Tanzania Government Debt to GDP
General government gross debt as % of GDP GGXWDG_NGDP
Tanzania's government debt to gdp was 49.59% in 2025, ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's government debt to gdp stood at 49.59% in 2025, a decline of +0.28% from 2024. The IMF projects 49.59% by 2025. Tanzania ranked 104th globally.
Tanzania’s general government debt stood at 49.59 % of GDP in 2025, placing the country 104th in the world and just below peers such as Madagascar (49.75 %) and Nepal (49.28 %). The ratio has hovered around the mid‑fifties for most of the 25‑year series, reaching an all‑time high of 50.77 % in 2001 before falling sharply to a trough of 17.44 % in 2006, a decline driven by fiscal consolidation and lower external borrowing after the early‑2000s commodity price slump. Since the trough, debt has gradually risen, reflecting expanded public investment in infrastructure and social services, as well as increased fiscal deficits amid pandemic‑related spending. The recent figure remains only marginally lower than the 2001 peak, indicating that the post‑trough upward trajectory has largely persisted. Continued improvements in revenue mobilization and prudent borrowing will be essential to reverse the modest upward drift and bring the debt‑to‑GDP ratio back toward historic lows.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Debt to GDP | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 42.86% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 43.97% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 45.24% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 46.71% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 48.26% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 49.59% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.59% | −0.28% | #104 |
| 2024 | 49.86% | +2.06% | #79 |
| 2023 | 47.80% | +2.95% | #76 |
| 2022 | 44.85% | +1.46% | #67 |
| 2021 | 43.39% | +2.13% | #56 |
| 2020 | 41.27% | +0.83% | #40 |
| 2019 | 40.44% | −1.60% | #63 |
| 2018 | 42.03% | +1.92% | #78 |
| 2017 | 40.11% | +0.31% | #69 |
| 2016 | 39.80% | +0.27% | #68 |
| 2015 | 39.52% | +3.12% | #75 |
| 2014 | 36.41% | +3.73% | #79 |
| 2013 | 32.68% | +2.63% | #75 |
| 2012 | 30.05% | +1.62% | #68 |
| 2011 | 28.43% | +0.82% | #62 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw government debt to gdp improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's government debt to gdp was 49.59% in 2025. Ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Tanzania's government debt to gdp peaked at 50.77% in 2001.
The lowest government debt to gdp in Tanzania was 17.44% in 2006.
Tanzania ranks 104th globally in government debt to gdp as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXWDG_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Tanzania's government debt to gdp is projected to reach 49.59% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government debt to gdp of Tanzania in 2025 was 49.59%. This ranks 104th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_government-debt-to-gdp,
title = {Tanzania Government Debt to GDP},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/government-debt-to-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}