2017 Edition

Background

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the former British South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 1997 and intensified after 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. In 2005, the capital city of Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. MUGABE in 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with the opposition winning a majority of seats in parliament. Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the most votes in the presidential poll, but not enough to win outright. In the lead up to a run-off election in June 2008, considerable violence against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of violence and intimidation resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power-sharing "government of national unity," in which MUGABE remained president and TSVANGIRAI became prime minister, were finally settled in February 2009, although the leaders failed to agree upon many key outstanding governmental issues. MUGABE was reelected president in 2013 in balloting that was severely flawed and internationally condemned. As a prerequisite to holding the election, Zimbabwe enacted a new constitution by referendum, although many provisions in the new constitution have yet to be codified in law.

Area

390,757 sq km 386,847 sq km 3,910 sq km

land

386,847 sq km

total

390,757 sq km

water

3,910 sq km

Area - comparative

about four times the size of Indiana; slightly larger than Montana

Climate

tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

961 m lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 m

highest point

Inyangani 2,592 m

mean elevation

961 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)

Irrigated land

1,740 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

3,229 km Botswana 834 km, Mozambique 1,402 km, South Africa 230 km, Zambia 763 km

border countries (4)

Botswana 834 km, Mozambique 1,402 km, South Africa 230 km, Zambia 763 km

total

3,229 km

Land use

42.5% arable land 10.9%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 31.3% 39.5% 18% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

42.5%

forest

39.5%

other

18% (2011 est.)

Location

Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Natural resources

coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Population - distribution

Aside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half

Terrain

mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

Age structure

38.9% (male 2,658,563/female 2,711,017) 20.47% (male 1,383,337/female 1,442,738) 31.9% (male 2,207,012/female 2,196,996) 4.27% (male 233,771/female 355,738) 4.46% (male 251,968/female 363,944) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

38.9% (male 2,658,563/female 2,711,017)

15-24 years

20.47% (male 1,383,337/female 1,442,738)

25-54 years

31.9% (male 2,207,012/female 2,196,996)

55-64 years

4.27% (male 233,771/female 355,738)

65 years and over

4.46% (male 251,968/female 363,944) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

34.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.2% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

66.8% (2015)

Death rate

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Zimbabwe’s progress in reproductive, maternal, and child health has stagnated in recent years. According to a 2010 Demographic and Health Survey, contraceptive use, the number of births attended by skilled practitioners, and child mortality have either stalled or somewhat deteriorated since the mid-2000s. Zimbabwe’s total fertility rate has remained fairly stable at about 4 children per woman for the last two decades, although an uptick in the urban birth rate in recent years has caused a slight rise in the country’s overall fertility rate. Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence rate dropped from approximately 29% to 15% since 1997 but remains among the world’s highest and continues to suppress the country’s life expectancy rate. The proliferation of HIV/AIDS information and prevention programs and personal experience with those suffering or dying from the disease have helped to change sexual behavior and reduce the epidemic. Historically, the vast majority of Zimbabwe’s migration has been internal – a rural-urban flow. In terms of international migration, over the last 40 years Zimbabwe has gradually shifted from being a destination country to one of emigration and, to a lesser degree, one of transit (for East African illegal migrants traveling to South Africa). As a British colony, Zimbabwe attracted significant numbers of permanent immigrants from the UK and other European countries, as well as temporary economic migrants from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Although Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa since the beginning of the 20th century to work as miners, the first major exodus from the country occurred in the years before and after independence in 1980. The outward migration was politically and racially influenced; a large share of the white population of European origin chose to leave rather than live under a new black-majority government. In the 1990s and 2000s, economic mismanagement and hyperinflation sparked a second, more diverse wave of emigration. This massive out migration – primarily to other southern African countries, the UK, and the US – has created a variety of challenges, including brain drain, illegal migration, and human smuggling and trafficking. Several factors have pushed highly skilled workers to go abroad, including unemployment, lower wages, a lack of resources, and few opportunities for career growth.

Dependency ratios

79.5 74.4 5.1 19.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.1

potential support ratio

19.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

79.5

youth dependency ratio

74.4

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population rural: 67.3% of population total: 76.9% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 32.7% of population total: 23.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

32.7% of population

total

23.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3% of population

Education expenditures

8.4% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

African 99.4% (predominantly Shona; Ndebele is the second largest ethnic group), other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2012 est.)

