2016 Edition

Background

Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule ended in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. The formation of a government of national unity between Zanzibar's two leading parties succeeded in minimizing electoral tension in 2010.

Area

947,300 sq km 885,800 sq km 61,500 sq km includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar

land

885,800 sq km

note

includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar

total

947,300 sq km

water

61,500 sq km

Area - comparative

more than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California

Climate

varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands

Coastline

1,424 km

Elevation

1,018 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m (highest point in Africa)

elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

Kilimanjaro 5,895 m (highest point in Africa)

mean elevation

1,018 m

Environment - current issues

soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

6 00 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note

Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only two mountains on the continent that has glaciers (the other is Mount Kenya); bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest

Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only two mountains on the continent that has glaciers (the other is Mount Kenya); bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent

Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest

Irrigated land

1,840 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

4,161 km Burundi 589 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km, Kenya 775 km, Malawi 512 km, Mozambique 840 km, Rwanda 222 km, Uganda 391 km, Zambia 353 km

border countries (8)

Burundi 589 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km, Kenya 775 km, Malawi 512 km, Mozambique 840 km, Rwanda 222 km, Uganda 391 km, Zambia 353 km

total

4,161 km

Land use

43.7% arable land 14.3%; permanent crops 2.3%; permanent pasture 27.1% 37.3% 19% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

43.7%

forest

37.3%

other

19% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (elev. 2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru

volcanism

limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (elev. 2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru

Natural resources

hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel

Terrain

plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south

Age structure

44.06% (male 11,678,349/female 11,444,708) 19.71% (male 5,173,239/female 5,169,214) 29.74% (male 7,840,941/female 7,767,797) 3.5% (male 802,760/female 1,034,151) 2.99% (male 668,102/female 903,465) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

44.06% (male 11,678,349/female 11,444,708)

15-24 years

19.71% (male 5,173,239/female 5,169,214)

25-54 years

29.74% (male 7,840,941/female 7,767,797)

55-64 years

3.5% (male 802,760/female 1,034,151)

65 years and over

2.99% (male 668,102/female 903,465) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

36 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

2,815,085 21% data represent children ages 5-17 and does not include Zanzibar (2006 est.)

note

data represent children ages 5-17 and does not include Zanzibar (2006 est.)

percentage

21%

total number

2,815,085

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

13.6% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.4% (2009/10)

Death rate

7.8 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania’s youthful population – about two-thirds of the population is under 25 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country’s nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants – problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortality For Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania.

Dependency ratios

93.8% 87.6% 6.2% 16.1% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.2%

potential support ratio

16.1% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

93.8%

youth dependency ratio

87.6%

Drinking water source

urban: 77.2% of population rural: 45.5% of population total: 55.6% of population urban: 22.1% of population rural: 56% of population total: 46.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

56% of population

total

46.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

22.1% of population

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.69% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

35,700 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,385,800 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

41.2 deaths/1,000 live births 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

39.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

43.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

41.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

note

Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

Life expectancy at birth

62.2 years 60.8 years 63.6 years (2016 est.)

female

63.6 years (2016 est.)

male

60.8 years

total population

62.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic 70.6% 75.9% 65.4% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic

female

65.4% (2015 est.)

male

75.9%

total population

70.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever schistosomiasis and leptospirosis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact diseases

schistosomiasis and leptospirosis

Major urban areas - population

DAR ES SALAAM (capital) 5.116 million; Mwanza 838,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

398 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

17.6 years 17.3 years 17.9 years (2016 est.)

female

17.9 years (2016 est.)

male

17.3 years

total

17.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.6 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Tanzanian(s) Tanzanian

adjective

Tanzanian

noun

Tanzanian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.9% (2014)

Physicians density

0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

52,482,726 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2016 est.)

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.77% (2016 est.)

