Topic: Photos of Samoa

Topic: Introduction
Background: The first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, converting most of the population. In the 1850s, Apia became a center for Pacific trading and hosted an American commercial agent and British and German consuls. In 1892, American traders convinced the Samoan king to align his country’s date with the US, moving to the east of the International Date Line.

Following the death of the Samoan king in 1841, rival families competed for his titles, devolving into civil war in 1886 with factions getting support from either Germany, the UK, or the US. All three countries sent warships to Apia in 1889, presaging a larger war, but a cyclone destroyed the ships and Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king. Upon LAUPEPA’s death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. The war ended in 1899 and the Western powers abolished the monarchy, giving the western Samoan islands to Germany and the eastern Samoan islands to the US. The UK abandoned claims in Samoa and received former German territory in the Solomon Islands.

The Mau, a non-violent popular movement to advocate for Samoan independence, formed in 1908. New Zealand annexed Samoa in 1914 after the outbreak of World War I. Opposition to New Zealand’s rule quickly grew. In 1918, a New Zealand ship introduced the Spanish flu, infecting 90% of the population and killing more than 20%. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful protestors, killing 11, in an event known as Black Sunday. In 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence as Western Samoa but dropped the “Western” from its name in 1997. The Human Rights Protection Party has dominated politics since 1982, especially under Prime Minister Sailele TUILAEPA, who has been in power since 1998.

In the late 2000s, Samoa began making efforts to align more closely with Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, Samoa changed its driving orientation to the left side of the road, in line with other Commonwealth countries. In 2011, Samoa jumped forward one day - skipping December 30 - by moving to the west side of the International Date Line so that it was one hour ahead of New Zealand and three hours ahead of the east coast of Australia, rather than 23 and 21 hours behind, respectively.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 2,831 sq km

land: 2,821 sq km

water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 403 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Terrain: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation: highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 60.4% (2018 est.)

other: 27.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
Natural hazards: occasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically activeoccasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active
Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
Map description: Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 206,179 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Samoan(s)

adjective: Samoan
Ethnic groups: Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.)

note: data represent the population by country of citizenship
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.)
Religions: Protestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Church of Jesus Christ 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.31% (male 30,825/female 28,900)

15-24 years: 19.61% (male 20,519/female 19,439)

25-54 years: 37.4% (male 39,011/female 37,200)

55-64 years: 7.5% (male 7,780/female 7,505)

65 years and over: 6.18% (2020 est.) (male 5,513/female 7,082)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 73.3

youth dependency ratio: 64.5

elderly dependency ratio: 8.8

potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 25.6 years

male: 25.3 years

female: 26 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.63% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 19.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 36,000 APIA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.6 years (2009 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.19 years

male: 72.28 years

female: 78.25 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 16.6% (2019/20)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 98% of population

total: 98.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 2% of population

total: 1.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.35 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 99.5% of population

total: 99.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 0.5% of population

total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 47.3% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2019/20)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9% (2020)

women married by age 18: 7.4% (2020)

men married by age 18: 2% (2020 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2020)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.1%

male: 99%

female: 99.2% (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9%

male: 24.6%

female: 43.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.56 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.25 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.27 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 60.4% (2018 est.)

other: 27.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 27,399 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 9,864 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2013 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa

conventional short form: Samoa

local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa

local short form: Samoa

former: Western Samoa

etymology: the meaning of Samoa is disputed; some modern explanations are that the "sa" connotes  "sacred" and "moa" indicates "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assertions state that it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; the name, however, may go back to Proto-Polynesian (PPn) times (before 1000 B.C.); a plausible PPn reconstruction has the first syllable as "sa'a" meaning "tribe or people" and "moa" meaning "deep sea or ocean" to convey the meaning "people of the deep sea"
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Apia

geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W

time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name derives from the native village around which the capital was constructed in the 1850s; the village still exists within the larger modern capital
Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June
Constitution: history: several previous (preindependence); latest 1 January 1962

amendments: proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading - provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2020
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata’afa (since 24 May 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice

elections/appointments: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2- term limit); election last held on 4 July 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state, approved by the Legislative Assembly

