Tanzania Country Profile

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Tanzania

Tanganyika achieved independence from British rule in the early 1960s and later merged with Zanzibar in 1964 to form present day Tanzania. The country’s first President, Julius Nyerere promoted self-reliance and equality through socialist schemes such as cooperative farm villages.

Holding multiparty elections for the first time in 1995, the majority of the population continue to live below the poverty line.

The Facts

Capital: Dar es Salaam
Major religions: Christianity and Islam
Main Languages: Swahili and English (both official), plus many tribal languages
Key exports: coffee, tea, tanzanite, flowers
Government: Chama Cha Mapinduzi
President: Jakaya Kikwete
Most recent Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2005/2005
Next scheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2010/2010

The Figures

HIV prevalence: 6.2% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)
Adult literacy rate: 72% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)
GDP per capita: US$1,426 (UK: US$34,340)
Life expectancy at birth: 57 years (UK: 80 years)
Under-five mortality rate: 104 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)
2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 169 countries): 148

For information on Tanzania's history, politics, economy and more, view ACTSA's full Tanzania Country Profile.

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