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

13.5% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

30,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.3 million (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

32.7 deaths/1,000 live births 36.8 deaths/1,000 live births 28.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

28.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

36.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

32.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Shona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English (official; traditionally used for official business), 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa)

Life expectancy at birth

60.4 years 58.3 years 62.5 years (2017 est.)

female

62.5 years (2017 est.)

male

58.3 years

total population

60.4 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write English 86.5% 88.5% 84.6% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write English

female

84.6% (2015 est.)

male

88.5%

total population

86.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

HARARE (capital) 1.501 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

443 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

20 years 19.6 years 20.4 years (2017 est.)

female

20.4 years (2017 est.)

male

19.6 years

total

20 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015 est.)

Nationality

Zimbabwean(s) Zimbabwean

adjective

Zimbabwean

noun

Zimbabwean(s)

Net migration rate

-8.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

15.5% (2016)

Physicians density

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

13,805,084 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

Aside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half

Population growth rate

1.56% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 82.7% (includes Apostolic 41.8%, Pentecostal 25.2%, other 15.7%), Roman Catholic 6.7%, other Christian 4.6%, traditional religion 0.6%, Muslim 0.4%, other 0.1%, none 4.9% (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 49.3% of population rural: 30.8% of population total: 36.8% of population urban: 50.7% of population rural: 69.2% of population total: 63.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

69.2% of population

total

63.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

50.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 10 years 10 years (2013)

female

10 years (2013)

male

10 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 0.58 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.58 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.98 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.5% 11.7% 21.1% (2014 est.)

female

21.1% (2014 est.)

male

11.7%

total

16.5%

Urbanization

32.2% of total population (2017) 2.44% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.44% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

32.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands

Capital

Harare 17 49 S, 31 02 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

17 49 S, 31 02 E

name

Harare

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1965 (at Rhodesian independence), 1979 (Lancaster House Agreement), 1980 (at Zimbabwean independence); latest final draft completed January 2013, approved by referendum 16 March 2013, approved by Parliament 9 May 2013, effective 22 May 2013 proposed by the Senate or by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament and assent by the president of the republic; amendments to constitutional chapters on fundamental human rights and freedoms and on agricultural lands also require approval by a majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2017 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the Senate or by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament and assent by the president of the republic; amendments to constitutional chapters on fundamental human rights and freedoms and on agricultural lands also require approval by a majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2017 (2017)

history

previous 1965 (at Rhodesian independence), 1979 (Lancaster House Agreement), 1980 (at Zimbabwean independence); latest final draft completed January 2013, approved by referendum 16 March 2013, approved by Parliament 9 May 2013, effective 22 May 2013

Country name

Republic of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia takes its name from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (13th-15th century) and its capital of Great Zimbabwe, the largest stone structure in pre-colonial southern Africa

conventional long form

Republic of Zimbabwe

conventional short form

Zimbabwe

etymology

takes its name from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (13th-15th century) and its capital of Great Zimbabwe, the largest stone structure in pre-colonial southern Africa

former

Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS, Jr. (since 25 February 2016) 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare P.O. Box 3340, Harare [263] (4) 250-593 through 250-594 [263] (4) 796-488, or 722-618

chief of mission

Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS, Jr. (since 25 February 2016)

embassy

172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare

FAX

[263] (4) 796-488, or 722-618

mailing address

P.O. Box 3340, Harare

telephone

[263] (4) 250-593 through 250-594

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ammon MUTEMBWA (since 18 November 2014) 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 332-7100 [1] (202) 483-9326

chancery

1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Ammon MUTEMBWA (since 18 November 2014)

FAX

[1] (202) 483-9326

telephone

[1] (202) 332-7100

Executive branch

Executive President Emmerson MNANGAGWA (since 24 November 2017); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President Phelekezela MPHOKO; note - Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987) resigned 11/21/17; First Vice President Emmerson MNANGAGWA was dismissed by President MUGABE on 6 November 2017 Executive President Emmerson MNANGAGWA (since 24 November 2017); note - following the 31 July 2013 presidential election, the position of prime minister was abolished Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to House of Assembly each presidential candidate nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least 1 candidate from each province) and directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 31 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018); co-vice presidents drawn from party leadership Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE (ZANU-PF) 61.1%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI (MDC-T) 34.4%, Welshman NCUBE (MDC-N) 2.7%, other 1.8%; note - the election process was considered flawed and roundly criticized by election monitors and international bodies; both the African Union and the South African Development Community endorsed the results of the election with some concerns

