Tanzania - Society

Population: 41,464,000 (2008); 25% lives in urban areas and 7% in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million people; growth 3.2% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.7% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 40 per 1,000 people (50 in 1970); life expectancy 52 years (45 in 1970).

Most of the people are of Bantu origin, with some 120 ethnic groups on the mainland, none of which exceeds 10% of the population. The biggest group is the Sukuma; others include Nyamwezi, Masai, Haya Gogo, Chagga, Nyaliyusa and Hehe. The population also includes Asian and expatriate minorities.

Religion: (on mainland) Muslims 35%, Christians 30%, with most of the rest holding traditional beliefs; (in Zanzibar) Muslims virtually 100%.

Language: The official language is Kiswahili (which is universally spoken in addition to various other African languages), and is the medium of instruction in primary schools. English is the second official language, the country’s commercial language, and also the teaching language in secondary schools and higher education.

Media: The government-owned Daily News is published in English; Uhuru, owned by the ruling party (CCM), is published in Kiswahili. There are several independent newspapers including The Guardian and Daily Mail, plus the weeklies Arusha Times, Business Times and The Express.

The first private television channel was launched in mainland Tanzania in 1994 and government-owned TV followed in 2001. TV viewing is becoming more popular and is gradually taking over from radio’s traditional dominance. Television channels include the state-run Televisheni ya Taifa (TVT); private networks include Independent Television and Dar es Salaam Television.

Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam (RTD) and Parapanda Radio Tanzania (PRT) are the two state-run radio stations. Additionally, there are numerous private radio stations in urban areas. Some of these carry news bulletins from international radio stations – including the BBC, Voice of America and Germany’s Deutsche Welle.

There are no private broadcasters or newspapers in Zanzibar, though many locals can receive mainland broadcasters and read the mainland press. TV Zanzibar and Voice of Tanzania-Zanzibar radio station are both state operated.

There are 41 TV sets (2003), seven personal computers (2004) and ten internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: There are seven years of compulsory education starting at age seven (2002/03). The primary net enrolment ratio is 98% (2006). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 52:1 (2006). The school year starts in January.

About 1% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). The principal public universities are: University of Dar es Salaam, Sokoine University of Agriculture and Open University of Tanzania (which was established for distance education in 1995). There are a number of private universities including Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, and the International Medical and Technological University. Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 22.5% (2006).

Health: Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, is the country’s principal referral centre and teaching hospital. Other referral hospitals are at Moshi, Mwanza and Mbeya. 55% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 33% of people have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 74 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (142 in 1960). At the end of 2005, 5.9% of people age 15 and over were HIV positive.

Communications: Country code 255. There are many public phone boxes in post offices and main towns. Mobile phone coverage is limited to urban areas, but there are roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies.

Internet cafes can be found in main urban areas, and are affordable and efficient; those in more remote towns rely on satellite access and charge higher rates. Postal services are good and the main office in Dar es Salaam has an internet cafe.

There are six main telephone lines and 204 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Zanzibar Revolution Day (12 January, 1964), Heroes’ Day (7 April, Zanzibar only), Union Day (26 April), International Labour Day (1 May), Saba Saba (Industry Day, 7 July), Nane Nane (Farmers’ Day, 8 August), Nyerere Day (14 October), Independence and Republic Day (9 December) and Christmas Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Prophet’s Birthday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).