Africa · Eastern Africa
Tanzania Demographics
Tanzania has a young age structure, fast population growth, high fertility, and a rising urban share. The 2022 national census counted 61.7 million people; the World Bank midyear estimate for 2024 is 68.6 million.
Core values use the 2022 Population and Housing Census, World Bank WDI, UN World Population Prospects 2024, and UN WPP-based median-age data where noted.
Last updated: 30 June 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Detailed Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population, midyear estimate | 68,560,157 | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Population, census count | 61,741,120 | 2022 | Tanzania Population and Housing Census |
| Male population, census count | 30,053,130 | 2022 | Tanzania Population and Housing Census |
| Female population, census count | 31,687,990 | 2022 | Tanzania Population and Housing Census |
| Sex ratio | 95 males per 100 females | 2022 | Tanzania Population and Housing Census |
| Average annual intercensal growth | 3.2% | 2012-2022 | Tanzania Population and Housing Census |
| Median age | 17.2 years | 2023 | UN WPP-based median-age series |
| Fertility rate | 4.54 births per woman | 2024 | World Bank WDI / UN WPP |
| Life expectancy at birth | 67.2 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Urban population share | 38.14% | 2024 | World Bank WDI / UN urban series |
| Urban population count | 26,146,101 | 2024 | World Bank WDI / UN urban series |
| Urban population share, census residence | 34.9% | 2022 | Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| Population aged 0-14 | 42.8% | 2022 | Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| Population aged 15-64 | 53.4% | 2022 | Derived from PHC five-year age groups |
| Population aged 65+ | 3.8% | 2022 | Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| Age dependency ratio | 87.1 dependents per 100 working-age people | 2022 | Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| Net migration | -29,865 | 2024 | World Bank WDI / UN WPP |
| Immigration | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available in the current dataset |
| Emigration | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available in the current dataset |
| Projected population, medium scenario | 129,621,102 | 2050 | UN WPP 2024 medium scenario |
Table analysis
- The 2022 census count was 61,741,120, while the 2024 World Bank midyear estimate was 68,560,157; the two values use different reference dates and methods.
- The 2022 census recorded more females than males: 31,687,990 females and 30,053,130 males.
- The census sex ratio was 95 males per 100 females.
- The 2022 age dependency ratio was 87.1, reflecting a large child-age population relative to the working-age group.
- Immigration and emigration counts are not listed here because the current dataset provides net migration only.
Population Trend
Tanzania Census Population Trend
National census counts from 1967 to 2022.
Source: Tanzania Population and Housing Census publications. Values are census counts, not midyear estimates.
Trend analysis
- The census population rose from 12.3 million in 1967 to 61.7 million in 2022.
- The largest increase between listed census points was from 44.9 million in 2012 to 61.7 million in 2022.
- The chart uses census counts only; World Bank midyear estimates are shown in a separate table.
Census Population Benchmarks
| Year | Population | Average annual growth since previous census | Density in source | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 12,313,469 | Data not available | 14 persons per sq. km | NBS census population series |
| 1978 | 17,512,610 | 3.25% | 20 persons per sq. km | NBS census population series |
| 1988 | 23,095,878 | 2.81% | 26 persons per sq. km | NBS census population series |
| 2002 | 34,569,232 | 2.92% | 39 persons per sq. km | NBS census population series |
| 2012 | 44,928,923 | 2.7% | Data not available | 2022 PHC initial results |
| 2022 | 61,741,120 | 3.2% | Data not available | 2022 PHC initial results |
Table analysis
- The census series increased by about five times between 1967 and 2022.
- The average annual intercensal growth rate rose from 2.7% in 2002-2012 to 3.2% in 2012-2022.
- Density values are shown only where the source table reports them directly.
Recent Midyear Population Estimates
World Bank Midyear Population Estimate
Annual midyear estimates from 2020 to 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI. These are de facto midyear population estimates.
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Yearly % change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 60,972,798 | Data not available | Data not available | World Bank WDI |
| 2021 | 62,830,412 | +1,857,614 | 3.05% | Derived from World Bank WDI |
| 2022 | 64,711,821 | +1,881,409 | 2.99% | Derived from World Bank WDI |
| 2023 | 66,617,606 | +1,905,785 | 2.95% | Derived from World Bank WDI |
| 2024 | 68,560,157 | +1,942,551 | 2.92% | Derived from World Bank WDI |
Trend analysis
- The World Bank midyear estimate rose from 61.0 million in 2020 to 68.6 million in 2024.
- The annual change in this series was +1.94 million in 2024.
- These values are not census counts; they are midyear estimates designed for international comparability.
Age-Sex Population Structure
Tanzania Population Pyramid
Population by five-year age group and sex, 2022 census.
Source: Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report, 2022. Male values are encoded as negative values for left-side display; readouts should show absolute counts.
