Integrated Labour Force Survey 2025
Tanzania, 2025
Get MicrodataIdentification
TZA-NBS-2025-v01
Integrated Labour Force Survey 2025
ILFS 2025
Utafiti wa Watu Wenye Uwezo wa Kufanya Kazi wa Mwaka 2025
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| United Republic of Tanzania | TZA |
Labor Force Survey [hh/lfs]
The 2025 Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) provided reliable, nationally comparable data on the size, structure and characteristics of Tanzania’s labour force. Conducted from January to December 2025, it captured employment trends, unemployment, underemployment and insights into the informal sector and child labour. Building on the 2020/21 and 2024 ILFS, the 2025 round refined sampling, fieldwork and instruments, while integrating Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar using internationally recognised definitions. This harmonisation allows benchmarking against global labour statistics. Previously, Labour Force Surveys were conducted separately since 1965 in Mainland Tanzania and 1991 in Zanzibar with differing methods. The integrated ILFS is part of the national labour statistics programme, with the next 2026 results expected in June 2027.
The 2025 ILFS was conducted to produce reliable and nationally comparable data on Tanzania's labour market. Its primary objective was to provide estimates on key labour indicators, including employed, unemployed and populations outside the labour force, including the potential labour force. The survey also covered informal sector activities, informal employment, working children, underemployment and employment dynamics.
Sample survey data [ssd]
Households are the sampling unit, but individuals are the unit of analysis for the ILFS
Version
v1.0: Edited final data for public use .
2025-12-31
Notes on the 2025 ILFS
Purpose: Generated reliable, nationally comparable labour statistics on size, structure and characteristics of the labour force.
Coverage: Conducted January–December 2025; captured employment trends, unemployment, underemployment, informal sector and child labour.
Methodology: Built on 2020/21 and 2024 ILFS; refined sampling, fieldwork and instruments.
Integration: Combined Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar using internationally recognised definitions for harmonisation and global comparability.
Historical Context: Earlier surveys were separate (Mainland since 1965, Zanzibar since 1991) with differing methods.
Programme: Part of the national labour statistics framework; next ILFS results expected June 2027.
Scope
The scope of the Integrated Labour Force Survey includes: Individuals: Household Member Roster; Disability; Migration; Education; Current activity; Unemployment; Main Economic Activity; Informal Sector; Hours Worked; Income; Usual Activity; Children Aged 5 to 17 Years. Households: Household Amenities, Services and Assets.
| Topic | Vocabulary | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | Employed population, employment-to-population ratio. | |
| Unemployment | Unemployed population, youth unemployment, underemployment. | |
| Labour Force Participation | Economically active population, potential labour force | LFPR |
| Informal Sector & Informal Employment | Enterprises, workers outside formal arrangements | IS |
| Child Labour / Working Children | Children engaged in economic activity | |
| Migration & Mobility | Internal migration, reasons for movement | |
| Demographics | Age, sex, household composition | |
| Disability & Vulnerable Groups | Persons with disabilities, marginalised groups | |
| Education & Skills | Literacy, training, qualifications |
Coverage
The survey sample was designed to provide representative estimates on the labour market situtation at National level (Tanzania - URT, Mainland Tanzania - TZM & Zanzibar - ZNZ), Urban, Other urban, Rural areas and Dar es Salaam.
The survey covered all usual residents aged 0+ years resident in the households.
Producers and sponsors
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN | GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister's Office Labour, Employment and Relations | Government of the United Republic of Tanzania | Data Validation and Dissemination |
| The President's Office, Labour, Economic Affairs and Investment | Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar | Data Validation and Dissemination |
| International Labour Organization | United Nations (UN) Specialized Agency | Technical support and guidance on application of international statistical standards |
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Government of the United Republic of Tanzania | URT | FUNDING |
| WORLD BANK | WB | FUNDING |
| INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION | ILO | TECHNICAL |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| World Bank | WB | Fund management |
| International Labour Organisation | ILO | Technical support |
Sampling
The sampling frame for the 2025 ILFS was derived from the inventory of Enumeration Areas (EAs) compiled during the 2022 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The sample was designed to provide representative estimates with a 95 percent confidence interval across three domains in Tanzania Mainland (TZM): rural areas, other urban areas and Dar es Salaam; and 7 domains for Zanzibar, namely: rural, urban, Kaskazini Pemba, Kaskazini Unguja, Kusini Pemba, Kusini Unguja and Mjini Magharibi.
