Tanzania: cost of living

Which prices are rising fastest in Tanzania?

Transport prices in Tanzania were 14.0% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, the largest rise of any group in the National Bureau of Statistics consumer price index. Energy, fuel and utilities prices rose 7.8%.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages, which have the biggest weight in the index, rose 3.9%, and education services 3.2%. Health prices rose 1.4%. The Bank of Tanzania said in September that the rise in energy, fuel and utilities prices in August was driven mainly by charcoal and firewood, and linked the rise in inflation to the delayed effect of earlier fuel price increases on bus and taxi fares.

Official sources: NBS: National Consumer Price Index for September 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF)

What is the petrol price in Tanzania?

Fuel prices in Tanzania are capped each month by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority. The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), which sets fuel price caps, could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so the current cap is not stated here.

The Bank of Tanzania reported that petrol and diesel prices in Dar es Salaam in August 2026 remained well below their June 2026 levels, but warned that rising world prices for refined petroleum products pose a risk of higher inflation. Transport prices were 14.0% higher in September than a year earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF) · NBS: National Consumer Price Index for September 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Tanzania?

26.4% of people in Tanzania lived below the national poverty line in 2018, down from 28.2% in 2011, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use Tanzania's Household Budget Survey.

Using the World Bank's international extreme poverty line of US$3.00 a day, 51.3% were poor in 2018, according to the World Bank. The Gini index of inequality was 40.5. These are the latest survey-based figures; a newer Household Budget Survey had not been published on the NBS website as of 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Tanzania · World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, Tanzania · World Bank: Gini index, Tanzania · National Bureau of Statistics

How much food does Tanzania hold in reserve?

The National Food Reserve Agency held 484,332 tonnes of food at the end of August 2026, compared with 537,571 tonnes a year earlier, according to the Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review.

During August the Agency bought 89.5 tonnes and released 2,813.7 tonnes of maize and paddy to traders. Food prices rose 3.9% in the year to September, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The Bank warns that above-normal short rains linked to a strong El Niño could disrupt transport and food distribution.

Official sources: Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF) · NBS: National Consumer Price Index for September 2026 (PDF)

What is the VAT rate in Tanzania?

Value added tax in Tanzania is collected by the Tanzania Revenue Authority under the Value Added Tax Act. The current rate could not be confirmed from an official source today because the Tanzania Revenue Authority website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so it is not stated here.

The Ministry of Finance budget guideline projects total tax revenue of 36,889.3 billion shillings in 2026/27. The IMF noted in July 2026 that some reforms to VAT administration had been delayed, according to the Bank of Tanzania.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Guideline for the preparation of the plan and budget, 2026/27-2028/29 (PDF) · Bank of Tanzania: IMF approves US$443.9 million disbursement to Tanzania

What is the inflation rate in Tanzania?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Tanzania at 3.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.1% (2024) to 16.0% (2012). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 3.4%, and Tanzania placed 21st highest of 39. Worldwide: 75th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Tanzania?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Tanzania at $601 in 2025. The peak was $609 in 2019 and the low $478 in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and Tanzania placed 27th highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 114th of 124.

What share of people in Tanzania live in extreme poverty?

In 2018, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Tanzania was 51.3%, according to the World Bank. It was 61.9% in 2007. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.1%, and Tanzania placed 2nd highest of 15. Of 92 countries with 2018 data, 2nd highest.

What share of Tanzania lives below the poverty line?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2018, is 26.4%. It was 34.4% in 2007. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 40.8%; Tanzania is 14th highest of 15. Of 67 countries with 2018 data, 21st highest.

How unequal are incomes in Tanzania?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2018, is 40.5. In 2007 the figure was 40.3. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 37.3; Tanzania is 4th highest of 15. Worldwide: 22nd of 92.

What is food insecurity in Tanzania?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Tanzania at 57.0% in 2024. The peak was 58.7% in 2021 and the low 48.8% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; Tanzania is 19th highest of 34. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 22nd highest.