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to House of Assembly

chief of state

Executive President Emmerson MNANGAGWA (since 24 November 2017); First Vice President (vacant); Second Vice President Phelekezela MPHOKO; note - Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987) resigned 11/21/17; First Vice President Emmerson MNANGAGWA was dismissed by President MUGABE on 6 November 2017

election results

Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE (ZANU-PF) 61.1%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI (MDC-T) 34.4%, Welshman NCUBE (MDC-N) 2.7%, other 1.8%; note - the election process was considered flawed and roundly criticized by election monitors and international bodies; both the African Union and the South African Development Community endorsed the results of the election with some concerns

elections/appointments

each presidential candidate nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least 1 candidate from each province) and directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 31 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018); co-vice presidents drawn from party leadership

head of government

Executive President Emmerson MNANGAGWA (since 24 November 2017); note - following the 31 July 2013 presidential election, the position of prime minister was abolished

Flag description

seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes peace; green represents agriculture, yellow mineral wealth, red the blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native people

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Independence

18 April 1980 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, an independent body consisting of the chief justice, Public Service Commission chairman, attorney general, and 2-3 members appointed by the president; judges normally serve until age 65 but can elect to serve until age 70; Constitutional Court judge appointment NA; judges serve nonrenewable 15-year terms High Court; Labor Court; Administrative Court; regional magistrate courts; customary law courts; special courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, an independent body consisting of the chief justice, Public Service Commission chairman, attorney general, and 2-3 members appointed by the president; judges normally serve until age 65 but can elect to serve until age 70; Constitutional Court judge appointment NA; judges serve nonrenewable 15-year terms

subordinate courts

High Court; Labor Court; Administrative Court; regional magistrate courts; customary law courts; special courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Roman-Dutch civil law, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (80 seats; 60 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - 6 seats in each of the 10 provinces - by proportional representation vote, 16 indirectly elected by the regional governing councils, 2 reserved for the National Council Chiefs, and 2 reserved for members with disabilities; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (270 seats; 210 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 60 seats reserved for women directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 31 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ZANU-PF 37, MDC-T 21, MDC-N 2, chiefs 18, people with disabilities 2; House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 62.4%, MDC-T 30.3%, MDC-N 4.7%, other 0.7%, independent 1.9%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 196, MDC-T 70, MDC-N 2, independent 2

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (80 seats; 60 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - 6 seats in each of the 10 provinces - by proportional representation vote, 16 indirectly elected by the regional governing councils, 2 reserved for the National Council Chiefs, and 2 reserved for members with disabilities; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (270 seats; 210 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 60 seats reserved for women directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ZANU-PF 37, MDC-T 21, MDC-N 2, chiefs 18, people with disabilities 2; House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 62.4%, MDC-T 30.3%, MDC-N 4.7%, other 0.7%, independent 1.9%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 196, MDC-T 70, MDC-N 2, independent 2

elections

last held on 31 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

"Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Northern Ndebele language] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe) Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA adopted 1994

lyrics/music

Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA

name

"Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Northern Ndebele language] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)

note

adopted 1994

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

National symbol(s)

Zimbabwe bird symbol, African fish eagle, flame lily; national colors: green, yellow, red, black, white

Zimbabwe bird symbol, African fish eagle, flame lily; national colors

green, yellow, red, black, white

Political parties and leaders

Freedom Front [Cosmas MPONDA] Movement for Democratic Change - Ncube or MDC-N [Welshman NCUBE] Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai or MDC-T [Morgan TSVANGIRAI] National People's Party or NPP [Joyce MUJURU] formerly Zimbabwe People First or ZimPF) Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Tendai BITI] Transform Zimbabwe or TZ [Jacob NGARIVHUME] Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Emmerson MNANGAGWA] Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Dumiso DABENGWA] Zimbabwe People First or ZimFirst [Maxwell SHUMBA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU] Women of Zimbabwe Arise or WOZA [Jenni WILLIAMS] Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions or ZCTU [Peter MUTASA] Zimbabwe Human Rights Association or ZimRights [Okay MACHISA] Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum [Jestina MUKOKO] Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights or ZLHR [Roselyn HANZI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$3.5 billion $4.9 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$4.9 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$3.5 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.17% (31 December 2010) 975% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2016 est.) 17% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-662 million (2016 est.) $-1.519 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$10.14 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $8.735 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.1 (2006) 50.1 (1995)

