Poverty and living standards in Mbeya, Tanzania: official figures
21.4% of people in Mbeya lived below the basic-needs poverty line (TSh 49,320 per adult a month) in the 2017-18 Household Budget Survey, 7th lowest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 26.4%); 7.7% could not afford even the minimum food basket (Mainland: 8.0%). This is the latest official regional poverty survey; results of the 2024-25 survey are not yet published.
How much do households in Mbeya spend?
Households in Mbeya spent an average of TSh 100,269 per adult a month on food and other consumption in 2017-18 (Mainland: TSh 94,997), 7th highest of the 26 Mainland regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Mbeya have a proper toilet?
70.4% of households in Mbeya had an improved toilet at the 2022 census and 2.7% had no toilet at all (Tanzania: 60.2% and 5.6%); the improved share is 9th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyDo households in Mbeya have clean water?
76.9% of households in Mbeya drew their drinking water from an improved source such as a tap, borehole or protected well in 2022 (Tanzania: 70.1%), 11th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyWhat fuel do households in Mbeya cook with?
83.0% of households in Mbeya cooked mainly with firewood or charcoal in 2022 and 8.5% with gas (Tanzania: 81.6% and 9.2%).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyHow much crime is there in Mbeya?
Police recorded 482 offences against the person (such as assault, rape and murder) in Mbeya in 2025, against 478 in 2024: about 19 per 100,000 residents, joint 8th highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 17).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Mbeya?
56 people were killed in road accidents recorded by police in Mbeya in 2025, 5.4% of the 1,042 road deaths on the Mainland.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- 89.9% of households in Mbeya lived in houses built of modern materials (the census measure of an improved house) in 2022 (Tanzania: 77.9%), 8th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions. Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copy
How Mbeya compares with other regions
People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) (2017-18)
Mbeya ranks 20 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Iringa | 24.0% |
| 18 | Dodoma | 23.2% |
| 19 | Mara | 23.2% |
| 20 | Mbeya | 21.4% |
| 21 | Tanga | 21.0% |
| 22 | Songwe | 20.7% |
| 23 | Morogoro | 19.3% |
Households with an improved toilet (2022)
Mbeya ranks 9 of 31, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with an improved toilet |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Kilimanjaro | 82.4% |
| 7 | Njombe | 80.3% |
| 8 | Kusini Pemba | 77.9% |
| 9 | Mbeya | 70.4% |
| 10 | Arusha | 68.9% |
| 11 | Pwani | 67.5% |
| 12 | Kaskazini Pemba | 66.8% |
More on Mbeya: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · Tanzania
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: Household Budget Survey 2017-18, Tanzania Mainland, Key Indicators Report: Tables 4.1 and 4.3 (consumption and poverty by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 61cf58d49ba9…)
- 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…)
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