Age-sex analysis
- The largest five-year group was 0-4, with 9,484,171 people.
- The 0-14 population was 26,399,988, equal to 42.8% of the census population.
- The 20-24 group had a sex ratio of 85 males per 100 females.
- Older ages were more female-heavy: the 85+ group had a sex ratio of 60.
- The pyramid uses five-year census age groups, so it is a true age-sex population pyramid rather than a broad age chart.
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Male share | Female share | Sex ratio | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4,723,359 | 4,760,812 | 9,484,171 | 49.8% | 50.2% | 99 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 5-9 | 4,434,204 | 4,484,375 | 8,918,579 | 49.7% | 50.3% | 99 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 10-14 | 4,035,586 | 3,961,652 | 7,997,238 | 50.5% | 49.5% | 102 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 15-19 | 3,096,582 | 3,185,807 | 6,282,389 | 49.3% | 50.7% | 97 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 20-24 | 2,560,797 | 3,005,179 | 5,565,976 | 46.0% | 54.0% | 85 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 25-29 | 2,220,568 | 2,507,604 | 4,728,172 | 47.0% | 53.0% | 89 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 30-34 | 1,902,825 | 2,053,133 | 3,955,958 | 48.1% | 51.9% | 93 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 35-39 | 1,532,164 | 1,676,186 | 3,208,350 | 47.8% | 52.2% | 91 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 40-44 | 1,315,192 | 1,396,308 | 2,711,500 | 48.5% | 51.5% | 94 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 45-49 | 1,121,993 | 1,168,071 | 2,290,064 | 49.0% | 51.0% | 96 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 50-54 | 906,162 | 947,236 | 1,853,398 | 48.9% | 51.1% | 96 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 55-59 | 616,939 | 636,403 | 1,253,342 | 49.2% | 50.8% | 97 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 60-64 | 555,228 | 595,847 | 1,151,075 | 48.2% | 51.8% | 93 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 65-69 | 329,847 | 374,238 | 704,085 | 46.8% | 53.2% | 88 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 70-74 | 288,954 | 337,913 | 626,867 | 46.1% | 53.9% | 86 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 75-79 | 166,357 | 207,937 | 374,294 | 44.4% | 55.6% | 80 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 80-84 | 117,912 | 173,504 | 291,416 | 40.5% | 59.5% | 68 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| 85+ | 128,461 | 215,785 | 344,246 | 37.3% | 62.7% | 60 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
| Total | 30,053,130 | 31,687,990 | 61,741,120 | 48.7% | 51.3% | 95 | 2022 | PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report |
Table analysis
- The table contains the full 2022 census five-year age-sex structure used in the population pyramid.
- Females outnumbered males in the total census population by 1,634,860.
- The only listed five-year group with more males than females was 10-14.
- The female share rises at older ages, reaching 62.7% in the 85+ group.
Sex Ratio by Age Group
Males per 100 Females by Age
Five-year age groups from the 2022 census.
Source: Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report, 2022.
Chart analysis
- The highest sex ratio in the listed age groups is 102 in ages 10-14.
- The ratio falls below 90 in several adult and older-age groups.
- The lowest ratio is 60 in the 85+ group.
Broad Age Structure
Population by Broad Age Group
Census age groups grouped into 0-14, 15-64, and 65+.
Source: Derived from Tanzania PHC five-year age groups, 2022.
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Share | Sex ratio | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 13,193,149 | 13,206,839 | 26,399,988 | 42.8% | 99.9 | 2022 | Derived from PHC age-sex table |
| 15-64 | 15,828,450 | 17,171,774 | 33,000,224 | 53.4% | 92.2 | 2022 | Derived from PHC age-sex table |
| 65+ | 1,031,531 | 1,309,377 | 2,340,908 | 3.8% | 78.8 | 2022 | Derived from PHC age-sex table |
Data analysis
- The child-age population, ages 0-14, was 26.4 million.
- The working-age group, ages 15-64, was 33.0 million.
- The older population, ages 65+, was 2.34 million, or 3.8% of the census population.
Fertility, Life Expectancy and Urbanization
Fertility Rate Compared With Replacement Level
Births per woman, 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI / UN WPP. Replacement level is a broad benchmark of 2.1 births per woman.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Total population, 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI. Sex-specific life expectancy is not shown because the current sourced value used here is the total value.
Census Urban Population Share
Urban share by census residence category.
Source: Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report, 2002, 2012 and 2022.
Data analysis
- The 2024 fertility rate of 4.54 births per woman is above the broad replacement-level benchmark of 2.1.
- Life expectancy at birth is shown as a total population value: 67.2 years in 2024.
- The census urban share rose from 23.1% in 2002 to 34.9% in 2022.
- The World Bank urban share for 2024 is higher at 38.14%, using its international urban series.
Migration Balance
Net Migration
Estimated net migration balance for 2023 and 2024.