election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly on 5 July 2017
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (53 seats for 2021-2026 term); members from 51 single-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote, with a minimum 10% representation of women in the Assembly required; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - HRPP 55%, FAST 37%, TSP 3%, independents 5%; seats by party – FAST 30, HRPP 22, independents 1; composition - men 47, women 6, percent of women 11.3%
note - on 29 November 2021, the Election Commissioner added two women seats to parliament, bringing the HRPP’s total from 20 to 22 seats
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the chief of state upon the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally serve until retirement at age 68

subordinate courts: District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village fono or village chief councils
Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi]
Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST [FIAME Naomi Mata'afa]
Tautua Samoa Party or TSP [Afualo Wood Uti SALELE]
International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021)

chancery: 685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196

FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

email address and website:
samoanymission@outlook.com

https://www.un.int/samoa/samoa/embassy-independent-state-samoa-united-states-america

consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa

embassy: 5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia

mailing address: 4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400

telephone: [685] 21-436 (2018)

FAX: [685] 22-030 (2018)

email address and website:
ApiaConsular@state.gov

https://ws.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white, five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation; red stands for courage, blue represents freedom, and white signifies purity

note: similar to the flag of Taiwan
National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (five, five-pointed stars); national colors: red, white, blue
National anthem: name: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)

lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA

note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013.   The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island.   The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014.The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.25 billion (2020 est.)

$1.28 billion (2019 est.)

$1.24 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)

7.1% (2016 est.)

1.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $6,300 (2020 est.)

$6,500 (2019 est.)

$6,300 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $841 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2017 est.)

0.1% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.6% (2017 est.)

services: 66% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: NA

government consumption: NA

investment in fixed capital: NA

investment in inventories: NA

exports of goods and services: 27.2% (2015 est.)

imports of goods and services: -50.5% (2015 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork
Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts
Industrial production growth rate: -1.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 50,700 (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65%

industry: 6%

services: 29% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2017 est.)

5.5% (2016 est.)

NA
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9%

male: 24.6%

female: 43.4% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 20.3% (2013 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.7 (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 237.3 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 276.8 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 49.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

52.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: June 1 - May 31
Current account balance: -$19 million (2017 est.)

-$37 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $310 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: American Samoa 21%, United States 13%, New Zealand 12%, Australia 10%, Tokelau 6%, Taiwan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, fish, fruit juice, coconut oil, beer (2019)
Imports: $430 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$312.6 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: New Zealand 22%, China 16%, Singapore 13%, United States 10%, Australia 9%, South Korea 8%, Fiji 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, iron products, poultry meats, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $133 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$122.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $447.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
Exchange rates: tala (SAT) per US dollar -

2.54712 (2020 est.)

2.65534 (2019 est.)

2.57069 (2018 est.)

2.5609 (2014 est.)

2.3318 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 132 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 122.8 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 45,000 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 48% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 23% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 29% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 2,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,363 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 124,211 (2018)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 63.58 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: development of infrastructure is hampered by geography of remote islands, vulnerable to devastating storms; telecom sector has been inhibited by lack of international connectivity; most households have at least one mobile phone; businesses in the capital area have access to broadband and Wi-Fi; rural islands have some access to Internet and Wi-Fi; liberalized regulatory infrastructure and competition in the mobile market increased coverage and reduced cost; access to submarine cables improved Internet data rates and reliability; Australian companies countering Chinese companies in the acquisition of Pacific operations; importer of broadcasting equipment from USA (2020)

domestic: fixed-line roughly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 64 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 685; landing points for the Tui-Samo, Manatua, SAS, and Southern Cross NEXT submarine cables providing connectivity to Samoa, Fiji, Wallis & Futuna, Cook Islands, Niue, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Los Angeles (US), and Tokelau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned television broadcast stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned radio station; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019)
Internet country code: .ws
Internet users: total: 67,012 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 34% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,692 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.85 (2020 est.) less than 1

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 137,770 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5W
Airports: total: 4 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,150 km (2018)
Merchant marine: total: 12

by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 6 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Apia

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police)
Military - note: Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone


Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, with the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.

