Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2025, the country counted over 237.5 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 135.5 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 118.4 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranked seventh, while Mauritius had the highest population density on the whole African continent in 2023. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

Abstract

Statistical data reflect the socio-economic and demographic conditions of the residents of a country are useful for designing and preparation of development plans and for monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the implementation of the development plans. These statistical data include population size, age, sex, fertility, mortality, migration, literacy and education, marital status, occupation, industry, housing stocks and conditions… etc. In order to fill the gap for these socio-economic and demographic data need, Ethiopia conducted its second National population and Housing Census in October 1994.

The 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia was conducted under the auspices of the population and housing census commission that was set up under proclamation No. 32/1992. The commission was chaired by the prime minister and the members of the commission were drawn from various relevant ministries. The Central Statistical Authority served as the office of the commission (secretariat). Hence the processing, evaluation and analyses of the data collected in this census as well as its dissemination are the responsibilities of this office.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Household Person Housing unit

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

All household in all housing units are counted. Systematic selection procedure used to decide whether to use long or short questioner. During the three days before the census day all households and housing units were listed in a separate form designed for this purpose, this list was used to identify the type of questionnaire that was to be administered to the households. One out of the fife household was selected to interview using long questionnaire, while the other four were interviewed using short questionnaire. Resident of hotels, hostels and other collective quarters were always interviewed using long questionnaire. Short questionnaire administered for the homeless persons. Weight were applied the information collected in order to let the data represent the entire population. This means the fingers presented in tables that refer disability, education, economic activity, migration, fertility, mortality and housing stock and condition represent the entire population.

The fact that the information was collected from a sample of household and not from the entire household does not make the information less reliable. In fact this process increase the quality of the information collected by reducing the work load that would have been faced if all household were covered using the long questionnaire. The reduction of work load improves the quality of the data because it is expected to facilitate a closer supervision during the field work, enable better data coding and editing, and enable the timely processing of the data collected.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Two type of questionnaires were used to collect census data: i) Short questionnaire ii) Long urban and rural questionnaire

The difference between the two questionnaire is number of variables. The data collected using the short questionnaire included basic information on population such as size, sex, age, language, ethnic group, religion and marital status. The data collected using the long questionnaire included information on disability, education, economic activity, migration, fertility, mortality and housing stock and condition.

As of 2023, the total population of Africa was over 1.48 billion. The number of inhabitants on the continent increased annually from 2000 onwards. In comparison, the total population was around 831 million in 2000. According to forecasts, Africa will experience impressive population growth in the coming years and will close the gap with the Asian population by 2100. Over 200 million people in Nigeria Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. In 2025, the country’s population exceeded 237 million people. Ethiopia followed with a population of around 135 million, while Egypt ranked third, accounting for approximately 118 million individuals. Other leading African countries in terms of population were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya. Additionally, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad recorded the highest population growth rate on the continent in 2023, with the number of residents rising by over 3.08 percent compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the populations of Tunisia and Eswatini registered a growth rate below 0.85 percent, while for Mauritius and Seychelles, it was negative. Drivers for population growth Several factors have driven Africa’s population growth. For instance, the annual number of births on the continent has risen constantly over the years, jumping from nearly 32 million in 2000 to almost 46 million in 2023. Moreover, despite the constant decline in the number of births per woman, the continent’s fertility rate has remained considerably above the global average. Each woman in Africa had an average of over four children throughout her reproductive years as of 2023, compared to a world rate of around two births per woman. At the same time, improved health and living conditions contributed to decreasing mortality rate and increasing life expectancy in recent years, driving population growth.

Abstract

The Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS) for the year 2022/23 aimed to enhance the understanding of agricultural activities across the United Republic of Tanzania by collecting comprehensive data on various aspects of the agricultural sector. This survey is crucial for policy formulation, development planning, and service delivery, providing reliable data to monitor and evaluate national and international development frameworks.

