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Tanzania economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tanzania ranked 82/197 by economy size with a GDP of $78.8B and 170/197 by GDP per capita at $1,150. Tanzania has $39.3B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 49.9%.

In 2024, Tanzania made up 0.07% of the world's economy, compared to 0.19% in 1960.

Tanzania GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $78,844,405,385 5.53%
2023 $79,030,935,627 5.07%
2022 $75,749,121,843 4.57%
2021 $70,655,628,148 4.32%
2020 $66,068,737,786 1.99%
2019 $61,026,731,926 5.8%
2018 $57,003,712,892 5.5%
2017 $53,274,884,533 6.73%
2016 $49,774,409,374 6.87%
2015 $47,413,919,817 6.16%
2014 $49,986,726,461 6.73%
2013 $45,648,857,242 6.78%
2012 $39,650,394,363 4.5%
2011 $34,657,140,096 7.67%
2010 $32,012,892,919 6.34%
2009 $29,400,573,554 5.27%
2008 $27,947,821,398 5.69%
2007 $21,860,434,823 6.77%
2006 $18,619,859,795 6.53%
2005 $18,395,383,647 7.48%
2004 $16,673,062,473 7.5%
2003 $15,211,487,709 6.67%
2002 $14,129,651,896 7.09%
2001 $13,563,990,022 6.07%
2000 $13,371,767,082 4.52%
1999 $12,704,334,196 4.86%
1998 $12,172,790,056 3.71%
1997 $11,158,197,942 3.53%
1996 $9,433,528,150 4.54%
1995 $7,631,431,840 3.57%
1994 $6,550,480,484 1.57%
1993 $6,182,872,708 1.21%
1992 $6,681,997,469 0.58%
1991 $7,197,768,159 2.07%
1990 $6,184,384,225 7.05%
1989 $6,418,799,007 3.76%
1988 $7,406,614,407 7.26%
1987 $7,824,193,222 4.8%
1986 $10,840,864,521 5.5%
1985 $15,328,295,175 1.24%
1984 $12,906,635,133 4.67%
1983 $14,049,883,809 -0.39%
1982 $13,927,383,240 -0.37%
1981 $13,161,540,378 -0.98%
1980 $11,409,228,087 2.74%
1979 $9,804,637,491 2.5%
1978 $9,261,675,710 2.08%
1977 $7,732,598,995 0.05%
1976 $6,472,511,988 3.31%
1975 $5,729,917,840 3.99%
1974 $4,977,337,978 2.11%
1973 $4,144,104,535 6.19%
1972 $3,472,787,266 7.12%
1971 $3,050,673,517 3.9%
1970 $2,851,419,386 -46.4%
1969 $5,142,066,811 3.26%
1968 $4,895,251,824 6.29%
1967 $4,565,132,048 5.52%
1966 $4,377,998,825 11.6%
1965 $3,817,226,546 4.36%
1964 $3,748,840,925 5.51%
1963 $3,456,579,293 6.26%
1962 $3,101,589,993 9.1%
1961 $2,826,179,031 1.14%
1960 $2,651,729,807 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

Tanzania GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $992 $2,728
2017 $957 $2,472
2016 $925 $2,435
2015 $911 $2,317
2014 $993 $2,221
2013 $935 $2,176
2012 $837 $2,083
2011 $753 $2,211
2010 $715 $2,069
2009 $674 $1,972
2008 $657 $1,908
2007 $528 $1,820
2006 $462 $1,707
2005 $469 $1,598
2004 $438 $1,482
2003 $410 $1,379
2002 $391 $1,302
2001 $385 $1,229
2000 $390 $1,164
1999 $382 $1,120
1998 $375 $1,082
1997 $353 $1,059
1996 $305 $1,026
1995 $251.2 $981
1994 $222.5 $958
1993 $218.2 $959
1992 $243.4 $955
1991 $268.8 $952
1990 $236.9 $925
1989 $252.3 -
1988 $299 -
1987 $326 -
1986 $466 -
1985 $681 -
1984 $593 -
1983 $667 -
1982 $683 -
1981 $665 -
1980 $595 -
1979 $527 -
1978 $515 -
1977 $446 -
1976 $387 -
1975 $355 -
1974 $320 -
1973 $276.1 -
1972 $239.8 -
1971 $218.4 -
1970 $211.3 -
1969 $394 -
1968 $388 -
1967 $374 -
1966 $370 -
1965 $333 -
1964 $337 -
1963 $320 -
1962 $295.7 -
1961 $277.4 -
1960 $267.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

Tanzania has a GDP per capita of $1,150, ranking 170/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $4,221, ranking 165/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,309, ranking 154/197.

Tanzania GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 81 160 151
2023 80 168 160
2022 74 166 160
2021 74 168 159
2020 74 166 159
2019 82 171 164
2018 83 171 164
2017 82 170 169
2016 82 170 168
2015 85 174 170
2014 84 175 169
2013 88 175 169
2012 89 176 169
2011 90 180 170
2010 89 177 171
2009 89 177 172
2008 90 175 172
2007 93 174 170
2006 92 173 173
2005 86 170 174
2004 85 170 174
2003 84 168 173
2002 83 165 173
2001 81 167 173
2000 80 166 174
1999 81 165 172
1998 82 163 170
1997 84 168 169
1996 86 173 167
1995 93 173 169
1994 91 168 167
1993 93 173 159
1992 92 169 161
1991 87 167 160
1990 93 171 159
1989 79 154 -
1988 77 148 -
1987 70 139 -
1986 60 122 -
1985 57 105 -
1984 59 114 -
1983 59 109 -
1982 58 109 -
1981 58 112 -
1980 59 114 -
1979 57 110 -
1978 57 108 -
1977 56 109 -
1976 58 107 -
1975 58 108 -
1974 59 106 -
1973 56 105 -
1972 56 103 -
1971 56 103 -
1970 57 102 -
1969 43 52 -
1968 42 50 -
1967 42 50 -
1966 41 49 -
1965 41 50 -
1964 40 48 -
1963 42 48 -
1962 40 50 -
1961 41 51 -
1960 42 50 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Tanzania is ranked 81st out of 182 by GDP (down from 80th), 160th by GDP per capita (up from 166th), and 151st by GDP per capita PPP (up from 174th).

Economic indicators

Tanzania Rank
Gross domestic product
$78.8B
2024
82/197
GDP growth
5.53%
2023-2024
30/194
GDP per capita
$1,150
2024
170/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,221
2024
165/197
Government debt
$39.3B
2024
82/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.9%
2024
109/185
Government debt per person
$573
2024
160/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,309
2026
154/197
Listed domestic companies
22
2024
89/103
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.32B
2024
74/100
Number of billionaires
1
2025
72/78
Billionaire frequency
1 in 31,924,651
2025
74/78
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2018
30/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2018
80/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
164/195
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2023-2024
103/195
Central bank interest rate
6%
2024
52/106
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
168/196
Population
73145892
22/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 19.1% 49.9% -3.03%
2023 19% 47.8% -3.67%
2022 19.1% 44.9% -3.92%
2021 18.4% 43.4% -3.55%
2020 17.4% 41.3% -2.56%
2019 17.3% 40.4% -2.06%
2018 17.3% 42% -2.01%
2017 16.4% 40.1% -1.14%
2016 16.9% 39.8% -2.08%
2015 17.2% 39.5% -3.17%
2014 17.3% 36.4% -2.91%
2013 18.8% 32.7% -3.76%
2012 19.6% 30% -4%
2011 19% 28.4% -3.51%
2010 19.8% 27.6% -4.74%
2009 19.6% 23.9% -4.46%
2008 18.1% 21.6% -1.92%
2007 17.8% 23.8% -1.44%
2006 17.6% 17.4% -3.38%
2005 18.3% 25.4% -3.28%
2004 17% 44.5% -2.43%
2003 15.4% 44.4% -1.77%
2002 13.6% 47.4% -0.73%
2001 12.4% 50.8% -0.41%
2000 12.3% 55.4% -0.73%
1999 12.8% 62.9% -1.14%
1998 11.4% 62.2% 0.13%
1997 12.8% 73.4% -0.03%
1996 13.4% 89.6% 1.57%
1995 15.6% 111.1% -2.12%
1994 16.8% 126% -3.74%
1993 16.4% 129.2% -2.02%
1992 17.6% 117.6% -4.96%
1991 14.2% 106.5% 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

This chart shows Tanzania's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Tanzania recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.3% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $15.1B (19.1% of GDP), with a deficit of 3.03%.

The national debt reached $39.3B, ranking 82nd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 49.9%, ranking 109th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 3.06%
2023 3.8%
2022 4.35%
2021 3.69%
2020 3.29%
2019 3.46%
2018 3.49%
2017 5.32%
2016 5.17%
2015 5.59%
2014 6.13%
2013 7.87%
2012 16%
2011 12.7%
2010 6.2%
2009 12.1%
2008 10.3%
2007 7.03%
2006 7.25%
2005 5.03%
2004 4.74%
2003 5.3%
2002 5.32%
2001 5.15%
2000 5.92%
1999 7.89%
1998 12.8%
1997 16.1%
1996 21%
1995 27.4%
1994 34.1%
1993 25.3%
1992 21.8%
1991 28.7%
1990 35.8%
1989 25.8%
1988 31.2%
1987 29.9%
1986 32.4%
1985 33.3%
1984 36.1%
1983 27.1%
1982 28.9%
1981 25.7%
1980 30.2%
1979 12.9%
1978 6.58%
1977 11.6%
1976 6.86%
1975 26.1%
1974 19.6%
1973 10.4%
1972 7.64%
1971 4.78%
1970 3.49%
1969 16.4%
1968 15.6%
1967 12.2%
1966 9.78%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Tanzania has had an average annual inflation rate of 6.59%. In 2024, inflation was 3.06%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Tanzania Rank
Current account balance
-$2.38B
2024
147/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.02%
2024
118/190
Goods imports
$14.2B
2024
97/189
Goods exports
$9.12B
2024
101/189
Service imports
$2.8B
2024
107/189
Service exports
$6.85B
2024
85/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
162/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
148/193

