Tanzania’s population rose to 70.5 m people in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. Neither a higher nor a lower figure is good in itself. More people mean a larger workforce and a bigger domestic market, and they also raise demand for schools, jobs and public services. The latest figure is 70.5 million people in January 2025, up from 68.6 million a year earlier, a rise of 2 million or 2.9%. Since 2016 the series has ranged from 53.8 million to 70.5 million, so the latest reading sits at the top of its range.

Why it matters. A population of 70.5 million gives Tanzanian firms a large home market and a deep pool of potential workers. Growth of 2.9% in a year adds more children to enrol in school and more young adults to find jobs. It also adds to demand for food, housing and energy, and the government has to plan its budgets for that larger base.