Tanzania Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Tanzania's reserves in months of imports was 5.4 in 2018, ranked 52nd globally. This represents a 21.1% decrease from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2018.
Overview
Tanzania's reserves in months of imports stood at 5.4 in 2018, a decline of +1.4 from 2017. Tanzania ranked 52nd globally.
Tanzania’s foreign‑exchange reserves covered 5.39 months of imports in 2018, placing the country 52nd globally and slightly above peers such as Angola (5.41 months) and Moldova (5.25 months). The indicator has risen markedly since the early 1980s, when reserves fell to an all‑time trough of 0.05 months in 1982, reflecting severe balance‑of‑payments pressures. A sustained build‑up followed, culminating in a peak of 8.32 months in 2003 as export earnings and external debt relief expanded the reserve base. Over the 43‑year series, the average has trended upward, though the 2018 level remains below the 2003 high, suggesting that recent fiscal consolidation and modest export growth have stabilized reserves without reaching prior peaks. Continued diversification of export markets and prudent monetary policy could lift the reserve coverage further, while external shocks or deteriorating terms of trade would likely reverse the modest upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5.4 | −1.4 | #52 |
| 2017 | 6.8 | +1.6 | #44 |
| 2016 | 5.2 | +0.9 | #69 |
| 2015 | 4.3 | +0.6 | #77 |
| 2014 | 3.7 | −0.2 | #85 |
| 2013 | 3.9 | +0.3 | #85 |
| 2012 | 3.6 | +0.2 | #97 |
| 2011 | 3.5 | −1.3 | #91 |
| 2010 | 4.8 | −0.4 | #74 |
| 2009 | 5.2 | +1.4 | #68 |
| 2008 | 3.8 | −1.4 | #60 |
| 2007 | 5.2 | +0.0 | #47 |
| 2006 | 5.2 | −0.1 | #38 |
| 2005 | 5.3 | −2.0 | #32 |
| 2004 | 7.3 | −1.0 | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's reserves in months of imports was 5.4 in 2018. Ranked 52nd globally. This represents a 21.1% decrease from the previous year.
Tanzania's reserves in months of imports peaked at 8.3 in 2003.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Tanzania was 0.0 in 1982.
Tanzania ranks 52nd globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
The reserves in months of imports of Tanzania in 2018 was 5.4. This ranks 52nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Tanzania Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}