By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania has been ranked among the countries with the lowest average wealth per adult globally, despite strong regional economic performance and steady national growth, according to the 2025 UBS Global Wealth Report.
The report estimates that the average (mean) wealth per adult in Tanzania stands at just US$ 1,246, while the median wealth is US$ 681.
These figures highlight both low asset accumulation and significant income inequality within the country.
The findings are particularly stark when compared to Tanzania’s East African neighbours: Kenya: US$ 3,671 (mean), USD 966 (median); Uganda: US$ 2,905 (mean), US$ 725 (median) and Rwanda: US$ 2,951 (mean), US$ 638 (median).
The gap between Tanzania’s mean and median wealth also reflects a highly concentrated distribution, where a small elite controls most financial assets while the majority own very little.
EMEA leads global wealth recovery
The report shows that the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region – of which Tanzania is a part – led the world in wealth recovery post-pandemic, recording a 4.8% increase in household wealth in 2023.
This growth outpaced that of Asia-Pacific (4.4%) and the Americas (3.6%).
While EMEA’s performance is encouraging, economists warn that such regional averages mask deep disparities.
“Tanzania’s economic growth has been consistent, but it is not yet translating into tangible wealth for the average citizen,” said an economist at the University of Dar es Salaam. “There’s an urgent need to bridge the gap between national GDP and household well-being.”
Global inequality reflected at home
The UBS report also reveals that the world’s top 1% now hold 46.2% of all global wealth, further entrenching economic disparities – a trend mirrored in Tanzania’s wealth distribution.
According to financial analysts, this trend poses a long-term risk to national development by limiting social mobility and weakening the middle class.
“If most Tanzanians remain asset-poor, it becomes difficult to stimulate domestic investment, savings, and entrepreneurship,” noted a financial inclusion consultant.
Policy implications for Tanzania
Experts are calling for a policy shift focused on inclusive wealth creation. Priority actions could include: widening access to financial services and digital banking in rural areas, supporting small-scale entrepreneurship and land ownership, implementing tax and inheritance reforms to reduce wealth concentration and investing in education, innovation, and labour-intensive sectors to lift income levels
Looking ahead
Tanzania’s economy grew by 5.5% in 2024, with the government investing heavily in transport, energy, health, and education.
The country’s per capita GDP now stands at around US$ 1,149, but this figure alone doesn’t reflect the deep inequality present in wealth accumulation. The UBS report forecasts that EMEA’s household wealth will rise by 30% over the next decade, with East African countries expected to benefit – if they align growth strategies with inclusive policies.
