Surging Population Growth In Tanzania

Surging Population Growth In Tanzania

Surging population growth in Tanzania is creating a number of challenges for the West African nation, the most pressing issue being its acute housing crisis.

With a population just short of 69 million, projected to hit 137 million by 2050, the demand for housing in Tanzania is skyrocketing at an unprecedented rate, outstripping the available supply and intensifying the housing deficit.

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Dr. Julius Shija, a London-based architect, highlighted that Tanzania, like many other developing nations, is grappling with rapid population growth.

“The magnitude of the housing demand is staggering, with an estimated shortage of 3 million units, growing annually by 200,000 units according to Shelter Afrique,” said Dr. Shija. “This statistic not only underscores the pressing need for housing but also highlights the dire situation faced by millions of Tanzanians.”

“As the demand for housing continues to surge, the existing deficit becomes increasingly glaring, particularly when considering the substandard quality of many homes and the overcrowded conditions exacerbated by inadequate access to essential services like water and electricity,” he added.

Delving deeper into the urban landscape of Tanzania, Dr. Shija stated that the housing deficit looms large, reaching an estimated 1.2 million units. In particular, the bustling metropolis of Dar Es Salaam shoulders a significant share of the burden, accounting for a staggering 36 per cent of the total housing shortfall.

“These statistics paint a vivid picture of the housing crisis gripping urban Tanzania, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address this pressing issue and ensure that every Tanzanian has access to safe, decent, and dignified housing.”

And it’s not just the availability of housing that is contributing to the crisis, it is also the quality of living standards. As recently as 2018, over 40% of Tanzania’s population lived in slums, according to Statista.

Mariam Ibrahim, an independent land management specialist, believes that this is no easy problem to overcome in a country with a burgeoning population.

Ibrahim feels that elevating the country’s infrastructure through investments in slum upgrade programs and urban renewal projects is imperative for Tanzania’s future. This strategy would not only enhance the quality of housing in informal settlements but also increase access to fundamental services like water, sanitation, and electricity.

She envisions a Tanzania where revitalised neighbourhoods and upgraded infrastructure form the bedrock of inclusive and resilient urban environments.

Many Tanzanian’s, however, are not convinced that smart urban planning offers an effective solution, believing instead that addressing the country’s population growth is the real imperative.

At the time of writing, the population of the Tanzania sits at approximately 68.769 million, a 100% per cent increase since 2000. The fertility rate (average number of births per mother) is currently at 4.51.

Submitted by Friends of Retha


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