Why is Zanzibar considered a third-world country?

The question “Is Zanzibar a third-world country?” This question is commonly raised by tourists, learners, and individuals exploring information about Africa in 2025. The short answer is no—but the full explanation is more nuanced and much more interesting.

Zanzibar is not a country, it is not classified as “third world,” and the term itself is largely outdated. To understand Zanzibar’s real status today, we must look at history, economics, governance, human development, and how global classifications actually work in the modern world.

This in-depth guide explains everything clearly, using modern definitions and real-world indicators rather than outdated labels.

Understanding the Term “Third World” in 2025

Before judging Zanzibar, it is essential to understand what “third world” really means.

Where the Term Came From

The label “Third World” was created during the Cold War to describe certain global alignments:

• First World – Western capitalist countries (US, UK, Western Europe)

• Second World – Territories influenced by Soviet-led communism across Eastern Europe and surrounding regions

• Third World – Countries aligned with neither side

This classification had nothing to do with poverty or development at the time.

Why the Term Is Outdated

By 2025, the term is widely considered:

• Inaccurate

• Politically outdated

• Overly simplistic

• Often offensive

Today, economists and global institutions use terms like:

• Low-income

• Lower-middle-income

• Upper-middle-income

• Developing economy

• Emerging economy

Zanzibar is never officially labeled “third world” by the World Bank, IMF, or United Nations.

Is Zanzibar a Country?

No. Zanzibar is not an independent country.

Zanzibar’s Political Status

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania, located off East Africa’s coast in the Indian Ocean. It consists mainly of:

• Unguja Island (often called Zanzibar Island)

• Pemba Island

Zanzibar has:

• Its own local government

• Its own president and parliament

• Control over internal affairs

However:

• Foreign policy

• Defense

• Currency

• Citizenship

are managed by the Tanzanian federal government

So calling Zanzibar a “third-world country” is factually incorrect—it is not a country at all.

Zanzibar’s Economic Reality in 2025

Zanzibar’s economy is developing, diverse, and growing—though still facing challenges.

Key Economic Sectors

1. Tourism (Primary Economic Driver)

Tourism is the backbone of Zanzibar’s economy:

• White-sand beaches

• Luxury resorts

• Cultural tourism (Stone Town, UNESCO heritage)

• Eco-tourism and marine experiences

Tourism provides:

• Foreign currency

• Employment

• Infrastructure investment

2. Agriculture and Spices

Zanzibar is globally known as the “Spice Islands.”
Major exports include:

• Cloves

• Nutmeg

• Cinnamon

• Seaweed

Seaweed farming alone employs tens of thousands of people, particularly women, and has become a significant export industry.

3. Trade and Small Business

Local entrepreneurship, fishing, and cross-border trade with mainland Tanzania continue to grow steadily.

Is Zanzibar Poor in 2025?

Zanzibar experiences economic inequality, but poverty does not define the entire region.

Reality on the Ground

• Urban areas have growing middle-income households

• Rural areas face infrastructure and employment gaps

• Access to clean water and electricity has improved

• Mobile banking and digital services are widespread

Zanzibar benefits from Tanzania’s broader economic growth, which has averaged strong GDP expansion over the past decades.

This places Zanzibar in the category of a developing region, not a failed or impoverished society.

Human Development Indicators

Education

• Primary education enrollment is high

• Literacy rates continue improving

• Expansion of vocational and tourism-focused training

Healthcare

• Public healthcare access is widespread

• Maternal and child health indicators are improving

• Challenges remain in specialized medical care

Infrastructure

• New roads and ports

• Expanding renewable energy projects

• Improved internet and mobile connectivity

These indicators are inconsistent with the outdated “third-world” stereotype.

Zanzibar vs “Third World” Stereotypes

Zanzibar clearly does not fit the old third-world narrative.

Political Stability and Governance

Zanzibar has experienced political tensions in the past, but it operates within Tanzania’s relatively stable national framework.

• Regular elections

• Autonomous regional government

• Legal and administrative institutions

While governance challenges exist, Zanzibar functions as an organized political entity, not a collapsed or unstable territory.

How International Organizations Classify Zanzibar

No major global institution classifies Zanzibar as “third world.”

Instead:

• Tanzania is classified as a lower-middle-income country

• Zanzibar is evaluated as a developing region within Tanzania

• Development programs focus on sustainability, tourism, and climate adaptation.

Why People Still Ask This Question

1. Outdated Language

Many people still use “third world” as a casual term without understanding its origins.

2. Media Misrepresentation

African regions are often portrayed through:

• Poverty-focused narratives

• Conflict-heavy coverage

• Lack of economic context

3. Tourism Curiosity

Visitors want to know:

• Is it safe?

• Is it modern?

• What standard of living exists?

These questions are valid—but the term itself is not.

Is Zanzibar Developed or Developing?

The most accurate description in 2025 is:

Zanzibar is a developing, semi-autonomous region with a growing tourism-driven economy and improving human development indicators.

It is neither “third world” nor fully developed—just like many regions across Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Final Answer: Is Zanzibar a Third-World Country in 2025?

No.

✔ Zanzibar is not a country
✔ The term “third world” is outdated
✔ Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, a lower-middle-income nation
✔ It has a growing economy, strong tourism sector, and improving infrastructure

Zanzibar in 2025 is best described as:

• Developing

• Culturally rich

• Economically evolving

• Globally connected

Understanding Zanzibar through modern development lenses—not Cold War labels—provides a far more accurate and respectful picture.