The sampling design followed a stratified two-stage approach. In the first stage, EAs were selected within each stratum using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS). In the second stage, households were systematically selected from each of the previously chosen EAs. A total of 441 EAs were selected at the first stage in Tanzania Mainland and 152 in Zanzibar. At the second stage, 24 households were selected from each sampled EA, resulting in 10,584 households in Tanzania Mainland; 3,648 in Zanzibar and a total of 14,232 households for the entire United Republic of Tanzania (URT).
The ILFS survey estimates are derived from complex sampling procedures and are subject to various sources of error. These estimates may differ from the true population parameters due to unavoidable survey errors. Such errors, inherent in the survey process, arise from both sampling and non-sampling sources.
The key measures used to assess sampling error is the Coefficient of Variation (CV). The Coefficient of Variation is a standardized measure of dispersion that expresses the extent of variability in relation to the mean of the population. It is calculated as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean and is usually expressed as a percentage.
Non-sampling errors are all other types of errors that may occur during the survey process, excluding those related to sampling. These can include errors in data collection, respondent misunderstandings, interviewer bias, data entry mistakes, non-response and processing errors.
Reducing non-sampling errors requires rigorous quality control measures at every stage of the survey - from questionnaire design and interviewer training to data validation and processing.
The overall response rate for URT is 99.63 percent; with response rate of Tanzania Mainland being 99.51 percent and 99.97 percent for Zanzibar.
The sampling weights were applied in the 2025 ILFS to ensure the survey results represent the national population.
Each household's data was weighted to reflect its share in the population, correcting for the sample design.
The basic weight was calculated as the inverse of a household's probability of selection, derived from a multi-stage sampling process (from selection of Enumeration Areas to households). This ensured that each observation was properly scaled.
A structured Excel system was used to track sampling details such as household counts, selection probabilities and intervals allowing accurate computation of weights.
These weights were then applied during analysis to produce reliable, nationally representative labour force estimates.
Survey instrument
The survey instruments for the 2025 ILFS comprised of questionnaires; listing forms; instructions manuals to enumerators and supervisors; and quality assurance guidelines.
All the survey instruments were developed by the surveys' Technical Committee in various working sessions prior to the main survey.
The questionnaires were developed in English and Kiswahili languages after extensive consultations with stakeholders and data users.
The consultations were in form of stakeholders meetings which provided an avenue for discussions between data producers, in this case NBS and OCGS and a wider community of data users. Comments from stakeholders regarding survey instruments were, if needed used to further refine the instruments.
The instructions manual to enumerators and supervisors were also developed in conjunction with survey questionnaires in both English and Kiswahili languages.
The ILFS questionnaires consisted of four modules, namely: - Labour Force (LF); Informal Sector (IS) and Working Children (WC).
Data collection
| Start | End | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | 2025-03-31 | Quarter I |
| 2025-04-01 | 2025-06-30 | Quarter II |
| 2025-07-01 | 2025-09-30 | Quarter III |
| 2025-10-01 | 2025-12-31 | Quarter IV |
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | 2025-12-31 |
- Face-to-face [f2f]
| Name | Affiliation | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | MINISTRY OF FINANCE | NBS |
| OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN | PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - FINANCE AND PLANNING, ZANZIBAR (POFP) | OCGS |
Data collection for the 2025 Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) was carried out on a quarterly basis, with each round conducted at three-month intervals. This approach was specifically designed to capture seasonal variations in economic activities, which are critical for producing a comprehensive picture of the labour market characteristics throughout the year.
To maintain data quality and ensure adherence to survey protocols, regular field supervision was conducted throughout the data collection period. Both national and regional supervisors made systematic visits to the field to oversee enumerator performance and address any challenges encountered during data collection. These quality assurance measures were instrumental in minimizing non-sampling errors, such as incorrect recording of responses, inconsistent questionnaire administration or procedural deviations by enumerators.
