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The following is the situation of the country that we are working continuously to improve.
Tanzania, with a population of 29.1 million (government estimates 1997), is among the least developed countries in the world and one of the world's poorest and most heavily indebted countries. The country has a stable political history and a peaceful environment. The transition to multiparty democracy has been smooth, although most of the opposition parties have yet to grow into political maturity.
The socioeconomic situation in Tanzania is poor for a host of reasons. These reasons include an influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda; the recent effects of El Nino weather conditions; the national debt; structural adjustment programs; the deterioration of the society's moral web; globalization; and religious fundamentalism.
Specifically the socioeconomic situation in Tanzania can be summarized as follows:
- The economy grew by 3.3% in 1997, below the expected target of 5.0%; the inflation rate has continued to fall (below 15% in 1998); of special interest is the decrease in the growth of the agricultural sector in 1997, which contributes to about 50.1% of the GDP. The per capita income was TShs. 147,134 in 1997.
- Despite economic growth attained as a result of liberalization and privitization of the economy, many people live below the poverty line. Many people have also suffered cutbacks in income, affecting the extended family. Cost sharing in the social services has compelled people to stay away from hospitals and avoid sending their children to school.
- The cost of social services like education, electricity, water, and health care have gone upÑmainly because they have been affected by the debt and structural adjustment. Since almost half the population is below the poverty line, these added fiscal responsibilities have even further deepened poverty. This situation has been worsened by the fact that the government is spending more than 30% of its revenue to service foreign debt. As a result, the government cannot fully afford to pay for education, health, and other basic services.
- The total external debt of Tanzania is about $8 billion (US). Although there have been some appeals to cancel and/or reschedule, very few responses have been received.
Other Issues
Jubilee 2000. The Jubilee 2000 campaign is gaining ground in Tanzania with the churches and NGOs increasing efforts in advocacy and lobbying. But the socioeconomic infrastructure has not been good and has been further impacted by El Nino weather conditions. Carrying on economic development agendas with poor infrastructure is very costly and time consuming.
Refugees. The problem of the influx of refugees, especially from Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo is still acute. The western regions of Kigoma and Kagera are hard hit by this problem, which has resulted in devastation of the environment through cutting trees, lack of good sanitation, overcrowding, difficulties in providing safe water and other services (health, education, etc).
Religion. Religious fundamentalism is still on the increase. Recent clashes between government paramilitary police and Muslim fundamentalists at Mwembechai in Dar es Salaam are a case in point. The government is taking measures to contain the situation.
Bombing. A sad event that we shall remember for a long time was the bombing of the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam in August 1998. More than 15 people were killed, and scores injured. (A similar attack was made in Nairobi, Kenya, where hundreds of people were killed.) Although the attackers are yet to be arrested, initial evidence points to the work of a militant Islamic fundamentalist group based in Afghanistan.
Life Expectancy. According to the UN Human Development Report of 1998, the Human Development Index (HDI) has declined for the third consecutive year to 150 in 1998. This shows a poor performance of the socio-economic sectors. Tanzania's average life expectancy at birth has declined from 56 years, at the beginning of this decade, to 51 years in 1998. Only 38 percent of the population has access to safe water this year, as compared to 39 percent during the late 1980s. The gross school enrolment ratio for all levels (ages 6-23 years) has also dropped from 44 percent in 1980 to 34 percent in 1995.
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