Topic: Afghanistanlowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 24% (2008)

Topic: Albanialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: Algerialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)

Topic: American Samoalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Andorralowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Angolalowest 10%: 0.6%

highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)

Topic: Anguillalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Antigua and Barbudalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Argentinalowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 31% (2017 est.)

Topic: Armenialowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2014)

Topic: Arubalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Australialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)

Topic: Austrialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 23.5% (2012 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijanlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 27.4% (2008)

Topic: Bahamas, Thelowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.)

Topic: Bahrainlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bangladeshlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)

Topic: Barbadoslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Belaruslowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 21.9% (2008)

Topic: Belgiumlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Topic: Belizelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Beninlowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 29% (2003)

Topic: Bermudalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bhutanlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 30.6% (2012)

Topic: Bolivialowest 10%: 0.9%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2014 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinalowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 25.8% (2011 est.)

Topic: Botswanalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Brazillowest 10%: 0.8%

highest 10%: 43.4% (2016 est.)

Topic: British Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bruneilowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Bulgarialowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 31.2% (2017)

Topic: Burkina Fasolowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)

Topic: Burmalowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Topic: Burundilowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 28% (2006)

Topic: Cabo Verdelowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)

Topic: Cambodialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.)

Topic: Cameroonlowest 10%: 37.5%

highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)

Topic: Canadalowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2000)

Topic: Cayman Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Central African Republiclowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 33% (2003)

Topic: Chadlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.8% (2003)

Topic: Chilelowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 41.5% (2013 est.)

Topic: Chinalowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 31.4% (2012)

note: data are for urban households only

Topic: Colombialowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: Comoroslowest 10%: 0.9%

highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2006)

Topic: Congo, Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)

Topic: Cook Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Costa Ricalowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirelowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 31.8% (2008)

Topic: Croatialowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 23% (2015 est.)

Topic: Cubalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Cypruslowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 28.8% (2014)

Topic: Czechialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 21.7% (2015 est.)

Topic: Denmarklowest 10%: 9%

highest 10%: 23.4% (2016 est.)

Topic: Djiboutilowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 30.9% (2002)

Topic: Dominicalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Dominican Republiclowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.)

Topic: Ecuadorlowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est.)

note: data are for urban households only

Topic: Egyptlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.6% (2008)

Topic: El Salvadorlowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinealowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Eritrealowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Estonialowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)

Topic: Eswatinilowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.)

Topic: Ethiopialowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 25.6% (2005)

Topic: European Unionlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2016 est.)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Faroe Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Fijilowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.)

Topic: Finlandlowest 10%: 6.7%

highest 10%: 45.2% (2013)

Topic: Francelowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 25.4% (2013)

Topic: French Polynesialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Gabonlowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)

Topic: Gambia, Thelowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)

Topic: Georgialowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)

Topic: Germanylowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 24% (2000)

Topic: Ghanalowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)

Topic: Gibraltarlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Greecelowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 26.7% (2015 est.)

Topic: Greenlandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Grenadalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guamlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guatemalalowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)

Topic: Guernseylowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Guinealowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)

Topic: Guinea-Bissaulowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 28% (2002)

Topic: Guyanalowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)

Topic: Haitilowest 10%: 0.7%

highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)

Topic: Honduraslowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)

Topic: Hong Konglowest 10%: 1.8% NA

highest 10%: 38.1% (2016) NA

Topic: Hungarylowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 22.4% (2015)

Topic: Icelandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Indialowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 29.8% (2011)

Topic: Indonesialowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.2% (2010)

Topic: Iranlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)

Topic: Iraqlowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2007 est.)

Topic: Irelandlowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)

Topic: Isle of Manlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Israellowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2010)

Topic: Italylowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2000)

Topic: Jamaicalowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 29.3% (2015)

Topic: Japanlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2008)

Topic: Jerseylowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Jordanlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstanlowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 23.3% (2016)

Topic: Kenyalowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)

Topic: Kiribatilowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Korea, Northlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Korea, Southlowest 10%: 6.8%

highest 10%: 48.5% (2015 est.)

Topic: Kosovolowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 22% (2015 est.)