Economy - overview

Zimbabwe's economy depends heavily on its mining and agriculture sectors. Following a decade of contraction from 1998 to 2008, the economy recorded real growth of more than 10% per year in the period 2010-13, before slowing to roughly 4% in 2014 due to poor harvests, low diamond revenues, and decreased investment. Growth turned negative in 2016. Lower mineral prices, infrastructure and regulatory deficiencies, a poor investment climate, a large public and external debt burden, and extremely high government wage expenses impede the country’s economic performance. Until early 2009, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) routinely printed money to fund the budget deficit, causing hyperinflation. Adoption of a multi-currency basket in early 2009 - which allowed currencies such as the Botswana pula, the South Africa rand, and the US dollar to be used locally - reduced inflation below 10% per year. In January 2015, as part of the government’s effort to boost trade and attract foreign investment, the RBZ announced that the Chinese renmimbi, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Japanese yen would be accepted as legal tender in Zimbabwe, though transactions were predominantly carried out in US dollars and South African rand until 2016, when the rand’s devaluation and instability led to near-exclusive use of the US dollar. The government in November 2016 began releasing bond notes, a parallel currency legal only in Zimbabwe which the government claims will have a one-to-one exchange ratio with the US dollar, to ease cash shortages. Bond notes began trading at a discount of up to 10% in the black market by the end of 2016. Zimbabwe’s government entered a second Staff Monitored Program with the IMF in 2014 and undertook other measures to reengage with international financial institutions. Zimbabwe repaid roughly $108 million in arrears to the IMF in October 2016, but financial observers note that Zimbabwe is unlikely to gain new financing because the government has not disclosed how it plans to repay more than $1.7 billion in arrears to the World Bank and African Development Bank. International financial institutions want Zimbabwe to implement significant fiscal and structural reforms before granting new loans. Foreign and domestic investment continues to be hindered by the lack of land tenure and titling, the inability to repatriate dividends to investors overseas, and the lack of clarity regarding the government’s Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act.

Exchange rates

Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - 1 (2016 est.) NA (2013) 234.25 (2010) the dollar was adopted as a legal currency in 2009; since then the Zimbabwean dollar has experienced hyperinflation and is essentially worthless

note

the dollar was adopted as a legal currency in 2009; since then the Zimbabwean dollar has experienced hyperinflation and is essentially worthless

Exports

$3.366 billion (2016 est.) $3.614 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

South Africa 79.5%, Mozambique 9.5%, UAE 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

83.8% 21.6% 13.5% 0% 25.9% -44.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

25.9%

government consumption

21.6%

household consumption

83.8%

imports of goods and services

-44.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

13.5%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

12.5% 27% 60.6% (2016 est.)

agriculture

12.5%

industry

27%

services

60.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2016 est.) $2,300 (2015 est.) $2,300 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.7% (2016 est.) 1.4% (2015 est.) 2.8% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.12 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.38 billion (2016 est.) $31.77 billion (2015 est.) $30.98 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

15.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 4.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 40.4% (1995)

highest 10%

40.4% (1995)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$5.351 billion (2016 est.) $6.062 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Africa 46.6%, Zambia 24% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-3% (2016 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1.6% (2016 est.) -2.8% (2015 est.)

Labor force

7.701 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

66% 10% 24% (1996)

agriculture

66%

industry

10%

services

24% (1996)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.073 billion (13 April 2015 est.) $11.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

72.3% (2012 est.)

Public debt

69.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 59.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$407.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $433.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.617 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.753 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$271.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) $238.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.518 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.199 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.398 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.274 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.192 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Zimbabwe's central bank no longer publishes data on monetary aggregates, except for bank deposits, which amounted to $2.1 billion in November 2010; the Zimbabwe dollar stopped circulating in early 2009; since then, the US dollar and South African rand have been the most frequently used currencies; there are no reliable estimates of the amount of foreign currency circulating in Zimbabwe

note

Zimbabwe's central bank no longer publishes data on monetary aggregates, except for bank deposits, which amounted to $2.1 billion in November 2010; the Zimbabwe dollar stopped circulating in early 2009; since then, the US dollar and South African rand have been the most frequently used currencies; there are no reliable estimates of the amount of foreign currency circulating in Zimbabwe

Taxes and other revenues

24.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

95% (2009 est.) 80% (2005 est.) data include both unemployment and underemployment; true unemployment is unknown and, under current economic conditions, unknowable

note

data include both unemployment and underemployment; true unemployment is unknown and, under current economic conditions, unknowable

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

11 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

7.63 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.239 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

58% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

37.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.139 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.129 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

9.384 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

8,500,000 40% 80% 21% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

21% (2013)

electrification - total population

40%

electrification - urban areas

80%

population without electricity

8,500,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

29,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

26,390 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

government owns all local radio and TV stations; foreign shortwave broadcasts and satellite TV are available to those who can afford antennas and receivers; in rural areas, access to TV broadcasts is extremely limited; analog TV only, no digital service (2017)

