current President since 2021.

Military and Security

The Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) include land, naval, and air forces, with military expenditures estimated at 1.3% of GDP. The country focuses on domestic security challenges such as piracy, smuggling, and terrorism. Tanzania participates in various regional peacekeeping missions and has experienced deployments in Central Africa and Mozambique to combat insurgency threats.

25,000 - Approximate active military personnel (2025).
520 - Military deployments in Central African Republic.
1.3% - Military expenditure relative to GDP (2024).
18-25 years - Age range for voluntary military service.

Energy

Tanzania's energy landscape is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with 74.5% of its electricity generation capacity derived from these sources. Despite challenges in electrification, especially in rural areas where access is only 36%, efforts are being made to enhance energy infrastructure and increase renewable energy capacities.

1.818 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
45.8% - Total electrification rate (2022).
2.341 million metric tons - Coal production (2023).
2.016 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023).

Environment

Tanzania faces several environmental challenges, including water pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. The government is party to various international environmental agreements but continues to grapple with issues related to waste management and habitat conservation.

96.27 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022).
12.3% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
17.707 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023).

Transportation

Tanzania boasts a significant transportation network with 4,097 km of railways and 206 airports. The road network and ports facilitate both domestic and international trade, with key ports including Dar Es Salaam and Tanga.

4,097 km - Total railway tracks (2022).
206 - Airports (2025).
381 - Merchant marine vessels (2023).
8 - Total number of ports (2024).

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Tanzania has been rapidly expanding, with approximately 70.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions. Internet penetration stands at 29% of the population, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and access to information.

70.2 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
1.66 million - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
29% - Percentage of the population with internet access (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	67,462,121	2024 estimate
Area	947,300 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$246.706 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption	4.091 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	32.5 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.6%	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	78.2%	2022 estimate
Life Expectancy	70.8 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	37.4%	2023 estimate
Agricultural Land	44.6%	2023 estimate