This paper draws on qualitative data collected in six research sites across mainland Tanzania
in 2009. It identifies, across the sample, who escaped poverty (‘poverty escapers’) or
experienced improved well being (‘upward movers’) between 1999 and 2009. It also
identifies what drove this upward mobility.
Analysis reveals that, based on a six-tiered well-being classification scheme, few households
in the sample escaped poverty between 1999 and 2009. A larger, but still small, number of
households from the sample were ‘upward movers’. Analysis of reasons cited for improved
well-being reveals that agriculture, non-farm business, salaried employment, trading and
agricultural inputs and implements are the most powerful drivers of upward mobility. Assets,
loans and infrastructure are also found to feature in stories of upward mobility.