Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania

Tanzania: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 57.8% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
57.8%
Change on year
down 2.1%
World rank
22nd
of 72 countries
All-time high
59.0%
in 2016
All-time low
25.5%
in 1992
Years of data
9
1992–2018

Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania, 1992–2018

02040601992200520181992: 25.5 % of children under 6 months1996: 29 % of children under 6 months1999: 31.8 % of children under 6 months2004: 41.3 % of children under 6 months2005: 41.3 % of children under 6 months2010: 48.7 % of children under 6 months2014: 41.1 % of children under 6 months2016: 59 % of children under 6 months2018: 57.8 % of children under 6 months

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.

Analysis

In 2018, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania stood at 57.8%.

The figure is down 2.1% on the previous year and up 18.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania peaked at 59.0% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 25.5%, in 1992.

Tanzania ranks 22nd of 72 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 28.8% 25.5% 31.8% 3
2000s 41.3% 41.3% 41.3% 2
2010s 51.7% 41.1% 59.0% 4

Countries ranked near Tanzania

  1. 19 India 58.0% compare
  2. 19 Mongolia 58.0% compare
  3. 21 Burkina Faso 57.9% compare
  4. 23 Bolivia 55.7% compare
  5. 24 Liberia 55.2% compare
  6. 25 Philippines 54.9% compare

See the full ranking of 72 places →

More reference data data for Tanzania

All data for Tanzania →

Frequently asked questions

What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania?
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Tanzania was 57.8% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Tanzania?
The highest recorded value was 59.0% in 2016.
What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Tanzania?
The lowest recorded value was 25.5% in 1992.
How does Tanzania rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
Tanzania ranks 22nd out of 72 countries with data for 2018.
Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in Tanzania?
Over the last ten years it is up 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Tanzania data come from?
The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Exclusive breastfeeding rate
Unit
% of children under 6 months
Source
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
72 places, 509 data points, 1986–2020
Last refreshed

The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.