Urban Population: Tanzania
Tanzania's urban population is currently 36.2% as of 2024. # Tanzania Urban Population Tanzania's urban population reached 36.
Current (2024)
36.2%
+2.0% y/y
Peak (2024)
36.2%
Low (1960)
4.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Tanzania
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Tanzania
Analysis# Tanzania Urban Population
Tanzania's urban population reached 36.168% in 2024, marking the highest level in recorded history. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 4.888% of the population lived in urban areas—a gain of 639.9% over six decades. The country remains predominantly rural, but the urbanization trajectory is unmistakable and accelerating.
The period from 2015 to 2024 demonstrates consistent annual growth, with the urban share expanding from 31.206% to 36.168%. This steady 5% increase over nine years suggests urbanization is both sustained and accelerating, driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth in cities. If current trends continue, Tanzania's urban population will likely exceed 40% within the next decade, fundamentally reshaping the nation's economic and social structure.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 36.2% | +1.95% |
| 2023 | 35.5% | +1.87% |
| 2022 | 34.8% | +1.38% |
| 2021 | 34.4% | +1.46% |
| 2020 | 33.9% | +1.52% |
| 2019 | 33.3% | +1.58% |
| 2018 | 32.8% | +1.64% |
| 2017 | 32.3% | +1.70% |
| 2016 | 31.8% | +1.77% |
| 2015 | 31.2% | +1.83% |
| 2014 | 30.6% | +1.90% |
| 2013 | 30.1% | +1.98% |
| 2012 | 29.5% | +2.15% |
| 2011 | 28.9% | +2.37% |
| 2010 | 28.2% | +2.54% |
| 2009 | 27.5% | +2.66% |
| 2008 | 26.8% | +2.73% |
| 2007 | 26.1% | +2.75% |
| 2006 | 25.4% | +2.70% |
| 2005 | 24.7% | +2.59% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 24.1% | +2.39% |
| 2003 | 23.5% | +2.12% |
| 2002 | 23.0% | +1.93% |
| 2001 | 22.6% | +1.81% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | +1.71% |
| 1999 | 21.8% | +1.63% |
| 1998 | 21.5% | +1.57% |
| 1997 | 21.1% | +1.53% |
| 1996 | 20.8% | +1.51% |
| 1995 | 20.5% | +1.51% |
| 1994 | 20.2% | +1.54% |
| 1993 | 19.9% | +1.59% |
| 1992 | 19.6% | +1.68% |
| 1991 | 19.3% | +1.79% |
| 1990 | 18.9% | +1.93% |
| 1989 | 18.6% | +2.11% |
| 1988 | 18.2% | +2.21% |
| 1987 | 17.8% | +2.26% |
| 1986 | 17.4% | +2.35% |
| 1985 | 17.0% | +2.47% |
| 1984 | 16.6% | +2.63% |
| 1983 | 16.2% | +2.81% |
| 1982 | 15.7% | +3.05% |
| 1981 | 15.3% | +3.32% |
| 1980 | 14.8% | +3.66% |
| 1979 | 14.2% | +4.12% |
| 1978 | 13.7% | +5.35% |
| 1977 | 13.0% | +7.10% |
| 1976 | 12.1% | +8.74% |
| 1975 | 11.2% | +10.29% |
| 1974 | 10.1% | +11.67% |
| 1973 | 9.1% | +12.78% |
| 1972 | 8.0% | +13.39% |
| 1971 | 7.1% | +13.10% |
| 1970 | 6.3% | +11.47% |
| 1969 | 5.6% | +8.12% |
| 1968 | 5.2% | +3.08% |
| 1967 | 5.0% | +0.74% |
| 1966 | 5.0% | +0.58% |
| 1965 | 5.0% | +0.44% |
| 1964 | 5.0% | +0.34% |
| 1963 | 4.9% | +0.30% |
| 1962 | 4.9% | +0.29% |
| 1961 | 4.9% | +0.35% |
| 1960 | 4.9% | — |
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