11 answers, 4 from Tanzania's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
What is the literacy rate in Tanzania?
78.2% of people aged 15 and over in Tanzania could read and write in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. The figure was 82.2% in 2020 and 77.9% in 2015.
The figures come from different surveys and censuses, so changes between years partly reflect differences in method. The rate measures basic reading and writing, not reading comprehension.
How many children in Tanzania finish primary school?
Tanzania's primary completion rate was 77.3% in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. It was 89.3% in 2023 and 74.4% in 2021.
The rate compares the number of pupils entering the last grade of primary school with the number of children of that age. It can move sharply when the size of a cohort or the structure of schooling changes, so single years should be read with care. National examination results are published by the National Examinations Council.
How many young people in Tanzania go to secondary school?
Gross enrolment in secondary education in Tanzania was 28.2% in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. It was 30.9% in 2020.
The rate compares the number of secondary pupils with the population of secondary school age, so a low figure means many young people of that age are not in secondary school. Gross enrolment in tertiary education was 4.0% in 2024, according to the World Bank.
Government spending on education in Tanzania was 3.16% of GDP in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. It was 3.26% in 2023 and 3.12% in 2021.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government on schools, universities and other education. Education output grew 11.2% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Primary schools had about 51 pupils per teacher in 2018, according to the World Bank.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
What share of children in Tanzania go to primary school?
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Tanzania was 81.3% in 2018. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 90.7%, and Tanzania placed 13th highest of 19. World rank, highest first: 56th of 69.
How many children in Tanzania go to secondary school?
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2021, is 28.2%. The peak was 32.4% in 2013 and the low 25.6% in 2016. It is 22nd highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 55.4%. Worldwide: 139th of 140.
How many students are in higher education in Tanzania?
4.0%: that is gross tertiary enrolment in Tanzania for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 7.2%; its low point was 2005, at 1.4%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12.9%; Tanzania is 14th highest of 14. Worldwide: 89th of 90.
What is the literacy rate in Tanzania?
78.2%: that is the adult literacy rate in Tanzania for 2022, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That compares with 79.9% in 2014. It is 4th highest of 12 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 62.8%. Of 44 countries with 2022 data, 33rd highest.
What is Tanzania's education spending?
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Tanzania was 3.2% of GDP in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 4.6% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 3.0% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.6% of GDP, and Tanzania placed 10th highest of 11. Worldwide: 31st of 36.
How many pupils are there per teacher in Tanzania?
51: that is the number of primary pupils per teacher in Tanzania for 2018, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 42 (2016) to 56 (2005). It is 4th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 39. Of 85 countries with 2018 data, 4th highest.
What share of children in Tanzania finish primary school?
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 77.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 55.8% (2005) to 100.6% (2009). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 77.3%; Tanzania is 10th highest of 19. Worldwide: 89th of 104.