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Last update: January, 24 2021

Zimbabwe

flag of Zimbabwe
Government
NameRepublic of Zimbabwe
Government typepresidential republic
CapitalHarare (1,485,231 (2012))
CurrencyZimbabwe dollar (ZWL)
People
Population (2020)14,862,927 (74th)
Density of population26 P/km2 (170th)
NationalityZimbabwean
Official languages
Shona
Ndebele
English
Chewa
Chibarwe
Kalanga
Koisan
Nambya
Ndau
Shangani
sign language
Sotho
Tonga
Tswana
Venda
Xhosa
Ethnic groups (2012)
African99.4%
other0.4%
unspecified0.2%
Religions (2015)
Protestant74.8%
Apostolic37.5%
Pentecostal21.8%
other15.5%
Roman Catholic7.3%
other Christian5.3%
traditional1.5%
Muslim0.5%
other0.1%
none10.5%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male60.2 years
Female64.5 years
Total population62.3 years (210th)
Homicides
Total (2012)7.5 per 100,000 people (43rd)
Geography
Land area386,847 km2
water area3,910 km2
total area390,757 km2 (62nd)
Mean elevation961 m
Lowest point
junction of the Runde and Save Rivers162 m
Highest point
Inyangani2,592 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land42.5%
Arable land10.9%
Permanent crops0.3%
Permanent pasture31.3%
Forest39.5%
Other18%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)32.2%
Rate of urbanization2.19% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)7.907 million  (64th)
Labor force by occupation (2017)
Agriculture67.5%
Industry7.3%
Services 25.2%
Unemployment rate (2014)11.3% (154th)
note: include both unemployment and underemployment
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$41.031 billion
Per capita$2,621
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$22.290 billion
Per capita$1,424
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture12%
Industry22.2%
Services65.8%
Exports (2017)$4.353 billion (113th)
Exports partners (2017)
South Africa50.3%
Mozambique22.5%
UAE9.8%
Zambia4.9%
Imports (2017)$5.472 billion (122nd)
Imports partners (2017)
South Africa47.8%
Zambia20.5%

Zimbabwe on the world map

Zimbabwe on the world map

Zimbabwe top 10 largest cities (2012)

  1. Harare (1,485,231)
  2. Bulawayo (653,337)
  3. Chitungwiza (356,840)
  4. Mutare (186,208)
  5. Epworth (167,462)
  6. Gweru (154,825)
  7. Kwekwe (100,900)
  8. Kadoma (91,633)
  9. Masvingo (87,886)
  10. Chinhoyi (68,273)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Zimbabwe(2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 38.32% (male 2,759,155/female 2,814,462)
  • 15-24 years: 20.16% (male 1,436,710/female 1,495,440)
  • 25-54 years: 32.94% (male 2,456,392/female 2,334,973)
  • 55-64 years: 4.07% (male 227,506/female 363,824)
  • 65 years and over: 4.52% (male 261,456/female 396,396)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Major rivers

Economy

Agriculture:

tobacco, corn, cotton, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts, sheep, goats, pigs

Industries:

mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, diamonds, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages

Exports – commodities:

platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

Imports – commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels, food products

Time zone and current time in Zimbabwe

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Zimbabwe

Sources: