Dar Es Salaam Flag

Dar Es Salaam

Country:
Tanzania
Continent:
Africa

Dar es Salaam's 2025 population is now estimated at 8,561,520In 1950, the population of Dar es Salaam was 83,844Dar es Salaam has grown by 400,290 in the last year, which represents a 4.9% annual change.These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Dar es Salaam, which typically includes Dar es Salaam's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

8.6M
Total Population
400.3K 4.9%
Growth
No
Capital of Tanzania?

Dar es Salaam Population

Dar es Salaam Overview

Dar es Salaam is a city located in Tanzania and was formerly known as Mzizima. It was once the capital city until 1974, when Dodoma was named as the capital. However, today, Dar es Salaam remains the largest city in Tanzania in terms of population. In fact, its population is the largest in all of East Africa. The total population of Dar es Salaam is over 4.3 million.

City Size and Population Density

The city’s land area is 538 square miles (1,393 square kilometers), making the population density 8,100 people per square mile (3,100 per square kilometer).

Demographics

We will rely on national demographics for the area as local statistics are not as detailed. In terms of ethinicity, the majority of the population is African, with a small percentage that includes European, Asian, and Arab.

When examining the religions among the population, we see a large portion as affiliated with Christianity - a total of 61.4%, followed by Muslim at 35.2%, folk religion with 1.8%, other 0.2%, and unaffiliated at 1.4%.

Population Growth

While Dar es Salaam’s population doesn’t seem that large compared to some of the world’s other cities, it is one of the fastest-growing in Africa. In fact, it is the third fastest-growing city in Africa and the ninth fastest-growing in the world. The city’s metro population is expected to grow to over 5 million over the nextDar es Salaam is a city located in Tanzania and was formerly known as Mzizima. It was once the capital city until 1974 when Dodoma was named as the capital. However, today, Dar es Salaam remains the largest city in Tanzania in terms of population. Its population is the largest in all of East Africa. The total population of Dar es Salaam is over 4.3 million.

City Size and Population Density

The city’s land area is 538 square miles (1,393 square kilometers), making the population density 8,100 people per square mile (3,100 per square kilometer).

Demographics

We will rely on national demographics for the area as local statistics are not as detailed. In terms of ethnicity, the majority of the population is African, with a small percentage that includes European, Asian, and Arab.

When examining the religions among the population, we see a large portion as affiliated with Christianity - a total of 61.4%, followed by Muslim at 35.2%, folk religion with 1.8%, other 0.2%, and unaffiliated at 1.4%.

Population Growth

While Dar es Salaam’s population doesn’t seem that large compared to some of the world’s other cities, it is one of the fastest-growing in Africa. It is the third fastest-growing city in Africa and the ninth fastest-growing in the world. The city’s metro population is expected to grow to over 5 million over the next three years. The population is expected to grow so much, that Dar es Salaam is expected to be the second largest city by population in the world by 2100, with a predicted population of 76 million. The annual growth rate is expected to average 4.39% through the year 2020. three years. The population is expected to grow so much, that Dar es Salaam is expected to be the second largest city by population in the world by 2100, with a predicted population of 76 million. The annual growth rate is expected to average 4.39% through the year 2020.

Other Cities in Tanzania

City
2025 Pop.
Growth
Dar es Salaam8,561,5204.9%
Mwanza1,447,3405.03%
Zanzibar873,9824.56%
Mbeya712,3164.73%
Arusha575,9913.9%
Morogoro497,9174.36%
Songea469,9725.38%

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.