Poverty and living standards in Mtwara, Tanzania: official figures
29.1% of people in Mtwara lived below the basic-needs poverty line (TSh 49,320 per adult a month) in the 2017-18 Household Budget Survey, 13th highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 26.4%); 9.0% 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 Mtwara spend?
Households in Mtwara spent an average of TSh 98,090 per adult a month on food and other consumption in 2017-18 (Mainland: TSh 94,997), 8th highest of the 26 Mainland regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Mtwara have a proper toilet?
47.5% of households in Mtwara 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 10th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyDo households in Mtwara have clean water?
66.3% of households in Mtwara drew their drinking water from an improved source such as a tap, borehole or protected well in 2022 (Tanzania: 70.1%), 13th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyWhat fuel do households in Mtwara cook with?
91.4% of households in Mtwara cooked mainly with firewood or charcoal in 2022 and 2.8% 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 Mtwara?
Police recorded 285 offences against the person (such as assault, rape and murder) in Mtwara in 2025, against 287 in 2024: about 16 per 100,000 residents, joint 12th highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 17).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Mtwara?
20 people were killed in road accidents recorded by police in Mtwara in 2025, 1.9% of the 1,042 road deaths on the Mainland.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- 64.7% of households in Mtwara lived in houses built of modern materials (the census measure of an improved house) in 2022 (Tanzania: 77.9%), 6th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions. Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copy
How Mtwara compares with other regions
People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) (2017-18)
Mtwara ranks 13 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Kagera | 31.9% |
| 11 | Ruvuma | 30.6% |
| 12 | Manyara | 30.5% |
| 13 | Mtwara | 29.1% |
| 14 | Katavi | 29.0% |
| 15 | Pwani | 27.9% |
| 16 | Arusha | 24.7% |
Households with an improved toilet (2022)
Mtwara ranks 22 of 31, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with an improved toilet |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Dodoma | 54.5% |
| 20 | Mara | 50.8% |
| 21 | Shinyanga | 48.6% |
| 22 | Mtwara | 47.5% |
| 23 | Katavi | 47.0% |
| 24 | Lindi | 46.6% |
| 25 | Singida | 38.6% |
More on Mtwara: 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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