Religions

Christian 61.4%, Muslim 35.2%, folk religion 1.8%, other 0.2%, unaffiliated 1.4% Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim (2010 est.)

note

Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 31.3% of population rural: 8.3% of population total: 15.6% of population urban: 68.7% of population rural: 91.7% of population total: 84.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

91.7% of population

total

84.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

68.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 8 years 8 years (2013)

female

8 years (2013)

male

8 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.78 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.83 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.8% 4.5% 7.2% (2013 est.)

female

7.2% (2013 est.)

male

4.5%

total

5.8%

Urbanization

31.6% of total population (2015) 5.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

31.6% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

30 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Tabora, Tanga

Capital

Dodoma; note - officially changed in 1996; serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly; de facto the capital remains in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation 6 48 S, 39 17 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

6 48 S, 39 17 E

name

Dodoma; note - officially changed in 1996; serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly; de facto the capital remains in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; amended many times, last in 2012; note - in 2012, the Tanzania Constitutional Review Commission was formed, and in June 2013, completed the first draft of a new constitution and a second version in December; a 640-member Constituent Assembly, formed in February 2014, passed a new constitution draft in October; a national referendum planned for April 2015 has been postponed (2016)

Country name

United Republic of Tanzania Tanzania Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Tanzania United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964

conventional long form

United Republic of Tanzania

conventional short form

Tanzania

former

United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

local long form

Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania

local short form

Tanzania

note

the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Mark Bradley CHILDRESS (since 22 May 2014) 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam [255] (22) 229-4000 [255] (22) 229-4970 or 4971

chief of mission

Ambassador Mark Bradley CHILDRESS (since 22 May 2014)

embassy

686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam

FAX

[255] (22) 229-4970 or 4971

mailing address

P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam

telephone

[255] (22) 229-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Wilson MASILINGI (since 17 September 2015) 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 939-6125 [1] (202) 797-7408

chancery

1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Wilson MASILINGI (since 17 September 2015)

FAX

[1] (202) 797-7408

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6125

Executive branch

President John MAGUFULI (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President John MAGUFULI, Dr. (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government busines in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2020); prime minister appointed by the president John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5% Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; election held on 25 October 2015 was annulled by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission and rerun on 20 March 2016; President Ali Mohamed SHEIN reelected; percent of vote - Ali Mohamed SHEIN 91.4%, Hamad Rashid MOHAMED 3%, other 5.6%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly

chief of state

President John MAGUFULI (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2020); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

President John MAGUFULI, Dr. (since 5 November 2015); Vice President Samia SULUHU (since 5 November 2015); note - Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government busines in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet

note

Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; election held on 25 October 2015 was annulled by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission and rerun on 20 March 2016; President Ali Mohamed SHEIN reelected; percent of vote - Ali Mohamed SHEIN 91.4%, Hamad Rashid MOHAMED 3%, other 5.6%

Flag description

divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue; the banner combines colors found on the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; green represents the natural vegetation of the country, gold its rich mineral deposits, black the native Swahili people, and blue the country's many lakes and rivers, as well as the Indian Ocean

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent on 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent on 10 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar on 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, EAC, EADB, EITI, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices) Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 60 but can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges may serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts

highest court(s)

Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 60 but can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges may serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts

Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts

Legal system

English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (357 seats; 239 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 102 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve a 5-year term); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (81 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 5 seats reserved for government appointed regional commissioners, and 1 seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term) Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives elections last held on 25 October 2015 (next National Assembly election to be held in October 2020; next Zanzibar election NA; note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; no date for repoll announced as of early November) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Zanzibar House of Representatives - election annulled

description

unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (357 seats; 239 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 102 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve a 5-year term); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (81 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 5 seats reserved for government appointed regional commissioners, and 1 seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term)

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

elections

Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives elections last held on 25 October 2015 (next National Assembly election to be held in October 2020; next Zanzibar election NA; note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; no date for repoll announced as of early November)

National anthem

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa) collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia, but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

lyrics/music

collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

name

"Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)

note

adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia, but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

National holiday

Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)

National symbol(s)

Uhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors: green, yellow, blue, black

Uhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors

green, yellow, blue, black

Political parties and leaders

Civic United Front or CUF (Chama Cha Wananchi [Seif Shariff HAMAD, Secretary General] National Convention for Construction and Reform - Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATCA] Party of Democracy and Development or CHADEMA (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) [Freeman MBOWE] Revolutionary Party or CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) [John MAGUFULI] Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA] United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO] in March 2014, four opposition parties (CUF, CHADEMA, NCCR-Mageuzi, and the National League for Democracy) united to form Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (Coalition for the People's Constituion) or UKAWA; during local elections held in October, 2014, UKAWA entered one candidate representing the three parties united in the coalition

Note

in March 2014, four opposition parties (CUF, CHADEMA, NCCR-Mageuzi, and the National League for Democracy) united to form Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (Coalition for the People's Constituion) or UKAWA; during local elections held in October, 2014, UKAWA entered one candidate representing the three parties united in the coalition

Political pressure groups and leaders

Economic and Social Research Foundation or ESRF Free Zanzibar Tanzania Media Women's Association or TAMWA Tanzania Private Sector Foundation or TPSF Twaweza

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

$6.022 billion $7.34 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$7.34 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$6.022 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.25% (31 December 2010) 3.7% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16.1% (31 December 2015 est.) 16.26% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.886 billion (2015 est.) -$4.583 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$15.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $14.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.6 (2007) 34.6 (2000)

Economy - overview

Tanzania is one of the world's poorest economies in terms of per capita income, but has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism. GDP growth in 2009-15 was an impressive 6-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining. The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for more than one-quarter of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs about 80% of the work force; agriculture accounts for 7% of government expenditures. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular. The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, that provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact grant, worth $698 million, and, in December 2014, the Millennium Challenge Corporation selected Tanzania for a second Compact. In late 2014, a highly publicized scandal in the energy sector involving senior Tanzanian officials resulted in international donors freezing nearly $500 million in direct budget support to the government. The Tanzanian shilling weakened in 2015 because of lower gold prices, election-related political risk, and outflows from emerging market currencies generally.

Exchange rates

Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 1,989.7 (2015 est.) 1,654 (2014 est.) 1,654 (2013 est.) 1,583 (2012 est.) 1,572.1 (2011 est.)

Exports

$5.709 billion (2015 est.) $5.322 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton

Exports - partners

India 21.4%, China 8.1%, Japan 5.1%, Kenya 4.6%, Belgium 4.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

61.2% 13.7% 34.5% -4.7% 21.6% -26.3% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.6%

government consumption

13.7%

household consumption

61.2%

imports of goods and services

-26.3% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

34.5%

investment in inventories

-4.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

25.6% 26.5% 47.4% (2015 est.)

agriculture

25.6%

industry

26.5%

services

47.4% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,900 (2015 est.) $2,800 (2014 est.) $2,600 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2015 est.) 7% (2014 est.) 7.3% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.9 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$138.5 billion (2015 est.) $129.4 billion (2014 est.) $121 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

20.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 19.7% of GDP (2014 est.) 19.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.8% 29.6% (2007)

highest 10%

29.6% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$9.843 billion (2015 est.) $10.92 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil

Imports - partners

China 34.6%, India 13.5%, South Africa 4.7%, UAE 4.4%, Kenya 4.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

11.6% (2015 est.)

Industries

agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); mining (diamonds, gold, and iron), salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.6% (2015 est.) 6.1% (2014 est.)

Labor force

26.11 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

80% 20% (2002 est.)

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (2002 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.803 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.539 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.264 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

67.9% (2011 est.)

