Corruption among political leaders, crime, unreliable electricity supply and water pollution are the leading causes of concern to Tanzanians, a new study has shown. Other issues causing wananchi sleepless nights are traffic jams, air pollution and poor healthcare, according to the 2014 Pew Research Centre survey.

Nine out of every 10 Tanzanians, or 90 per cent, today feel their political leaders have become more corrupt than elsewhere in Africa, according to the new study. Those surveyed felt that their leaders have become more corrupt than they were in 2007, when a similar study was done. Tanzania’s rating for concern over corruption was highest among 34 emerging and developing countries surveyed, topping countries such as Nigeria and Kenya that have traditionally fared poorly on corruption perception.

While 90 per cent of the Tanzanians surveyed said they were concerned about corruption in their country, the figure for Uganda stood at 87 per cent, Nigeria 88 per cent, Ghana 85 per cent and Kenya at 77 per cent.

Tanzania has also seen the largest swing in corruption perception over the last seven years, from 68 per cent in 2007 to 90 per cent this year, according to the survey by the US organisation.

The survey interviewed 38,620 respondents from March to June this year in 34 countries including nine in Africa.

Tanzania is followed closely by Tunisia where 89 per cent of citizens feel corruption was their biggest problem. Colombia came third with 87. Other African countries surveyed are South Africa (70) and Senegal (66).

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The last study was conducted when President Jakaya Kikwete’s government was barely two years in office and the current one has come out with just one year to the election of a new administration.

Crime is the second nightmare at 84 per cent, up from 62 in 2007. In Africa, Tanzania came second only to Nigeria with 88 and Ghana and Uganda with 85 each. Kenya followed closely with 83, Senegal 82 and South Africa 72.

Globally, Tunisia emerged tops with 93 per cent rate in crime, followed by Colombia and El Salvador with 90 each. Argentina follows with 89, Pakistan 87, Chile and Venezuela 86 each and India 85. Tanzanian has posted percentages higher than overall median for all countries which are 76 for corruption and 83 for crime.

Poor quality of schooling came out as the third top most concern for Tanzanians according to the survey. Citizens interviewed rated it at 84 this year, up from just 42 recorded in 2007. This was second to Uganda’s and Ghana’s 76 and 69 respectively. Kenyans expressed 49 per cent dissatisfaction with the quality of education.