Poverty and living standards in Rukwa, Tanzania: official figures
45.0% of people in Rukwa lived below the basic-needs poverty line (TSh 49,320 per adult a month) in the 2017-18 Household Budget Survey, the highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 26.4%); 19.8% 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 Rukwa spend?
Households in Rukwa spent an average of TSh 59,716 per adult a month on food and other consumption in 2017-18 (Mainland: TSh 94,997), the lowest of the 26 Mainland regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Rukwa have a proper toilet?
35.7% of households in Rukwa had an improved toilet at the 2022 census and 3.8% had no toilet at all (Tanzania: 60.2% and 5.6%); the improved share is 5th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyDo households in Rukwa have clean water?
55.8% of households in Rukwa drew their drinking water from an improved source such as a tap, borehole or protected well in 2022 (Tanzania: 70.1%), 5th 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 Rukwa cook with?
93.0% of households in Rukwa cooked mainly with firewood or charcoal in 2022 and 1.9% 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 Rukwa?
Police recorded 183 offences against the person (such as assault, rape and murder) in Rukwa in 2025, against 273 in 2024: about 11 per 100,000 residents, 6th lowest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 17).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Rukwa?
14 people were killed in road accidents recorded by police in Rukwa in 2025, 1.3% of the 1,042 road deaths on the Mainland.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- 73.7% of households in Rukwa lived in houses built of modern materials (the census measure of an improved house) in 2022 (Tanzania: 77.9%), 9th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions. Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copy
How Rukwa compares with other regions
People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) (2017-18)
Rukwa ranks 1 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rukwa | 45.0% |
| 2 | Simiyu | 39.2% |
| 3 | Lindi | 38.0% |
| 4 | Geita | 37.5% |
| 5 | Mwanza | 34.6% |
| 6 | Tabora | 34.5% |
| 7 | Kigoma | 34.5% |
Households with an improved toilet (2022)
Rukwa ranks 27 of 31, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with an improved toilet |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Lindi | 46.6% |
| 25 | Singida | 38.6% |
| 26 | Manyara | 38.3% |
| 27 | Rukwa | 35.7% |
| 28 | Kigoma | 35.3% |
| 29 | Tabora | 33.8% |
| 30 | Simiyu | 32.5% |
More on Rukwa: 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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