Tanzania Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Tanzania's poverty rate was 51.30% in 2018, ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2018.
Overview
Tanzania's poverty rate stood at 51.30% in 2018, a decline of +0.20pp from 2011. Tanzania ranked 92nd globally.
Tanzania’s poverty rate has fallen sharply since the early 2000s, declining from an all‑time peak of 86.90 % in 2000 to a trough of 51.30 % in 2018, the lowest level recorded in the series and ranking the country 92nd globally. The reduction represents a 35.60‑percentage‑point drop over 18 years, outpacing the modest decline observed in peer Niger, where poverty remained at 59.00 % in the same period, and narrowing the gap with Burkina Faso’s 47.70 % level. The downward trajectory coincides with expanded social protection programmes, agricultural growth, and infrastructure investments that have boosted rural incomes, although the share of the population still living below the national poverty line exceeds half the country. Continued improvement will depend on sustaining economic diversification, enhancing education outcomes, and strengthening climate‑resilient agriculture, which together could push the poverty rate further below the 2018 trough in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 51.30% | −0.20pp | #92 |
| 2011 | 51.50% | −10.40pp | #77 |
| 2007 | 61.90% | −25.00pp | #71 |
| 2000 | 86.90% | +13.40pp | #56 |
| 1991 | 73.50% | – | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's poverty rate was 51.30% in 2018. Ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from the previous year.
Tanzania's poverty rate peaked at 86.90% in 2000.
The lowest poverty rate in Tanzania was 51.30% in 2018.
Tanzania ranks 92nd globally in poverty rate as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Tanzania in 2018 was 51.30%. This ranks 92nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_poverty-rate,
title = {Tanzania Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}