Tanzania top 10 trading partners

Tanzania's biggest trading partner accounting for 21.5% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$4.34B: Tanzania exports $443M worth of goods and services to China and imports $4.78B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Tanzania.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $5.22B 21.5% $443M $4.78B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
2 India $3.77B 15.5% $1.64B $2.13B Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
3 South Africa $2.82B 11.6% $2.29B $531M Precious metals & jewellery Machinery & equipment
4 UAE $2.29B 9.43% $625M $1.66B Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
5 Kenya $721M 2.97% $321M $400M Raw agricultural goods Chemicals & pharma
6 Japan $693M 2.86% $99.8M $593M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
7 United States $559M 2.3% $101M $458M Textiles & consumer goods Machinery & equipment
8 Switzerland $475M 1.96% $270M $206M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
9 Uganda $407M 1.68% $291M $116M Raw agricultural goods Metals
10 South Korea $388M 1.6% $27.7M $360M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Tanzania Rank
Transport & tourism services $5.78B 60/188
Precious metals & jewellery $3.7B 34/190
Raw agricultural goods $2.06B 57/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $909M 83/192
Raw materials & minerals $764M 112/193
Textiles & consumer goods $377M 93/193
Animal & marine products $260M 86/192
Machinery & equipment $211M 114/193
Business & finance services $165M 116/188
Chemicals & pharma $149M 104/193

Top 10 imports

Tanzania Rank
Machinery & equipment $5.01B 87/193
Raw materials & minerals $4.04B 81/193
Chemicals & pharma $2.15B 83/193
Metals $1.74B 79/193
Transport & tourism services $1.71B 110/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $929M 103/193
Textiles & consumer goods $896M 103/193
Raw agricultural goods $539M 107/193
Business & finance services $321M 127/188
Wood & paper products $270M 105/193

Economic freedom indices

Tanzania Rank
Economic freedom 59 106/197
Property rights 45.2 102/182
Government integrity 40.9 94/182
Judicial effectiveness 29.6 126/182
Tax burden 80.4 83/182
Government spending 89.1 33/180
Fiscal health 75 92/181
Business freedom 48.1 145/182
Labor freedom 62.3 36/182
Monetary freedom 73.4 95/180
Trade freedom 58.8 155/181
Investment freedom 55 98/181
Financial freedom 50 99/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 59 29.6 80.4 89.1 75
2025 59.3 30.4 80.4 89.4 74.3
2024 59.1 28.8 80.6 90.7 79.9
2023 60 37.4 80.6 91.3 86.5
2022 59.5 27 80.6 91.9 93.3
2021 61.3 40.2 80.7 91.8 90.8
2020 61.7 43.4 80.6 91.6 92.9
2019 60.2 41.4 80.5 90.3 85.2
2018 59.9 34.7 79.8 89.8 79
2017 58.6 28.8 80.3 89.5 76.6
2016 58.5 - 79.2 88.4 -
2015 57.5 - 79.9 79.3 -
2014 57.8 - 79.7 78.3 -
2013 57.9 - 79.9 77.9 -
2012 57 - 79.7 80.2 -
2011 57 - 79.8 80.5 -
2010 58.3 - 80.3 82.6 -
2009 58.3 - 80.6 83.4 -
2008 56.5 - 80.5 79.9 -
2007 56.8 - 80.6 85.2 -
2006 58.5 - 80.6 88.1 -
2005 56.3 - 80.8 90.8 -
2004 60.1 - 80.9 92 -
2003 56.9 - 80.9 92.2 -
2002 58.3 - 81 94.1 -
2001 54.9 - 80.9 94.1 -
2000 56 - 77.5 94.1 -
1999 60 - 77.3 92.5 -
1998 59.6 - 77.5 92.1 -
1997 59.3 - 77.5 92.7 -
1996 57.5 - 77.5 90.6 -
1995 57.3 - 77.8 90.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

Tanzania is ranked 94/174 for economic freedom with a score of 59, compared to 82/162 and a score of 58.5 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Tanzania Rank
Services, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
189/191
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
68/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
26/193
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
76/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
162/191
Total reserves including gold
$5.05B
2018
101/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.72B
2024
135/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.72B
2024
76/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
164/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.57%
2024
86/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
26.4%
2018
68/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
8/178

Compare Tanzania vs other countries

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/tanzania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.