Tanzania is one of
the most impoverished countries in the world, however, according to the World Bank,
poverty from 2007 to 2018 was reduced by 8% overall. There are multiple reasons
why the largest East African country is in such despair, such as food scarcity,
poor access to education and inadequate health care access. This article will
discuss five facts about the causes of poverty in Tanzania.
Causes
of Poverty in Tanzania
1.
The
population rate is increasing faster than the poverty reduction rate in
Tanzania. This is causing millions of people to live in
poverty and survive off of $1.90 a day or less. According to the World
Bank’s Poverty and
Equity Brief, from 2011 to 2018, there was only a 1.8% decline in
poverty. To combat this issue, according to the brief there should be more
opportunities available for those living in rural areas. This is because rural
areas have the highest rates of poverty.
2.
A lack
of a proper education lowers the chances for sustainable employment. A
primary issue related to education in Tanzania is the decline in enrollment of
children in primary school. According to a report for
out-of-school children in Tanzania by the United Nations Children Fund
(UNICEF), out of the 1.3 million children aged 7 years old in Tanzania, 39.5%
do not attend primary or secondary school. However, as children get older, the
likelihood of attending school rises.
3.
Life-threatening
diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria impact millions of
Tanzanians. Many families have to pay out of pocket to
receive continuous treatment. Recurring payments pressure already low-income
households, adding to one of the causes of poverty in Tanzania. To mitigate the
diseases affecting millions living predominately in rural areas, the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided treatment to
decrease the severe heath conditions’ growth and spread.
4.
Out of a
population of 57.3 million people in Tanzania, 4 million people do not have
access to clean water. Additionally, 29 million
people do not have “access to improved sanitation.” These circumstances mean
women and young girls, primarily, must carry massive
amounts of water over a great distance in order to provide it
for their families.
5.
The
labor force is continuously declining in Tanzania. This
can be partially attributed to a lack of government support in initiating
sufficient employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. Due to poverty
being the highest in rural areas because of poor living environment
circumstances, many tend to move into urban areas. Unfortunately, unemployment
persists due to people lacking skills for the jobs in their new urban
environment. Access to proper education and an increase in attendance in
primary and secondary schools will help expand opportunities and skills for
more promising and long-lasting employment.
Progress
in Eradicating Poverty
The key to
eradicating poverty in Tanzania is education. However, for more children to
become educated, there needs to be an increase in access to education and
school attendance. As of 2020, Tanzania’s
literacy rate is 70.6%. However, the literacy rate has
fluctuated over the last decade, hindering continuous growth.
Nevertheless, the
organization Room to Read is
taking the necessary steps to ensure that 14.3 million children are literate.
The organization helps young children become educated, literate and aware of
personal health and proper forms of family planning. Its work primarily targets
young girls. Room to Read distributes its resources not only to Tanzania but
also to more than 12 other countries around the world. If Tanzania’s government
recognizes the importance of education, a better health care system and an
increase in employment opportunities and receives funding to implement changes,
the causes of poverty in Tanzania may dissolve sooner than expected. This, in
turn, could help set an example for other impoverished countries.
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