Any action to reduce socio-economic vulnerability must begin with its diagnosis to determine its causes and dimensions. Thus, through this study, the causes of socio-economic vulnerability of households in Ngozi province were identified. Indeed, arable land is very scarce and access to this resource has become problematic. The average size of a farm is about 56 ares. Each person lives on an average of 9 ares, whereas the minimum acceptable area for survival is 20 ares in the conditions of the environment studied. The production system has been compromised and no longer provides sufficient income for rural households. The latter continue to be impoverished because they are vulnerable to all forms of hazards and their survival strategies automatically mortgage their future by forcing them into a state of perpetual dependence. In addition, inadequate infrastructure, staffing and equipment coupled with growing poverty limit households' access to basic social services such as decent housing, education and health care.