United Republic of Tanzania. United Nations. Department of International Economic and Social Affairs. United Nations Fund for Population Assistance
Population policy compendium 1980: 1-5
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0259-6369 PMID: 12310425 Document Number: 241382
In the United Republic of Tanzania, no policy of intervention to modify fertility or population growth is espoused by the government. The major emphasis is on adjusting patterns of spatial distribution. Health and family planning programs are supporting elements of rural development policy and do not have specific demographic objectives. Although government has not formulated a global population policy, it has an implicit population policy in such areas as rural development, health, and education. The total population numbers 17,934,000 (1980), and the rate of growth from 1975-80 was 3.1. In the same period of life expectancy at birth was 50.5 years. The crude birth rate was 46.3; the gross reproduction rate was 3.2; and, the net reproduction rate was 2.4. The emigration policy has banned movement to certain countries; a liberal policy encourages rural settlement of refugees. Abortion is illegal. Sterilization is allowed on medical grounds only. The level and trends of morbidity and mortality are unacceptable. The policy orientation is toward preventive, primary care, with emphasis on rural areas. The family planning policy is one of intervention only in respect to family well-being. The government supports family planning, education and communication programs and maternal child health programs.