This report presents the first national estimates of child monetary and deprivation poverty in Tanzania. A multidimensional child poverty indicator (MCPI) has been developed using UNICEF’s Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) methodology applied to the Tanzanian context and using the National Panel Survey (NPS) datasets. The resulting national measure of multidimensional poverty, along with an estimate of child monetary poverty are both defined and explained in order to build a comprehensive understanding of the extent of child well-being in Tanzania.

Potential deprivation in six or seven dimensions (i.e. nutrition, health, protection, education, information, sanitation, water, and housing) was assessed across four age groups (0-23 months, 24-59 months, 5-13 years, and 14-17 years), with number of dimensions varying per age group. This report is primarily based on data from the 2012/13 NPS, which surveyed 5,010 households, including 3,947 households with children. However, longitudinal dynamics of child monetary and deprivation poverty are also assessed through analysis of data from the first (2008/09) compared to the third (2012/13) NPS waves (NBS 2009; NBS 2014).

Overall child deprivation and poverty rates are high. Seventy four percent of all Tanzanian children live in multidimensional poverty, using a nationally agreed cut-off threshold of being deprived in 3 or more dimensions, while 29 percent live in households below the monetary poverty line. Deprivation and poverty rates are highest among children 5-13 and 14-17 years of age. Some specific deprivations are higher in urban areas, although overall monetary and deprivation poverty is highest in rural areas for nearly all dimensions

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