Source: World Bank WDI / UN WPP. Positive values indicate net inflow; negative values indicate net outflow.
| Year | Immigration | Emigration | Net migration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Data not available | Data not available | -39,388 | World Bank WDI / UN WPP |
| 2024 | Data not available | Data not available | -29,865 | World Bank WDI / UN WPP |
Table analysis
- The listed net migration values are negative in both years.
- The net migration balance changed from -39,388 in 2023 to -29,865 in 2024.
- Separate immigration and emigration counts are not available in the current dataset.
Population Projection Scenario
UN WPP Medium Scenario
Projected population under the medium scenario.
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 medium scenario. Projection values are scenario-based estimates, not guaranteed predictions.
| Year | Projected population | Scenario | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 80,913,124 | Medium scenario | UN WPP 2024 |
| 2050 | 129,621,102 | Medium scenario | UN WPP 2024 |
| 2100 | 262,834,721 | Medium scenario | UN WPP 2024 |
Projection analysis
- The medium scenario places Tanzania above 80 million by 2030.
- The 2050 projection is 129.6 million.
- The 2100 projection is 262.8 million under the same medium scenario.
- Projection values are not observed population counts.
Regional Population Distribution
| Area | Population | Share of national population | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania Mainland | 59,851,347 | 96.9% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Zanzibar | 1,889,773 | 3.1% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Dar es Salaam | 5,383,728 | 8.7% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Mwanza | 3,699,872 | 6.0% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Tabora | 3,391,679 | 5.5% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Morogoro | 3,197,104 | 5.2% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
| Dodoma | 3,085,625 | 5.0% | 2022 | 2022 PHC initial results |
Table analysis
- The Mainland accounted for 96.9% of the national census population.
- Dar es Salaam was the largest listed region, with 5,383,728 people.
- Zanzibar had 1,889,773 people, or 3.1% of the national total.
Demographic Overview
The census population increased from 44.9 million in 2012 to 61.7 million in 2022, while the World Bank midyear estimate reached 68.6 million in 2024.
Children aged 0-14 made up 42.8% of the 2022 census population, while people aged 65+ made up 3.8%.
The 2022 census counted 95 males per 100 females, with the female share rising in older age groups.
The 2024 fertility rate was 4.54 births per woman, above the 2.1 replacement-level benchmark used for comparison.
The census urban share rose to 34.9% in 2022, and the World Bank urban series reported 38.14% in 2024.
The UN WPP 2024 medium scenario projects 129.6 million people in 2050 and 262.8 million in 2100.
Data Sources and Methodology
Values on this page combine census counts, midyear estimates, and scenario-based projections. Tables keep these series separate where definitions differ. Derived values are identified in the source column.
| Source | Year or release | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar | 2022 Population and Housing Census initial results | Census population, male and female totals, sex ratio, regional population, intercensal growth |
| Tanzania PHC Age and Sex Distribution Report | 2022 census report | Five-year age-sex table, population pyramid, broad age groups, dependency ratio, census urban/rural split |
| NBS census population series | 1967, 1978, 1988 and 2002 census table | Early census benchmarks, historical density values where directly reported |
| World Bank World Development Indicators | 2024 values where available | Midyear population estimates, fertility rate, life expectancy, urban share, urban population count, net migration |
| UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 | 2024 Revision | Medium-scenario population projections and UN-based demographic series used by WDI |
| UN WPP-based median-age series | 2023 value | Median age indicator when a directly matching census median-age value is not shown in the current source set |
Method note
- Census values are enumerated population counts from the 2022 Population and Housing Census.
- World Bank WDI population values are de facto midyear estimates and should not be treated as census counts.
- UN WPP projection values are scenario-based estimates and are shown separately from historical observed or estimated values.
- Age-sex shares are calculated from the visible census age-sex rows and rounded to one decimal place.
Methodological Safety Note
Methodological Safety Note: Tanzania values on this page use more than one population definition. The 2022 PHC is an enumerated census count; World Bank WDI values are midyear estimates; UN WPP values are estimates or projections. Projections are scenario-based estimates, not guaranteed predictions. Urban shares depend on source definitions. Rounding may cause small differences between summed age groups and displayed percentages. Missing immigration and emigration counts are not estimated.
Demographic Data FAQ
What is Tanzania’s population?
The 2024 World Bank midyear estimate is 68,560,157. The 2022 national census count is 61,741,120.
Why do the 2022 and 2024 population values differ?
The 2022 value is a census count. The 2024 value is a midyear estimate designed for international comparison.
How young is Tanzania’s population?
In the 2022 census, people aged 0-14 made up 42.8% of the population.
Does this page include a real population pyramid?
Yes. The pyramid uses five-year age groups by sex from the 2022 census age-sex table.
Are the projection values guaranteed?
No. The projection table uses the UN WPP 2024 medium scenario, which is a scenario-based estimate.