Tanzania has dropped 20 places in the Global Peace Index (GPI 2026 report) and now ranks 98th out of 163 countries assessed worldwide.

According to the report released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Tanzania is among the five countries that experienced the largest decline in peacefulness globally this year, with a 7.3% drop. In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Tanzania now ranks 18th.

Main Reasons for the Decline

Tanzania was the second country with the largest decline in peace in this region, with its peace level dropping by 7.3% in the 2026 GPI report.

The main reason for this decline was an increase in internal conflict, which worsened by 15.2%. The biggest blow was a 78.3% increase in deaths resulting from internal unrest, along with an increase in the intensity of that unrest.

Also, citizen safety and security declined by 4%. The main cause of all this was the October 2025 General Election, which was alleged to have flaws, along with a harsh crackdown by security forces against citizens who were protesting.

After that election, security forces carried out an intense crackdown that lasted six days while the internet was shut down. Human rights organizations reported that during that period there were unlawful killings, forced disappearances, and mass arrests of citizens.