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Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964. In 1995, the country held its first democratic elections since the 1970s. Zanzibar maintains semi-autonomy and participates in national elections; popular political opposition on the isles led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.
Key indicators
- Area
- 947,300 km2
- Population
- 62,092,761 (July 2021 est.)
- Government type
- presidential republic
- 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
- GDP
- $62.41 billion (2020 est.)
- Growth rate
- 2% (2020 est.)
- HDI
- N/A
- Capital
- Dar es Salaam (administrative capital), Dodoma (legislative capital)
Macroeconomic indicators
Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. 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 slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. 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. 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, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania’s eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the governments use of a controversial cybercrime bill.
Under the new government elected in 2015, Tanzania has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors.
Source: The CIA World Factbook - Economic Overview
IMF Statistics:
Subject descriptor | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross domestic product, constant prices Percent change (Units) |
4.838 |
4.680 |
5.023 |
5.503 |
5.999 |
Gross domestic product, current prices Percent change (Billions) |
67.964 |
74.128 |
79.447 |
79.605 |
86.126 |
Gross domestic product per capita, current prices Percent change (Units) |
1,137.865 |
1,205.135 |
1,254.229 |
1,220.356 |
1,282.112 |
Inflation, average consumer prices Percent change (Units) |
3.690 |
4.350 |
4.036 |
4.038 |
4.026 |
Volume of imports of goods and services Percent change (Units) |
9.012 |
19.125 |
10.506 |
1.392 |
2.921 |
Volume of exports of goods and services Percent change (Units) |
1.842 |
4.047 |
5.531 |
5.444 |
7.313 |
Unemployment rate Percent change (Units) |
|||||
Current account balance Percent change (Billions) |
-2.614 |
-4.135 |
-4.207 |
-3.327 |
-3.066 |
Current account balance Percent change (Units) |
-3.846 |
-5.578 |
-5.296 |
-4.180 |
-3.560 |
Source: IMF Statistics - Tanzania
Relationships with Luxembourg
Existing conventions and agreements
Non double taxation agreement
In order to promote international economic and financial relations in the interest of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg government negotiates bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on fortune with third countries.
None
Air Services agreement
None
Further information
Foreign Trade
The Statec Foreign Trade statistics provide information on the trade of goods - by product and by country. This information is collected respectively through the INTRASTAT declaration and on the basis of customs documents.
You can see the statistics on the website of the Statec.
Contact points in Tanzania
Luxembourg is represented by Ambassade Royale des Pays-Bas à Dar es Salam
Competent post for consular affairs Ambassade du Royaume de Belgique à Dar es Salam
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg
Country risk as defined by Office du Ducroire for Tanzania
Ducroire is the only credit insurer covering open account deals in over 200 countries. A rating on a scale from 1 to 7 shows the intensity of the political risk. Category 1 comprises countries with the lowest political risk and category 7 countries with the highest. Macroeconomics experts also assess the repayment climate for all buyers in a country.
Link: Ducroire Office - Country Risk for Tanzania