Tanzania Set To Exit Group Of Poorest Nations In The World

The implementation of the 2025 Vision has yielded significant successes, notably elevating the nation into the category of low-middle income countries in 2020. Moreover, in a significant development this year, 2024, the United Nations has initiated the process of removing Tanzania from the group of least developed countries.

In terms of specific development indicators, the poverty rate has seen a notable decline from 36% in 2000 to 26.4% in 2018. Food poverty has decreased from 19% in 2000 to 8% in 2018, while under-five mortality per 1000 live births has dropped from 147 in 1996 to 43 in 2022. Access to essential medicines in health facilities has surged from 64% in 2015 to nearly 80% in 2022.

Primary school enrollment has risen from 69% in 1999 to 97% in 2022, and the primary school completion rate has increased from 22% in 2000 to 80% in 2020. Additionally, access to clean and safe water in rural areas has climbed from 50% to 79.6% in 2023.

Despite these commendable achievements, the nation still grapples with various challenges. Moreover, our success rates are comparatively low when compared to Southeast Asian countries, with which we were nearly on par in the 1960s. The basic needs poverty rate of 26.4%, affecting 16.3 million people, remains unacceptably high.

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Furthermore, a stunting rate of 30% in a food surplus nation is unsatisfactory if we aim to build a robust workforce, stated Dr. Mpango.

Speaking at the First National Conference on the Preparation of the National Development Vision 2050 held at Nkurumah Hall, University of Dar es Salaam, on Saturday, June 08, 2024, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango, emphasized the need to address these challenges and build on the nation’s successes as it strives for further development.