Topic: Kuwaitlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Kyrgyzstanlowest 10%: 4.4%

highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Laoslowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)

Topic: Latvialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 26.3% (2015)

Topic: Lebanonlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Lesotholowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 39.4% (2003)

Topic: Liberialowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)

Topic: Libyalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Liechtensteinlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Lithuanialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 28.8% (2015)

Topic: Luxembourglowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)

Topic: Macaulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Madagascarlowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Topic: Malawilowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.)

Topic: Malaysialowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)

Topic: Maldiveslowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)

Topic: Malilowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.8% (2010 est.)

Topic: Maltalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Marshall Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mauritanialowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2000)

Topic: Mauritiuslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mexicolowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 40% (2014)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oflowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Moldovalowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.)

Topic: Monacolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Mongolialowest 10%: 13.7%

highest 10%: 5.7% (2017)

Topic: Montenegrolowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 25.7% (2014 est.)

Topic: Montserratlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Moroccolowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)

Topic: Mozambiquelowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 36.7% (2008)

Topic: Namibialowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 42% (2010)

Topic: Naurulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Nepallowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)

Topic: Netherlandslowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 24.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: New Caledonialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: New Zealandlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Nicaragualowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 47.1% (2014)

Topic: Nigerlowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)

Topic: Nigerialowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 38.2% (2010 est.)

Topic: Niuelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: North Macedonialowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 25% (2015 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Norwaylowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 21.2% (2014)

Topic: Omanlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Pakistanlowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013)

Topic: Palaulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Panamalowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinealowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Topic: Paraguaylowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.)

Topic: Perulowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2010 est.)

Topic: Philippineslowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.)

Topic: Polandlowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 23.9% (2015 est.)

Topic: Portugallowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 25.9% (2015 est.)

Topic: Puerto Ricolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Qatarlowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)

Topic: Romanialowest 10%: 15.3%

highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)

Topic: Russialowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)

Topic: Rwandalowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevislowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Lucialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Samoalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: San Marinolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Sao Tome and Principelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Saudi Arabialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Senegallowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 31.1% (2011)

Topic: Serbialowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 23.8% (2011)

Topic: Seychelleslowest 10%: 4.7%

highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)

Topic: Sierra Leonelowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)

Topic: Singaporelowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 27.5% (2017)

Topic: Slovakialowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 19.3% (2015 est.)

Topic: Slovenialowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 20.1% (2016)

Topic: Solomon Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Somalialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: South Africalowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.)

Topic: Spainlowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 24% (2011)

Topic: Sri Lankalowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)

Topic: Sudanlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 26.7% (2009 est.)

Topic: Surinamelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Swedenlowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 24% (2012)

Topic: Switzerlandlowest 10%: 7.5%

highest 10%: 19% (2007)

Topic: Syrialowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Taiwanlowest 10%: 6.4% (2010)

highest 10%: 40.3% (2010)

Topic: Tajikistanlowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA

highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA

Topic: Tanzanialowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)

Topic: Thailandlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 31.5% (2009 est.)

Topic: Timor-Lestelowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 27% (2007)

Topic: Togolowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 27.1% (2006)

Topic: Tongalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagolowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Tunisialowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)

Topic: Turkeylowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)

Topic: Turkmenistanlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Tuvalulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Ugandalowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.)

Topic: Ukrainelowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 21.6% (2015 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirateslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: United Kingdomlowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 31.1% (2012)

Topic: United Stateslowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)

Topic: Uruguaylowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistanlowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)

Topic: Vanuatulowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Venezuelalowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)

Topic: Vietnamlowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)

Topic: Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: Wallis and Futunalowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Topic: West Banklowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip

Topic: Worldlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.2% (2008 est.)

Topic: Yemenlowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.)

