Poverty and living standards in Mwanza, Tanzania: official figures
34.6% of people in Mwanza lived below the basic-needs poverty line (TSh 49,320 per adult a month) in the 2017-18 Household Budget Survey, 5th highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 26.4%); 9.4% 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 Mwanza spend?
Households in Mwanza spent an average of TSh 74,003 per adult a month on food and other consumption in 2017-18 (Mainland: TSh 94,997), 9th lowest of the 26 Mainland regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Mwanza have a proper toilet?
66.2% of households in Mwanza had an improved toilet at the 2022 census and 3.9% had no toilet at all (Tanzania: 60.2% and 5.6%); the improved share is 13th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyDo households in Mwanza have clean water?
71.7% of households in Mwanza drew their drinking water from an improved source such as a tap, borehole or protected well in 2022 (Tanzania: 70.1%), 15th 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 Mwanza cook with?
79.9% of households in Mwanza cooked mainly with firewood or charcoal in 2022 and 10.3% 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 Mwanza?
Police recorded 412 offences against the person (such as assault, rape and murder) in Mwanza in 2025, against 444 in 2024: about 10 per 100,000 residents, joint 4th lowest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 17).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Mwanza?
34 people were killed in road accidents recorded by police in Mwanza in 2025, 3.3% of the 1,042 road deaths on the Mainland.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- 91.1% of households in Mwanza lived in houses built of modern materials (the census measure of an improved house) in 2022 (Tanzania: 77.9%), 6th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions. Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copy
How Mwanza compares with other regions
People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) (2017-18)
Mwanza ranks 5 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Simiyu | 39.2% |
| 3 | Lindi | 38.0% |
| 4 | Geita | 37.5% |
| 5 | Mwanza | 34.6% |
| 6 | Tabora | 34.5% |
| 7 | Kigoma | 34.5% |
| 8 | Singida | 34.0% |
Households with an improved toilet (2022)
Mwanza ranks 13 of 31, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with an improved toilet |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Arusha | 68.9% |
| 11 | Pwani | 67.5% |
| 12 | Kaskazini Pemba | 66.8% |
| 13 | Mwanza | 66.2% |
| 14 | Morogoro | 61.9% |
| 15 | Tanga | 61.2% |
| 16 | Songwe | 56.6% |
More on Mwanza: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.