Country Profile: Tanzania

Tanzania, located in Eastern Africa along the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its significant biodiversity, rich history, and cultural heritage. It is the largest and most populous country in East Africa, with a population projected at over 69 million in 2025. The economy is classified as an emerging lower middle-income economy, bolstered by tourism and various natural resources. Governed as a presidential republic, Tanzania has a history of political stability, despite facing challenges related to governance and electoral processes.

Geography

Tanzania is strategically located between Kenya and Mozambique, boasting an area of approximately 947,300 square kilometers, including the notable islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar. The country's diverse geography consists of coastal plains, central plateaus, and highlands, with Mount Kilimanjaro being the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters. Its climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands.

947,300 sq km - Total area, more than six times the size of Georgia.
1,424 km - Length of coastline.
44.6% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
50.1% - Forest cover (2023).
61,500 sq km - Surface area of water bodies.

People and Society

Tanzania's estimated population of 69,145,464 in 2025 is characterized by significant ethnolinguistic diversity, predominantly consisting of over 130 African tribes, with Swahili serving as the official language. The society is largely religious, with a majority of Christians and Muslims residing in different regions, notably the predominantly Muslim Zanzibar. The population exhibits a youthful demographic, with a median age of 18.8 years.

41.2% - Population aged 0-14 years (2025).
37.4% - Urban population (2023).
70.8 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024).
28.4 - Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births (2025).
78.2% - Literacy rate (2022).

Economy

Tanzania's economy is defined as an emerging lower middle-income economy, rich in natural resources and tourism potential. The GDP in purchasing power parity is projected at $246.706 billion in 2024, with a healthy growth rate of 5.5%. The economic landscape includes agriculture, mining, and services, with agriculture alone contributing 23.4% to the GDP.

$78.78 billion - GDP at official exchange rate (2024).
2.6% - Unemployment rate (2024).
5.5% - Projected real GDP growth rate (2024).
26.4% - Population living below the poverty line (2018).
$3,700 - Real GDP per capita (2024).

Government

Tanzania operates as a presidential republic, with the capital located in Dodoma. The political structure features a unicameral National Assembly, and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has been in power since its formation in 1977. Recent elections have shown substantial victories for the ruling party, though allegations of electoral irregularities persist.

Samia Suluhu HASSAN - Current President since 2021.
403 - Total seats in the National Assembly.
18 years - Minimum voting age.

Military and Security

The Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF) comprises land, naval, and air forces, engaging in various regional peacekeeping missions. The military budget is approximately 1.3% of GDP, reflecting the country's commitment to security amid challenges such as piracy and insurgency threats from groups like ISIS.

25,000 - Active military personnel (2025).
1.3% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).
520 - Troops deployed in international missions (2025).

Energy

Tanzania's energy sector is primarily reliant on fossil fuels and hydroelectric power. With a total installed generating capacity of 1.818 million kW, the country is making strides towards improving electrification, particularly in urban areas where access is at 74.7%.

45.8% - Electrification of the total population (2022).
74.5% - Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity (2023).
9.109 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023).

Environment

Tanzania faces several environmental challenges, such as deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. The country is actively engaged in international environmental agreements addressing issues like climate change and the protection of endangered species.

96.27 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022).
9.277 million tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024).

Transportation

Tanzania is equipped with various transportation infrastructures, including 206 airports and a railway network of 4,097 kilometers. The major ports, such as Dar Es Salaam and Tanga, facilitate trade across the Indian Ocean.

206 - Number of airports (2025).
4,097 km - Total length of railways (2022).
381 - Size of the merchant marine fleet (2023).

Communications

The communication landscape of Tanzania includes a blend of fixed and mobile services, with mobile subscriptions exceeding 86 million. Internet accessibility is growing, although only 29% of the population is currently online.

86.8 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
29% - Internet penetration rate (2023).
1.66 million - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	69,145,464 (2025 est.)
Area	947,300 sq km
GDP	$78.78 billion (2024 est.)	Official exchange rate
Energy Consumption	4.091 million Btu/person (2023)
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.)
Urban Population	37.4% (2023)
Military Expenditures	1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)