Topic: Zambialowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 47.4% (2010)

Topic: Zimbabwelowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 40.4% (1995)


Topic: Photos of Tanzania

Topic: Introduction
Background: Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous archeological sites, and its diverse cultural heritage reflects the multiple ethnolinguistic groups that live in the country. Its long history of integration into trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean and the African interior led to the development of Swahili as a common language in much of east Africa and the introduction of Islam into the region. A number of independent coastal and island trading posts in what is now Tanzania came under Portuguese control after 1498 when they began to take control of much of the coast and Indian Ocean trade. By 1700, the Sultanate of Oman had become the dominant power in the region after ousting the Portuguese who were also facing a series of local uprisings. During the following hundred years, Zanzibar - an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania - became a hub of Indian Ocean trade, with Arab and Indian traders establishing and consolidating trade routes with communities in mainland Tanzania that contributed to the expansion of the slave trade. Zanzibar briefly become the capital of the Sultanate of Oman before it split into separate Omani and Zanzibar Sultanates in 1856. Beginning in the mid-1800s, European explorers, traders, and Christian missionaries became more active in the region. The Germans eventually established control over mainland Tanzania - which they called Tanganyika - and the British established control over Zanzibar. Tanganyika later came under British administration after the German defeat in World War I. Tanganyika gained independence from Great Britain in 1961, and Zanzibar followed in 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. In Tanganyika, Julius NYERERE, a charismatic and idealistic socialist, established a one-party political system that centralized power and encouraged national self-reliance and rural development. In 1964, a popular uprising overthrew the Sultan in Zanzibar and either killed or expelled many of the Arabs and Indians who had dominated the isles for more than 200 years. Later that year, Tanganyika and Zanzibar combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania, but Zanzibar retained considerable autonomy. Their two ruling parties combined to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in 1977. NYERERE handed over power to Ali Hassan MWINYI in 1985 and remained CCM chair until 1990. Tanzania held its first multi-party elections in 1995, but CCM candidates have continued to dominate politics. Political opposition in Zanzibar has led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. In 2001, 35 people in Zanzibar died when soldiers fired on protestors following the 2000 election. John MAGUFULI won the 2015 presidential election and the CCM won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. He was reelected in 2020 and the CCM increased its majority in an election that was also critiqued by observers. MAGUFULI died in March 2021 while in office and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, Samia Suluhu HASSAN.Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous archeological sites, and its diverse cultural heritage reflects the multiple ethnolinguistic groups that live in the country. Its long history of integration into trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean and the African interior led to the development of Swahili as a common language in much of east Africa and the introduction of Islam into the region. A number of independent coastal and island trading posts in what is now Tanzania came under Portuguese control after 1498 when they began to take control of much of the coast and Indian Ocean trade. By 1700, the Sultanate of Oman had become the dominant power in the region after ousting the Portuguese who were also facing a series of local uprisings. During the following hundred years, Zanzibar - an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania - became a hub of Indian Ocean trade, with Arab and Indian traders establishing and consolidating trade routes with communities in mainland Tanzania that contributed to the expansion of the slave trade. Zanzibar briefly become the capital of the Sultanate of Oman before it split into separate Omani and Zanzibar Sultanates in 1856. Beginning in the mid-1800s, European explorers, traders, and Christian missionaries became more active in the region. The Germans eventually established control over mainland Tanzania - which they called Tanganyika - and the British established control over Zanzibar. Tanganyika later came under British administration after the German defeat in World War I.Tanganyika gained independence from Great Britain in 1961, and Zanzibar followed in 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. In Tanganyika, Julius NYERERE, a charismatic and idealistic socialist, established a one-party political system that centralized power and encouraged national self-reliance and rural development. In 1964, a popular uprising overthrew the Sultan in Zanzibar and either killed or expelled many of the Arabs and Indians who had dominated the isles for more than 200 years. Later that year, Tanganyika and Zanzibar combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania, but Zanzibar retained considerable autonomy. Their two ruling parties combined to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in 1977. NYERERE handed over power to Ali Hassan MWINYI in 1985 and remained CCM chair until 1990. Tanzania held its first multi-party elections in 1995, but CCM candidates have continued to dominate politics. Political opposition in Zanzibar has led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. In 2001, 35 people in Zanzibar died when soldiers fired on protestors following the 2000 election. John MAGUFULI won the 2015 presidential election and the CCM won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. He was reelected in 2020 and the CCM increased its majority in an election that was also critiqued by observers. MAGUFULI died in March 2021 while in office and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, Samia Suluhu HASSAN.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 947,300 sq km

land: 885,800 sq km

water: 61,500 sq km

note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Area - comparative: more than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 4,161 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
Coastline: 1,424 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
Elevation: highest point: Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa) 5,895 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,018 m
Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones (including tanzanite, found only in Tanzania), gold, natural gas, nickel
Land use: agricultural land: 43.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 14.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 37.3% (2018 est.)

