National Debt (% of GDP): Tanzania

Analysis# Tanzania National Debt (% of GDP) Tanzania's national debt reached 48.3% of GDP in 2026, approaching levels not seen since the early 2000s. The country peaked at 50.8% in 2001 before improving significantly to a historic low of 17.4% in 2006. Since 2001, the overall debt burden has declined by 4.9%, yet recent years show a concerning reversal of that progress. A sharp upward trend emerged from 2017 onward, with debt climbing from 40.1% to the current 48.3%—a nine-year accumulation pattern that gained particular momentum after 2022. The data suggests stabilization in 2025-2026, though the trajectory remains elevated relative to mid-2000s levels. This sustained pressure reflects structural fiscal challenges that warrant ongoing monitoring.