Kusini Unguja: population, incomes, poverty, health, schools and living conditions
Kusini Unguja is a region (Zanzibar) of Tanzania, number 31 of 31 by population. The National Bureau of Statistics projects the population of Kusini Unguja (South Unguja) region at 220,102 in 2026, 0.3% of Tanzania's 70.04 million; the smallest of Tanzania's 31 regions. The projection is built from the 2022 census.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Kusini Unguja: Kusini Unguja accounted for 0.3% of the 4,565,960 employees of formal-sector businesses and public bodies in Tanzania in 2024/25 (Employment and Earnings Survey), joint 3rd smallest share of Tanzania's 31 regions.
- Health in Kusini Unguja: 16.7% of children under five in Kusini Unguja were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, and 3.5% were wasted (too thin); stunting is 2nd lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions (Tanzania: 30.0%).
- Education in Kusini Unguja: 93.9% of adults aged 15 and over in Kusini Unguja could read and write at the 2022 census, up from 88.5% in 2012 (Tanzania: 83.0%); 4th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
- Poverty and living standards in Kusini Unguja: In the 2019/20 Zanzibar Household Budget Survey, 21.5% of people in Kati district and 14.8% of people in Kusini district lived below Zanzibar's basic-needs poverty line (Zanzibar: 25.7%). Together these districts held 6.3% of Zanzibar's poor.
How fast is Kusini Unguja's population growing?
The 2022 Population and Housing Census counted 195,873 people in Kusini Unguja, up 80,285 from 115,588 in 2012: growth of 5.3% a year (Tanzania: 3.2% a year), 4th fastest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyHow many households are there in Kusini Unguja?
20.3% of Kusini Unguja's residents lived in urban areas at the 2022 census (Tanzania: 34.9%); 7th least urban of Tanzania's 31 regions. The census counted 46,003 households, with 4.0 people each on average (Tanzania: 4.3).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyHow densely populated is Kusini Unguja?
Kusini Unguja had about 252 people per square kilometre in 2025 (NBS projection; Tanzania: 77), 7th most densely populated of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Kusini Unguja have a birth certificate?
74.0% of Kusini Unguja's residents had a birth certificate at the 2022 census (Tanzania: 28.8%), 2nd highest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyMore figures
- On current trends Kusini Unguja's population is projected to reach 239,718 by 2030, 8.9% more than in 2026 (Tanzania: 10.9%). Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copy
How regions are governed in Tanzania
Regions (31: 26 mainland, 5 Zanzibar). Regional commissioner appointed by the president. Supervise local councils, keep law and order; regional secretariat gives technical advice.
Every tier of government in Tanzania
Other regions of Tanzania
- Dar es Salaam 6,003,954
- Mwanza 4,242,495
- Tabora 3,895,504
- Morogoro 3,569,719
- Dodoma 3,479,323
- Geita 3,476,462
- Kagera 3,419,918
- Tanga 2,932,548
- Kigoma 2,847,496
- Mara 2,732,719
- Arusha 2,662,094
- Mbeya 2,616,176
- Shinyanga 2,558,483
- Simiyu 2,516,511
- Singida 2,298,443
- Pwani 2,245,859
- Manyara 2,161,860
- Ruvuma 2,078,301
- Kilimanjaro 2,061,256
- Rukwa 1,806,971
- Mtwara 1,806,609
- Songwe 1,527,117
- Katavi 1,343,010
- Iringa 1,310,690
- Lindi 1,310,539
- Mjini Magharibi 1,017,138
- Njombe 973,707
- Kaskazini Pemba 318,290
- Kusini Pemba 313,589
- Kaskazini Unguja 291,967
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Sources
- National Bureau of Statistics: Tanzania Statistical Abstract 2025: Tables 3.2, 3.6, 12.3, 12.15, 16.3 and 16.6 (density, birth registration, schools, crime and road deaths by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 65b6dcd7d322…)
- National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar: 2022 Population and Housing Census: Administrative Units Population Distribution Report, Volume 1A (Table 1: population and growth by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6f41eee70eef…)
- Ministry of Health, National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar (with ICF): Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey 2022, Key Indicators Report: Tables 4, 6, 9, 12, 14 and 18 by region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9108bc9f13cf…)
- National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar: Tanzania Formal Sector Employment and Earnings Survey 2024/25: Table 2.10 (employees by region) and Table 6.6 (newly recruited workers by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f21640fc36b0…)
- National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar: 2022 Population and Housing Census: Basic Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile, United Republic of Tanzania (regional tables), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 20ed491aac53…)
- National Bureau of Statistics: National Population Projections 2023-2050, Tables D5.1-D5.2: regional population projections, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 63a0ea088f0d…)
- Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar: Zanzibar Household Budget Survey 2019/2020: Tables 7.3 and 7.4 (poverty by district) and Tables 3.10b and 3.12b (enrolment by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 99e322f888d2…)
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