Mbeya: population and official figures
What is the population of Mbeya?
Mbeya had 541,603 inhabitants (city proper) on 23 August 2022, according to a complete census (people present) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Mbeya rank among cities in Tanzania?
Of the 7 cities the UN table lists for Tanzania (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 5th largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Mbeya?
Women and girls made up 53.1% of residents (287,790 female, 253,813 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs Mbeya?
In Tanzania, cities and towns are run by districts: Councillors elected by ward with the general election; mayor or chair elected by councillors; council director appointed civil servant; district commissioner appointed by the president. Primary education, health, water, local roads, agriculture extension, local taxes.
How local power works in Tanzania
Cities of a similar size in Tanzania
- Dar es Salaam 5,383,728
- Dodoma 765,179
- Arusha 617,631
- Mwanza 594,834
- Tanga 393,429
Up a level: all cities in Tanzania · Tanzania · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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