Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tanzania Today
Nyerere's Legacy
Tanzania today is at its half-century mark, and still indebted to Julius Nyerere, who was at
the country's helm for the first 25 years of its existence. Impelled by an egalitarian social vis-
ion, Nyerere introduced Swahili as a unifying national language, instilled ideals of
ujamaa
(familyhood) and initiated a tradition of regional political engagement. Thanks to this vision,
Tanzania today is one of Africa's most stable countries, and religious and ethnic conflicts
are close to nonexistent.
Economic Woes
»Population: 42.7 million (26% urban dwelling)
»Per capita GDP: US$1500
»Inflation: 7%
»Economic growth rate: 6%
»Life Expectancy: 53 years
»Mobile phones per 100 people: 41
On the economic front, there is less reason to be pleased. Tanzania is ranked near the bottom
on the UNDP Human Development Index (148th out of 169 countries in a recent listing),
and daily life for many remains a struggle. Unemployment averages about 15% and under-
employment is widespread.