Internet country code

.zw

Internet users

3,363,256 23.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

23.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

3,363,256

Telephone system

competition has driven rapid expansion of telecommunications, particularly cellular voice and mobile broadband, in recent years; continued economic instability and infrastructure limitations, such as reliable power, hinder progress consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, fiber-optic cable, VSAT terminals, and a substantial mobile-cellular network; Internet connection is most readily available in Harare and major towns; two government owned and two private cellular providers; 3G and VoIP services are widely available with 4G/LTE service being deployed country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 5 international digital gateway exchanges; fiber-optic connections to neighboring states provide access to international networks via undersea cable (2017)

domestic

consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, fiber-optic cable, VSAT terminals, and a substantial mobile-cellular network; Internet connection is most readily available in Harare and major towns; two government owned and two private cellular providers; 3G and VoIP services are widely available with 4G/LTE service being deployed

general assessment

competition has driven rapid expansion of telecommunications, particularly cellular voice and mobile broadband, in recent years; continued economic instability and infrastructure limitations, such as reliable power, hinder progress

international

country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 5 international digital gateway exchanges; fiber-optic connections to neighboring states provide access to international networks via undersea cable (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

305,720 2 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

305,720

Telephones - mobile cellular

12,878,926 89 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

89 (July 2016 est.)

total

12,878,926

Airports

196 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

7 (2013)

over 3,047 m

3

total

17

Airports - with unpaved runways

72 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

104

total

179

under 914 m

72 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Z (2016)

National air transport system

370,164 962,642 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

962,642 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

370,164

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

4

number of registered air carriers

2

Pipelines

refined products 270 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Binga, Kariba (Zambezi)

river port(s)

Binga, Kariba (Zambezi)

Railways

3,427 km 3,427 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2014)

narrow gauge

3,427 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2014)

total

3,427 km

Roadways

97,267 km 18,481 km 78,786 km (2002)

paved

18,481 km

total

97,267 km

unpaved

78,786 km (2002)

Waterways

(some navigation possible on Lake Kariba) (2011)

Military branches

Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) (2012)

Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF)

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) (2012)

Military expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2016) 2.34% of GDP (2015) 2.32% of GDP (2014) 2.34% of GDP (2013) 2.26% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women are eligible to serve (2012)

Disputes - international

Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

Illicit drugs

transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa

Refugees and internally displaced persons

5,925 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (2016) undetermined (political violence, violence in association with the 2008 election, human rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2015) 300,000 (2016)

IDPs

undetermined (political violence, violence in association with the 2008 election, human rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2015)

refugees (country of origin)

5,925 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (2016)

stateless persons

300,000 (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and girls from towns bordering South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia are subjected to forced labor, including domestic servitude, and prostitution catering to long-distance truck drivers; Zimbabwean men, women, and children experience forced labor in agriculture and domestic servitude in rural areas; family members may recruit children and other relatives from rural areas with promises of work or education in cities and towns where they end up in domestic servitude and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and men are lured into exploitative labor situations in South Africa and other neighboring countries Tier 3 - Zimbabwe does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government passed an anti-trafficking law in 2014 defining trafficking in persons as a crime of transportation and failing to capture the key element of the international definition of human trafficking – the purpose of exploitation – which prevents the law from being comprehensive or consistent with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol that Zimbabwe acceded to in 2013; the government did not report on anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts during 2014, and corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary remain a concern; authorities made minimal efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, relying on NGOs to identify and assist victims; Zimbabwe’s 2014 anti-trafficking law required the opening of 10 centers for trafficking victims, but none were established during the year; five existing shelters for vulnerable children and orphans may have accommodated child victims; in January 2015, an inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee was established, but it is unclear if the committee ever met or initiated any activities (2015)

current situation

Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and girls from towns bordering South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia are subjected to forced labor, including domestic servitude, and prostitution catering to long-distance truck drivers; Zimbabwean men, women, and children experience forced labor in agriculture and domestic servitude in rural areas; family members may recruit children and other relatives from rural areas with promises of work or education in cities and towns where they end up in domestic servitude and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and men are lured into exploitative labor situations in South Africa and other neighboring countries

tier rating

Tier 3 - Zimbabwe does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government passed an anti-trafficking law in 2014 defining trafficking in persons as a crime of transportation and failing to capture the key element of the international definition of human trafficking – the purpose of exploitation – which prevents the law from being comprehensive or consistent with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol that Zimbabwe acceded to in 2013; the government did not report on anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts during 2014, and corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary remain a concern; authorities made minimal efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, relying on NGOs to identify and assist victims; Zimbabwe’s 2014 anti-trafficking law required the opening of 10 centers for trafficking victims, but none were established during the year; five existing shelters for vulnerable children and orphans may have accommodated child victims; in January 2015, an inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee was established, but it is unclear if the committee ever met or initiated any activities (2015)