The 2022/23 survey is particularly significant as it informs the monitoring and evaluation of key agricultural development strategies and frameworks. The collected data will contribute to the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, Zanzibar Development Vision 2020, the Five-Year Development Plan 2021/22–2025/26, the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) known as MKUKUTA, and the Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (ZSGRP) known as MKUZA. The survey data also supports the evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Key indicators for agricultural performance and poverty monitoring are directly measured from the survey data.

The 2022/23 AASS provides a detailed descriptive analysis and related tables on the main thematic areas. These areas include household members and holder identification, field roster, seasonal plot and crop rosters (Vuli, Masika, and Dry Season), permanent crop production, crop harvest use, seed and seedling acquisition, input use and acquisition (fertilizers and pesticides), livestock inventory and changes, livestock production costs, milk and eggs production, other livestock products, aquaculture production, and labor dynamics. The 2022/23 AASS offers an extensive dataset essential for understanding the current state of agriculture in Tanzania. The insights gained will support the development of policies and interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and the livelihoods of farming communities. This data is indispensable for stakeholders addressing challenges in the agricultural sector and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) methods have been applied to the microdata, to protect the confidentiality of the individual data collected. Users must be aware that these anonymization or SDC methods modify the data, including suppression of some data points. This affects the aggregated values derived from the anonymized microdata, and may have other unwanted consequences, such as sampling error and bias. Additional details about the SDC methods and data access conditions are provided in the data processing and data access conditions below.

Geographic coverage

National, Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, Regions

Analysis unit

Households for Smallholder Farmers and Farm for Large Scale Farms

Universe

The survey covered agricultural households and large-scale farms.

Agricultural households are those that meet one or more of the following two conditions: a) Have or operate at least 25 square meters of arable land, b) Own or keep at least one head of cattle or five goats/sheep/pigs or fifty chicken/ducks/turkeys during the agriculture year.

Large-scale farms are those farms with at least 20 hectares of cultivated land, or 50 herds of cattle, or 100 goats/sheep/pigs, or 1,000 chickens. In addition to this, they should fulfill all of the following four conditions: i) The greater part of the produce should go to the market, ii) Operation of farm should be continuous, iii) There should be application of machinery / implements on the farm, and iv) There should be at least one permanent employee.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The frame used to extract the sample for the Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS-2022/23) in Tanzania was derived from the 2022 Population and Housing Census (PHC-2022) Frame that lists all the Enumeration Areas (EAs/Hamlets) of the country. The AASS 2022/23 used a stratified two-stage sampling design which allows to produce reliable estimates at regional level for both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

In the first stage, the EAs (primary sampling units) were stratified into 2-3 strata within each region and then selected by using a systematic sampling procedure with probability proportional to size (PPS), where the measure of size is the number of agricultural households in the EA. Before the selection, within each stratum and domain (region), the Enumeration Areas (EAs) were ordered according to the codes of District and Council which reflect the geographical proximity, and then ordered according to the codes of Constituency, Division, Wards, and Village. An implicit stratification was also performed, ordering by Urban/Rural type at Ward level.

In the second stage, a simple random sampling selection was conducted . In hamlets with more than 200 households, twelve (12) agricultural households were drawn from the PHC 2022 list with a simple random sampling without replacement procedure in each sampled hamlet. In hamlets with 200 households or less, a listing exercise was carried out in each sampled hamlet, and twelve (12) agricultural households were selected with a simple random sampling without replacement procedure. A total of 1,352 PSUs were selected from the 2022 Population and Housing Census frame, of which 1,234 PSUs were from Mainland Tanzania and 118 from Zanzibar. A total number of 16,224 agricultural households were sampled (14,808 households from Mainland Tanzania and 1,416 from Zanzibar).

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

The 2022/23 Annual Agricultural Survey used two main questionnaires consolidated into a single questionnaire within the CAPIthe CAPI System, Smallholder Farmers and Large-Scale Farms Questionnaire. Smallholder Farmers questionnaire captured information at household level while Large Scale Farms questionnaire captured information at establishment/holding level. These questionnaires were used for data collection that covered core agricultural activities (crops, livestock, and fish farming) in both short and long rainy seasons. The 2022/23 AASS questionnaire covered 23 sections which are:

1. COVER; The cover page included the title of the survey, survey year (2022/23), general instructions for both the interviewers and respondents. It sets the context for the survey and also it shows the survey covers the United Republic of Tanzania.

