Poverty and living standards in Ruvuma, Tanzania: official figures
30.6% of people in Ruvuma lived below the basic-needs poverty line (TSh 49,320 per adult a month) in the 2017-18 Household Budget Survey, 11th highest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 26.4%); 6.6% 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 Ruvuma spend?
Households in Ruvuma spent an average of TSh 91,993 per adult a month on food and other consumption in 2017-18 (Mainland: TSh 94,997), 10th highest of the 26 Mainland regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Ruvuma have a proper toilet?
56.0% of households in Ruvuma had an improved toilet at the 2022 census and 1.4% had no toilet at all (Tanzania: 60.2% and 5.6%); the improved share is 15th lowest of Tanzania's 31 regions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copyDo households in Ruvuma have clean water?
75.0% of households in Ruvuma drew their drinking water from an improved source such as a tap, borehole or protected well in 2022 (Tanzania: 70.1%), 12th 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 Ruvuma cook with?
91.4% of households in Ruvuma cooked mainly with firewood or charcoal in 2022 and 2.2% 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 Ruvuma?
Police recorded 246 offences against the person (such as assault, rape and murder) in Ruvuma in 2025, against 240 in 2024: about 12 per 100,000 residents, joint 7th lowest of the 26 Mainland regions (Mainland: 17).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Ruvuma?
31 people were killed in road accidents recorded by police in Ruvuma in 2025, 3.0% of the 1,042 road deaths on the Mainland.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- 77.9% of households in Ruvuma lived in houses built of modern materials (the census measure of an improved house) in 2022 (Tanzania: 77.9%), 16th highest of Tanzania's 31 regions. Source: National Bureau of Statistics and Office of the Chief Government Statistician, Zanzibar · saved copy
How Ruvuma compares with other regions
People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) (2017-18)
Ruvuma ranks 11 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People below the basic-needs poverty line (Mainland regions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Singida | 34.0% |
| 9 | Shinyanga | 31.9% |
| 10 | Kagera | 31.9% |
| 11 | Ruvuma | 30.6% |
| 12 | Manyara | 30.5% |
| 13 | Mtwara | 29.1% |
| 14 | Katavi | 29.0% |
Households with an improved toilet (2022)
Ruvuma ranks 17 of 31, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with an improved toilet |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Morogoro | 61.9% |
| 15 | Tanga | 61.2% |
| 16 | Songwe | 56.6% |
| 17 | Ruvuma | 56.0% |
| 18 | Geita | 54.9% |
| 19 | Dodoma | 54.5% |
| 20 | Mara | 50.8% |
More on Ruvuma: 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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