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Tanzanians optimistic about direction of the country, new Afrobarometer survey says
What you need to know:
- Regarding personal living conditions, 38 percent of respondents rated their circumstances as fairly bad or very bad, reflecting a 12 percentage point decrease from 50 percent in 2022
Dar es Salaam. A recent Afrobarometer survey reveals that 67 percent of Tanzanians believe the country is heading in the right direction, with a significant majority expecting economic improvement in the coming year.
This marks a 9 percentage point increase in positive assessments of the nation’s economic condition compared to the 58 percent recorded in 2022.
Afrobarometer, a pan-African non-partisan survey research network, conducts biennial surveys across 42 countries to gather reliable data on African experiences with democracy, governance and quality of life.
The latest findings were shared on Thursday, November 15 during the launch of Afrobarometer's Round 10, which surveyed Tanzanians between January and July of this year.
Despite the optimism reflected in the survey, the report highlights ongoing challenges related to living conditions and poverty.
The majority of respondents reported experiencing times without cash income at least once in the past year.
“The report indicates that most Tanzanians are satisfied with the government’s performance in several areas, including education, crime reduction, conflict prevention, electricity provision and economic management,” the report states.
REPOA Acting executive director, Dr Lucas Katera, said that while the outlook is generally positive, over 80 percent of respondents reported frequently lacking cash income.
“People’s perceptions of the economy are optimistic, with expectations for improvement over the next twelve months. They foresee better poverty levels in the coming two years, spurred by ongoing infrastructure projects and enhancements in health and education services,” he noted.
Regarding personal living conditions, 38 percent of respondents rated their circumstances as fairly bad or very bad, reflecting a 12 percentage point decrease from 50 percent in 2022.
Participants identified health as the most pressing issue for government action, cited by 45 percent, followed by water supply (36 percent) and infrastructure/roads (34 percent).
REPOA senior researcher, Prof Paschal Mihyo, commented on the findings, stating that the results mirror public perceptions of the economy and quality of life.
“While there is a positive sentiment towards infrastructure developments, people desire further improvements.”
"Tanzanians hold a positive view of the government and seek continued progress to enhance their quality of life,” Prof Mihyo added.