other: 19% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,840 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490

Salt water lake(s): Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Population distribution: the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; droughtvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meruflooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; droughtvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru
Geography - note: Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya [in Kenya] and the Ruwenzori Mountains [on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border]); Tanzania is 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
Map description: Tanzania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.Tanzania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 63,852,892 (2022 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s)

adjective: Tanzanian
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
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; 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

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Christian 63.1%, Muslim 34.1%, folk religion 1.1%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified 1.6% (2020 est.)

note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim
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 mortalityFor 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.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 mortalityFor 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.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.7% (male 12,632,772/female 12,369,115)

15-24 years: 20.39% (male 5,988,208/female 5,948,134)

25-54 years: 30.31% (male 8,903,629/female 8,844,180)

55-64 years: 3.52% (male 954,251/female 1,107,717)

65 years and over: 3.08% (2020 est.) (male 747,934/female 1,056,905)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 85.9

youth dependency ratio: 81

elderly dependency ratio: 4.9

potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 18.2 years

male: 17.9 years

female: 18.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.78% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 33.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 36.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 4.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 262,000 Dodoma (legislative capital) (2018), 7.405 million DAR ES SALAAM (administrative capital), 1.245 million Mwanza, 766,000 Zanzibar (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.8 years (2015/16 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 524 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.19 years

male: 68.42 years

female: 72.02 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.39 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 38.4% (2015/16)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.1% of population

rural: 59.4% of population

total: 72% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population

rural: 40.6% of population

total: 28% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density: 0.7 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 89.4% of population

rural: 29.2% of population

total: 50.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 10.6% of population

rural: 70.8% of population

total: 49.6% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.7% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.7 million (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 32,000 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.4% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 14.6% (2018)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.2% (2016)

women married by age 18: 30.5% (2016)

men married by age 18: 3.9% (2016 est.)
Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2020)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic

total population: 77.9%

male: 83.2%

female: 73.1% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years

male: 9 years

female: 9 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9%

male: 3.1%

female: 4.6% (2014 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water polution; improper management of liquid waste; indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fuel wood or charcoal for cooking and heating is a large environmental health issue; soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory; loss of biodiversity; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 25.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 11.97 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 59.08 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
Land use: agricultural land: 43.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 14.3% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 37.3% (2018 est.)

other: 19% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 36.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 4.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.19% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in staple food production - about 437,000 people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance between November 2021 and April 2022, mainly located in northeastern Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions, reflecting a reduced “Vuli” harvest due to poor rains (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,276,995 tons (2012 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490

Salt water lake(s): Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 527 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 4.632 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 96.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania

conventional short form: Tanzania

local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania

local short form: Tanzania

former: German East Africa, Trust Territory of Tanganyika, Republic of Tanganyika, People's Republic of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

etymology: 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
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Dar es Salaam (de facto administrative capital), Dodoma (national capital); note - Dodoma, designated the national capital in 1996, serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly and is thus the legislative capital; Dar es Salaam (the original national capital) remains the de facto capital, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation

geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E

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

etymology: Dar es Salaam was the name given by Majid bin Said, the first sultan of Zanzibar, to the new city he founded on the Indian Ocean coast; the Arabic name is commonly translated as "abode/home of peace"; Dodoma, in the native Gogo language, means "it has sunk"; supposedly, one day during the rainy season, an elephant drowned in the area; the villagers in that place were so struck by what had occurred, that ever since the locale has been referred to as the place where "it (the elephant) sunk"
Administrative divisions: 31 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, Songwe, Tabora, Tanga
Independence: 26 April 1964 (Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar); 29 October 1964 (renamed United Republic of Tanzania); notable earlier dates: 9 December 1961 (Tanganyika became independent from UK-administered UN trusteeship); 10 December 1963 (Zanzibar became independent from UK)
National holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; note - progress enacting a new constitution drafted in 2014 by the Constituent Assembly has stalled

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles including those on sovereignty of the United Republic, the authorities and powers of the government, the president, the Assembly, and the High Court requires two-thirds majority vote of the mainland Assembly membership and of the Zanzibar House of Representatives membership; House of Representatives approval of other amendments is not required; amended several times, last in 2017 (2021)
Legal system: English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: 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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - President John MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021; vice president Philip MPANGO; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - President John MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021; vice president (vacant); 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 business in the National Assembly, and is head of the Cabinet

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

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 28 October, 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5% (2020)

note: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; elections were held on 28 October, 2020 and CCM candidate Hussein MWINYI won with 76 percent of the vote followed by ACT-Wazalendo candidate Maalim Seif SHARIF with 19 percent of the vote
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (393 seats; 264 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 113 women indirectly 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 (82 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 20 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 1 seat for the House speaker, and 1 ex-officio seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term)

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 either October 2020 or March 2021); note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; repoll held on 20 March 2016

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CCM 55%, Chadema 31.8%, CUF 8.6%, other 4.6%; seats by party - CCM 253, Chadema 70, CUF 42, other 2; composition as of September 2018 - men 245, women 145, percent of women 37.2%

Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: 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 serve until mandatory retirement at age 60, but terms can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change and Transparency (Wazalendo) or ACT [Zitto KABWE]
Alliance for Democratic Change or ADC [Hamad Rashid MOHAMED]
Civic United Front (Chama Cha Wananchi) or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]
National Convention for Construction and Reform-Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATIA]
National League for Democracy
Party of Democracy and Development (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) or Chadema [President Samia Suluhu HASSAN]
Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) or CCM
Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA]
United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO]
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elsie Sia KANZA (since August 2021)

chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 884-1080, [1] (202) 939-6125, [1] (202) 939-6127

FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408

email address and website:
ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org

https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. WRIGHT (since 2 April 2020)

embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam

mailing address: 2140 Dar es Salaam Place, Washington, DC  20521-2140

telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000

FAX: [255] (22) 229-4721

email address and website:
DRSACS@state.gov

https://tz.usembassy.gov/
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
National symbol(s): Uhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors: green, yellow, blue, black
National anthem: name: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)

lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

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 heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (3 cultural, 3 natural, 1 mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (m), Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara (c), Serengeti National Park (n), Selous Game Reserve (n), Kilimanjaro National Park (n), Stone Town of Zanzibar (c), Kondoa Rock-Art Sites (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: 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 government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill.   The new government elected in 2015 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.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 government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill. The new government elected in 2015 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.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $152.79 billion (2020 est.)

$149.79 billion (2019 est.)

$141.59 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 6.98% (2019 est.)

6.95% (2018 est.)

6.78% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,600 (2020 est.)

$2,700 (2019 est.)

$2,600 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $60.633 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2019 est.)

3.5% (2018 est.)

5.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B2 (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 23.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 28.6% (2017 est.)

services: 47.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 36.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -8.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 18.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -20.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, bananas, vegetables, milk, beans, sunflower seed
Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); mining (diamonds, gold, and iron), salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 24.89 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66.9%

industry: 6.4%

services: 26.6% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10.3% (2014 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9%

male: 3.1%

female: 4.6% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 26.4% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.5 (2017 est.)

34.6 (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)
Budget: revenues: 7.873 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 8.818 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 37% of GDP (2017 est.)

38% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Current account balance: -$1.313 billion (2019 est.)

-$1.898 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $9.66 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$8.46 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: India 20%, United Arab Emirates 13%, China 8%, Switzerland 7%, Rwanda 6%, Kenya 5%, Vietnam 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, tobacco, cashews, sesame seeds, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports: $10.36 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$10.2 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 34%, India 15%, United Arab Emirates 12% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, palm oil, packaged medicines, cars, wheat (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.301 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.067 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

note: excludes gold
Debt - external: $22.054 billion (2019 est.)

$20.569 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar -

2,319 (2020 est.)

2,300 (2019 est.)

2,299.155 (2018 est.)

1,989.7 (2014 est.)