Public debt

34.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 31.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.073 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.39 billion (31 December 2014 est.) excludes gold

note

excludes gold

Stock of broad money

$8.072 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $7.533 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$9.484 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $9.308 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.457 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

13.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

10 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

5 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

33.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

66.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

60 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.2 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

6.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

37,400,000 24% 71% 4% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

4% (2013)

electrification - total population

24%

electrification - urban areas

71%

population without electricity

37,400,000

Natural gas - consumption

550 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

550 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

58,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

55,380 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

a state-owned TV station and multiple privately owned TV stations; state-owned national radio station supplemented by more than 40 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.tz

Internet users

2.734 million 5.4% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

5.4% (July 2015 est.)

total

2.734 million

Telephone system

telecommunications services are marginal; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and exceeds 75 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital country code - 255; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and exceeds 75 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital

general assessment

telecommunications services are marginal; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service

international

country code - 255; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

142,819 less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

142,819

Telephones - mobile cellular

39.666 million 78 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

78 (July 2015 est.)

total

39.666 million

Airports

166 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

33 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

24

914 to 1,523 m

98

over 3,047 m

1

total

156

under 914 m

33 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5H (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 6, cargo 66, carrier 4, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3 42 (Japan 1, Romania 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Syria 23, Turkey 13, UAE 3) 3 (Panama 2, UK 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 6, cargo 66, carrier 4, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned

42 (Japan 1, Romania 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Syria 23, Turkey 13, UAE 3)

registered in other countries

3 (Panama 2, UK 1) (2010)

total

94

National air transport system

1,239,707 2,337,440 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2,337,440 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,239,707

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

17

number of registered air carriers

5

Pipelines

gas 311 km; oil 891 km; refined products 8 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar

major seaport(s)

Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar

Railways

4,567 km 1,860 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,707 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

1,860 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,707 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

4,567 km

Roadways

86,472 km 7,092 km 79,380 km (2010)

paved

7,092 km

total

86,472 km

unpaved

79,380 km (2010)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports that shipping in territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean remain at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, especially as Somali-based pirates extend their activities south; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Waterways

(Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable) (2011)

Military branches

Tanzania People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007)

Tanzania People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ)

Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007)

Military expenditures

1.13% of GDP (2012) 1.12% of GDP (2011) 1.13% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake

Illicit drugs

targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline, through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran into East Asia

Refugees and internally displaced persons

179,773 (Burundi); 62,505 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

179,773 (Burundi); 62,505 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Tanzania is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the exploitation of young girls in domestic servitude continues to be Tanzania’s largest human trafficking problem; Tanzanian boys are subject to forced labor mainly on farms but also in mines and quarries, in the informal commercial sector, in factories, in the sex trade, and possibly on small fishing boats; Tanzanian children and adults are subjected to domestic servitude, other forms of forced labor, and sex trafficking in other African countries, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking and is usually facilitated by friends, family members, or intermediaries with false offers of education or legitimate jobs; trafficking victims from Burundi, Kenya, South Asia, and Yemen are forced to work in Tanzania’s agricultural, mining, and domestic service sectors or may be sex trafficked Tier 2 Watch List – Tanzania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Tanzania was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government adopted a three-year national action plan and implementing regulations for the 2008 anti-trafficking law; authorities somewhat increased their number of trafficking investigations and prosecutions and convicted one offender, but the penalty was a fine in lieu of prison, which was inadequate given the severity of the crime; the government did not operate any shelters for victims and relied on NGOs to provide protective services (2015)

current situation

Tanzania is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the exploitation of young girls in domestic servitude continues to be Tanzania’s largest human trafficking problem; Tanzanian boys are subject to forced labor mainly on farms but also in mines and quarries, in the informal commercial sector, in factories, in the sex trade, and possibly on small fishing boats; Tanzanian children and adults are subjected to domestic servitude, other forms of forced labor, and sex trafficking in other African countries, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking and is usually facilitated by friends, family members, or intermediaries with false offers of education or legitimate jobs; trafficking victims from Burundi, Kenya, South Asia, and Yemen are forced to work in Tanzania’s agricultural, mining, and domestic service sectors or may be sex trafficked

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Tanzania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, Tanzania was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government adopted a three-year national action plan and implementing regulations for the 2008 anti-trafficking law; authorities somewhat increased their number of trafficking investigations and prosecutions and convicted one offender, but the penalty was a fine in lieu of prison, which was inadequate given the severity of the crime; the government did not operate any shelters for victims and relied on NGOs to provide protective services (2015)