2. SCREENING: Included preliminary questions designed to determine if the respondent or household is eligible to participate in the survey. It checks for core criteria such as involvement in agricultural activities.

3. START INTERVIEW: The introductory section where basic details about the interview are recorded, such as the date, location, and interviewer’s information. This helped in the identification and tracking of the interview process.

4. HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND HOLDER IDENTIFICATION: Collected information about all household members, including age, gender, relationship to the household head, and the identification of the main agricultural holder. This section helped in understanding the demographic composition of the agriculture household.

5. FIELD ROSTER: Provided the details of the various agricultural fields operated by the agriculture household. Information includes the size, location, and identification of each field. This section provided a comprehensive overview of the land resources available to the household.

6. VULI PLOT ROSTER: Focused on plots used during the Vuli season (short rainy season). It includes details on the crops planted, plot sizes, and any specific characteristics of these plots. This helps in assessing seasonal agricultural activities.

7. VULI CROP ROSTER: Provided detailed information on the types of crops grown during the Vuli season, including quantities produced and intended use (e.g., consumption, sale, storage). This section captures the output of short rainy season farming.

8. MASIKA PLOT ROSTER: Similar to Section 4 but focuses on the Masika season (long rainy season). It collects data on plot usage, crop types, and sizes. This helps in understanding the agricultural practices during the primary growing season.

9. MASIKA CROP ROSTER: Provided detailed information on crops grown during the Masika season, including production quantities and uses. This section captures the output from the main agricultural season.

10. PERMANENT CROP PRODUCTION: Focuses on perennial or permanent crops (e.g., fruit trees, tea, coffee). It includes data on the types of permanent crops, area under cultivation, production volumes, and uses. This section tracks long-term agricultural investments.

11. CROP HARVEST USE: In this, provided the details how harvested crops are utilized within the household. Categories included consumption, sale, storage, and other uses. This section helps in understanding food security and market engagement.

12. SEED AND SEEDLINGS ACQUISITION: Collected information on how the agriculture household acquires seeds and seedlings, including sources (e.g., purchased, saved, gifted) and types (local, improved, etc). This section provided insights into input supply chains and planting decisions based on the households, or head.

13. INPUT USE AND ACQUISITION (FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES): It provided the details of the use and acquisition of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. It included information on quantities used, sources, and types of inputs. This section assessed the input dependency and agricultural practices.

14. LIVESTOCK IN STOCK AND CHANGE IN STOCK: The

As of 2023, Niger registered the agricultural sector's highest contribution to the GDP in Africa, at over ** percent. Comoros and Ethiopia followed, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounting for approximately ** percent and ** percent of the GDP, respectively. On the other hand, Botswana, Djibouti, Libya, Zambia, and South Africa were the African countries with the lowest percentage of the GDP generated by the agricultural sector. Agriculture remains a pillar of Africa’s economy Despite the significant variations across countries, agriculture is a key sector in Africa. In 2022, it represented around ** percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, growing by over *** percentage points compared to 2011. The agricultural industry also strongly contributes to the continent’s job market. The number of people employed in the primary sector in Africa grew from around *** million in 2011 to *** million in 2021. In proportion, agriculture employed approximately ** percent of Africa’s working population in 2021. Agricultural activities attracted a large share of the labor force in Central, East, and West Africa, which registered percentages over the regional average. On the other hand, North Africa recorded the lowest share of employment in agriculture, as the regional economy relies significantly on the industrial and service sectors. Cereals are among the most produced crops Sudan and South Africa are the African countries with the largest agricultural areas. Respectively, they devote around *** million and **** million hectares of land to growing crops. Agricultural production varies significantly across African countries in terms of products and volume. Cereals such as rice, corn, and wheat are among the main crops on the continent, also representing a staple in most countries. The leading cereal producers are Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. Together, they recorded a cereal output of almost *** million metric tons in 2021. Additionally, rice production was concentrated in Nigeria, Egypt, Madagascar, and Tanzania.