Features

61.7 Million. That’s the Current Population of Tanzania

Of them, 31,687,990 are women while 30,053,130 are men. 59,851,347 live in Tanzania Mainland while the remaining 1,889,773 reside in Zanzibar.

Lukelo Francis

October 31, 2022

subscribe to our newsletter!

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday announced the results of the 2022 Population and Housing Census, revealing that Tanzania’s population as of October 31, 2022, stands at 61,741,120 million, calling the number “a big burden for the nation.”

The new population figure suggests that a total of 16,812,197 increment since the last census was conducted in 2012. By that time, Tanzania’s population stood at 44.9 million. This is an increase of 16 per cent.

Of the current 61.7 million people, 31,687,990 (51 per cent) are women while 30,053,130 (49 per cent) are men. A total of 59,851,347 live in Tanzania Mainland while the remaining 1,889,773 reside in Zanzibar.

In terms of buildings, the 2022 Population and Housing Census results show that there are a total of 14,348,372 buildings in Tanzania, with 13,907,951 of them located on Tanzania Mainland while the remaining 440,421 are located in Zanzibar.

Speaking during a function of results announcement in the capital Dodoma on Monday, President Samia said that finally, Tanzania has concluded the census exercise that it undertook “with great enthusiasm.”

“It is possible that the number is not a headache for a big country like ours but it is a big burden for the nation, society and economy,” the Head of State observed.

“From now on there should be in place effective strategies on development plans on how to serve those 61.7 million people,” Samia, who doubles as the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) national chairperson, directed.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Statistician General Albina Chuwa said that the results of population and housing are the official results and after detailed analysis, they will be included in the policies of various plans of the country.

“The results are the official results of this country,” Dr Chuwa noted. “We will continue to ensure the proper use of these statistics in the country’s development processes.”

Dr Chuwa also noted that what remains now is the detailed analysis of education issues, professional activities, the housing where people live and their environment as recorded in the 2022 Population and Housing Census.

Lukelo Francis is The Chanzo journalist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He can be reached at lukelo@thechanzo.com.