Tanzania has one of the youngest populations in the world. Over 75% of its citizens are under the age of 35. Youth play a pivotal role in driving innovation, civic engagement, and economic development. But when it comes to data collection in Tanzania youth populations present both unique challenges and untapped opportunities.
This guide is based on years of on-the-ground research experience across Tanzania. It offers actionable, field-tested best practices for organizations, researchers, and institutions conducting data collection among youth in Tanzania. It’s the third in a series of guides we’ve created to help people collect data in diverse settings; from schools in Rwanda to refugee camps in Kenya.
A tailored approach to youth data collection
Young people in Tanzania are highly diverse across language, ethnicity, location, education level, and livelihood. Some are active in digital spaces, others are offline and deeply rooted in traditional systems. Many are mobile, engaged in informal work like bodaboda (motorcycle taxi), food vending, or tailoring. Others are students navigating school timetables and household responsibilities.
Because of this diversity, one-size-fits-all approaches to data collection often fail. The guide explores the realities of youth engagement, incorporating them in data collection strategies.
What’s Inside?
Understanding youth engagement in data collection
Tanzania’s youth are often mobile, engaged in informal work, and face varying levels of digital literacy. This section helps researchers adapt methods to these dynamics and avoid barriers that limit participation.
Effective recruitment strategies
Whether you’re conducting surveys in rural communities or urban centers, you’ll find guidance on working with local authorities, youth groups, and trusted community figures to improve recruitment and retention.
Ethical interviewing on sensitive topics
Topics like reproductive health, gender roles, and income require tact. The guide outlines how to build trust, ensure privacy, and tailor your approach to Tanzania’s cultural and regional diversity.
Minimizing bias and capturing true beliefs
From using a third-person scenario to incorporating storytelling, the guide provides techniques to reduce confirmation bias and gather authentic perspectives from youth respondents.
Best practices for school-based data collection
If your work involves schools, you’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of how to secure permissions, coordinate with headteachers, and minimize disruptions to the school day.
Survey instruments that work
The guide highlights reliable, culturally appropriate tools such as the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), the Gender Equitable Men’s Scale, and the Poverty Probability Index (PPI); each proven effective for youth-focused research in Tanzania.
Why this guide matters
Collecting accurate, meaningful data from young people is essential to designing impactful programs and shaping responsive policies. By following the practices in this guide, researchers can ensure that their data collection in Tanzania youth efforts are ethical, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of the communities they serve.
Download the full guide to improve the quality, relevance, and impact of your youth research in Tanzania:
Surveying youth in Tanzania: Challenges and solutions