Tanzania: health and care

What is life expectancy in Tanzania?

Life expectancy at birth in Tanzania was 67.2 years in 2024, up from 66.1 in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UN population estimates.

Life expectancy is an average across the whole population and is pulled down by deaths in childhood. Infant mortality fell from 32.1 to 28.7 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2021 and 2024, according to the World Bank. The figures are modelled estimates rather than counts from death registration.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Tanzania · World Bank: infant mortality, Tanzania

What is the child mortality rate in Tanzania?

37 children in every 1,000 born alive in Tanzania died before their fifth birthday in 2024, down from 41.7 in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The infant mortality rate, deaths before the age of one, was 28.7 per 1,000, according to the World Bank.

The figures are modelled estimates by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which combine surveys and other data. The fertility rate was 4.5 children per woman in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: under-5 mortality, Tanzania · World Bank: infant mortality, Tanzania · World Bank: fertility rate, Tanzania

How common is malaria in Tanzania?

There were 136.7 new malaria cases per 1,000 people at risk in Tanzania in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use World Health Organization estimates. The rate was 133.3 in 2021.

The figure is a modelled estimate that adjusts reported cases for people who are not tested or do not visit health facilities. The World Health Organization publishes country malaria data in its World Malaria Report.

Official sources: World Bank: malaria incidence, Tanzania · World Health Organization: Tanzania

How common is HIV in Tanzania?

There were 1.1 new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected adults aged 15 to 49 in Tanzania in 2024, down from 2.0 in 2021, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNAIDS estimates.

The rate measures new infections in a year, not the number of people living with HIV. It has fallen every year since 2021. The figures are modelled estimates based on surveys and data from clinics.

Official sources: World Bank: HIV incidence, Tanzania

How much does Tanzania spend on health?

Tanzania spent 3.05% of GDP on health in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use World Health Organization data. Patients paid 27.9% of health spending out of their own pockets, according to the World Bank.

There were 0.13 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022, according to the World Bank. Health was among the fastest-growing activities in the first quarter of 2026, up 13.0%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Tanzania · World Bank: out-of-pocket expenditure, Tanzania · World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Tanzania · NBS: Highlights on the first quarter GDP of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2026 (PDF)

How many children in Tanzania are stunted?

30% of children under five in Tanzania were stunted, meaning too short for their age, in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use survey data compiled by UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank.

The rate was 34.5% in 2015, 31.8% in 2018 and 32.7% in 2021. Stunting reflects long-term undernutrition and repeated illness in early childhood. The figures come from household surveys that measure children's height, so they are available only for some years.

Official sources: World Bank: prevalence of stunting, Tanzania

What is life expectancy in Tanzania?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Tanzania at 67.2 years in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3 years. Worldwide: 152nd of 193.

How many babies die in Tanzania?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Tanzania at 28.7 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 39th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 50th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Tanzania?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Tanzania was 276 per 100,000, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 511 per 100,000; its low point was 2022, at 152 per 100,000. It is 23rd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 25th of 192.

What is Tanzania's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Tanzania was 3.1% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.1% of GDP (2020) to 7.6% of GDP (2006). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Tanzania placed 42nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 175th of 191.

How much of health care in Tanzania do patients pay for?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 27.9%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 20.8% (2018) to 34.6% (2009). It is 30th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Worldwide: 94th of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Tanzania?

0.13 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Tanzania for 2022, according to the WHO. In 2014 the figure was 0.06 per 1,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Tanzania placed 32nd highest of 46. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 111th highest.

How many hospital beds does Tanzania have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2022, is 0.84 per 1,000. Since 2009 it has ranged from 0.44 per 1,000 (2018) to 1.0 per 1,000 (2013). It is 6th highest of 8 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 1.6 per 1,000. Of 110 countries with 2022 data, 101st highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Tanzania?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Tanzania was 84.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 80.0% (2021) to 99.0% (2013). It is 21st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 81.0%. World rank, highest first: 128th of 191.