Updated
Overview
Tanzania has about 35% more people than Uganda: 70.55 million against 51.38 million (2025).
Tanzania's economy is about 45% larger than Uganda's, at $90.14B versus $61.99B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Tanzania | Uganda | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $90.14B | $61.99B | 2025 | $78.78B / $53.65B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,319 | $1,206 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.9% | Higher: 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 3.6% | 2025 | 3.1% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.6% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 35 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $212 | $161 | 2024 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $58 | $35 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 70.55 million | 51.38 million | 2025 | 69.15 million / 50.86 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 17.5 yrs | 16.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.47 | 4.06 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.2 yrs | Higher: 68.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 37% | 32% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 31% | 9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 945,087 km² | 241,550 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 74.6/km² | 212.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 20 Mt | Lower: 6.33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.3 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $920.85M | $1.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 28,000 | 46,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.9% for Tanzania, 6.3% for Uganda).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Tanzania and 3.6% in Uganda.
Average monthly earnings favour Tanzania: $212 against $161 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 17.5 (Tanzania) and 16.9 (Uganda).
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Uganda (68.5 vs 67.2).
Internet adoption is higher in Tanzania (31% vs 9% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Tanzania is 3.9 times the size of Uganda: 945,087 km² versus 241,550 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Uganda is far more densely settled: 213 people per km² against 75.
Military
Uganda spends 21% more on defence than Tanzania: $1.12B versus $920.85M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Uganda fields the larger armed forces: 46,000 personnel against 28,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Tanzania bigger than Uganda?
- Tanzania is larger by land area. Tanzania covers 945,087 km² while Uganda covers 241,550 km², so Tanzania is 3.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Tanzania or Uganda?
- Tanzania has the larger population: 70.55 million versus 51.38 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Tanzania richer than Uganda?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Tanzania is richer: $1,319 against $1,206. Total GDP tells the same story: $90.14B for Tanzania versus $61.99B for Uganda.
- Who spends more on their military, Tanzania or Uganda?
- Uganda spends more: $1.12B versus $920.85M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).