1,654 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 40% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019)
Electricity - production: 6.699 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 5.682 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 102 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 1.457 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 55% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 40% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 72,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 67,830 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 3.115 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 3.115 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 6.513 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 72,469 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 47,685,200 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82.21 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Tanzania’s telecom services are being developed to reach parity with more advanced networks from neighboring countries such as Kenya and fierce competition exists amongst Tanzania's 5 major mobile network operators; one fixed-line operator with competition in mobile networks; high tariffs on telecom; mobile use remains popular, with the government subsidizing expansion of mobile networks into rural communities; most mobile networks rely on older 2G and 3G technology with 4G/LTE service available in urban centers; the government is currently testing 5G technology and plans to begin rolling out 5G service in 2024; the government continues to improve rural telecom infrastructure including work on a national fiber backbone network connecting the entire population (2022)

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 82 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital (2019)

international: country code - 255; landing points for the EASSy, SEACOM/Tata TGN-Eurasia, and SEAS fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: according to statistics from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania had 45 television stations as of 2020; 13 of those stations provided national content services (commercially broadcasting free-to-air television); there are 196 radio stations, most operating at the district level, but also including 5 independent nationally broadcasting stations and 1 state-owned national radio station; international broadcasting is available through satellite television which is becoming increasingly widespread; there are 3 major satellite TV providers (2020)
Internet country code: .tz
Internet users: total: 13,141,527 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 22% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,135,608 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 11 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 91

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,481,557 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 390,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5H
Airports: total: 166 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 156

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 24

914 to 1,523 m: 98

under 914 m: 33 (2021)
Pipelines: 311 km gas, 891 km oil, 8 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 4,097 km

standard gauge: 421 km

narrow gauge: 1,969 km (2014) 1.067 m gauge

broad gauge: 2,707 km 1.000 m guage

2707 km 1.000-m gauge
Roadways: total: 145,203 km

paved: 11,201 km (2015)

unpaved: 135,002 km
Waterways: (2011) (Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable)
Merchant marine: total: 314

by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 6, general cargo 144, oil tanker 49, other 111 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF or Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, National Building Army (Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, JKT), People's Militia (Reserves); Ministry of Home Affairs: Tanzania Police force (includes paramilitary Police Field Force) (2022)

note - the National Building Army is a paramilitary organization under the Defense Forces that provides 6 months of military and vocational training to individuals as part of their 2 years of public service; after completion of training, some graduates join the regular Defense Forces while the remainder become part of the People's (or Citizen's) Militia
Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $810 million)

1.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $800 million)

1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $690 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 25,000 active personnel (21,000 Land Forces; 1,000 Naval Forces; 3,000 Air Force) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the TPDF inventory includes mostly Soviet-era and Chinese equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to the TPDF (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; 6-year commitment (2-year contracts afterwards); selective conscription for 2 years of public service (2021)
Military deployments: 450 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 850 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (Feb 2022)
Military - note: in 2021-2022, Tanzania deployed additional troops to its border with Mozambique and contributed troops to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervention force that was assisting the Mozambique Government's fight against Islamic militants
Maritime threats: 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 shipsthe 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

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: dispute with Malawi 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 lakedispute with Malawi 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 127,104 (Burundi), 80,599 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2022)
Trafficking in persons: 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, in the commercial service sector, in the sex trade, and possibly on small fishing boats; internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking and is usually facilitated by friends, family members, or intermediaries offering education or legitimate job opportunities; trafficking victims from Burundi, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Yemen, and India are forced to work in Tanzania’s agricultural, mining, and domestic service sectors or may be sex trafficked; traffickers transported Tanzanian children with physical disabilities to Kenya to work as beggars or in massage parlors; girls forced to donate a kidney to pay for supposed transportation fees to the United Arab Emirates; traffickers subject Tanzanians to forced labor, including in domestic service, and sex trafficking in other African countries, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the United States

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Tanzania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts were made to  identify and refer victims for care; investigations and convictions of traffickers, training for officials, and public awareness campaigns were increased along with a National Guideline for Safe Houses; however, the government did not amend its law to remove sentencing provisions that allow fines in lieu of imprisonment; fewer prosecutions were initiated; the government did not implement the 2018-2021 national action plan; officials did not fully implement the creation of the anti-trafficking fund nor disperse funds; no formal victim identification and protection was provided (2020)
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with moneysignificant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with money