The training program for the 2025 Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) was conducted in two key phases: the Training of Trainers (ToT) and the Training of Enumerators (ToE). This structured approach was designed to ensure the effective dissemination of knowledge and the consistent implementation of survey methodologies across all regions. The trainings were conducted concurrently in Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland. The first phase, the Training of Trainers (ToT), brought together Regional Statistical Managers (RSMs) as main supervisors and other supervisors from NBS HQ. The primary objective of this phase was to equip the supervisors (RSMs and HQ representatives) with a comprehensive understanding of the ILFS instruments, data collection protocols and supervisory procedures. As the RSMs were expected to oversee and support the enumerators during the actual data collection, it was crucial that they mastered both the content and the operational aspects of the survey. The ToT served not only as a capacity-building exercise but also as a foundation for maintaining high standards and consistency in the field.
The second phase, the Training of Enumerators (ToE), which was designed to prepare field staff for their roles in data collection. This phase of the training was intensive and focused on ensuring that all enumerators received uniform instruction and practical experience.
Data processing
Data processing involved various activities which included: - receiving data electronically though severs immediately after being edited by the field supervisors; computer editing using logics built in the CAPI; and Data analysis and tabulation were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and STATA. After each quarter's dataset was processed and edited, detailed editing reports were generated and shared with regional supervisors. These reports served as important feedback tools, helping to improve the quality of supervision and data collection in subsequent rounds.
Data appraisal
The ILFS survey estimates are derived from complex sampling procedures and are subject to various sources of error. These estimates may differ from the true population parameters due to unavoidable survey errors. Such errors, inherent in the survey process, arise from both sampling and non-sampling sources.
The key measures used to assess sampling error is the Coefficient of Variation (CV). The Coefficient of Variation is a standardized measure of dispersion that expresses the extent of variability in relation to the mean of the population. It is calculated as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean and is usually expressed as a percentage.
Non-sampling errors are all other types of errors that may occur during the survey process, excluding those related to sampling. These can include errors in data collection, respondent misunderstandings, interviewer bias, data entry mistakes, non-response and processing errors.
Reducing non-sampling errors requires rigorous quality control measures at every stage of the survey - from questionnaire design and interviewer training to data validation and processing.
Sampling and non-sampling errors were computed for the following variables;- Employed Population, Unemployed Population, Population Outside the Labour Force, Youth Aged 15-24, Youth Aged 15-35, Adult Population (36+), Employed in Agriculture, Employed in Industry, Employed in Services, Employment in Public and Private Sectors.
In addition to estimating sampling and non-sampling errors, the Total Survey Error (TSE) was computed to assess the overall difference between a population parameter (such as a mean or total) and its corresponding estimate derived from the sample survey. Understanding and minimizing TSE is essential for ensuring the quality, accuracy and reliability of survey results.
Furthermore, enumerators play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data collected at the household level. The quality of their work directly influences the production of reliable labour statistics, which are essential for evidence-based policy formulation, planning and decision-making on employment, unemployment and broader labour market dynamics.
Data Access
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STATISTICIAN GENERAL | NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | https://www.nbs.go.tz/ | sg@nbs.go.tz |
| LABOUR AND PRICE STATISTICS SECTION | NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | https://www.nbs.go.tz/statistics/topic/labour-and-employment-report | labour@nbs.go.tz |
| Is signing of a confidentiality declaration required? | Confidentiality declaration text |
|---|---|
| yes | Confidentiality Statement: This information is collected under the Statistics Act, Cap. 351, Revised Edition 2019. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and used solely for statistical purposes. |
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 2026. Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) 2025: Key Indicators of the Labour Market of the United Republic of Tanzania
Report. Dodoma, Tanzania: National Bureau of Statistics.
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistician General | National Bureau of Statistics | sg@nbs.go.tz | https://www.nbs.go.tz/ |
| Labour and Price Statistics Manager | National Bureau of Statistics | labour@nbs.go.tz | https://www.nbs.go.tz/statistics/labour-statistics |
Metadata production
DDI-TZA-NBS-ILFS-2025-V1.0
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS | NBS | MINISTRY OF FINANCE | Metadata Producer |
| OFFICE OF THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN ZANZIBAR | OCGS | PRESIDENT OFFICE - FINANCE AND PLANNING | Metadata Producer |
2026-06-30
Metadata version
Version 0.1(June 2026)