Zimbabwe

The population of Zimbabwe is approximately 17M (2024).

The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare.

Zimbabwe's GDP per capita is $2.6K (2024).

Life expectancy in Zimbabwe is 63.06 years (2024).

Zimbabwe covers 390,757 km² (150,872 sq mi).

Zimbabwe is sparsely populated, averaging 44 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Zimbabwe's population is growing rapidly at 1.8% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Zimbabwe falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $2.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Zimbabwe's intentional homicide rate is 6.8 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Zimbabwe has 15 official languages: Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Chewa, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language.

Zimbabwe uses the Zimbabwean dollar ($) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Zimbabwe are April, May, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Recent estimates indicate that the population of Zimbabwe has reached approximately 17 million people. This total places the country as global 73 of 215 and regional (Africa) 26 of 54. The nation also holds the rank of subregional (Southern Africa) 2 of 6 for total population.

The latest economic data shows a GDP per capita of 2585 USD for Zimbabwe. The nation currently ranks global 164 of 212 and regional (Africa) 19 of 54 for this metric. This figure is supported by a total national GDP of approximately 41.5 billion USD.

Zimbabwe maintains high education standards with an adult literacy rate of 93.23%. This performance ranks global 91 of 170 according to the latest available data. The high literacy rate reflects long-standing national investment in the education system, which remains a key priority for development.

Current data indicates that the life expectancy at birth in Zimbabwe is 63.06 years. In global health comparisons, the nation ranks global 198 of 215 for this indicator. Improvements in healthcare infrastructure and access to maternal services continue to be major focus areas for public health initiatives.

Approximately 41.64% of the Zimbabwean population currently uses the internet. This level of digital penetration ranks global 170 of 212 according to the latest estimates. Connectivity is primarily concentrated in urban centers like Harare, though mobile broadband is slowly expanding into rural districts.

The unemployment rate in Zimbabwe is currently 9.293%. This figure ranks global 42 of 186 when looking at the lowest unemployment rates globally. While the formal unemployment rate appears low, many citizens are active in the informal sector, particularly in agriculture and small-scale mining.

The estimated 2026 population of Zimbabwe is 17.2 million people. This figure is based on a current estimate projected from the latest official 2024 data, which recorded the population at 16,634,373. The country continues to experience steady growth driven by a high birth rate and a young demographic base.

Zimbabwe is currently ranked 73rd in the world for total population out of 215 countries. Within Africa, it holds the 26th position among 54 nations. In the Southern Africa subregion, it is the 2nd largest country by population, following South Africa, which remains the subregional leader.

The population density in Zimbabwe is an estimated 44.5 people per km² (115.3 people per sq mi). This places the country 160th globally and 37th within the African continent. Much of the population is concentrated in the central highveld regions where the climate is most favorable for agriculture.

The population of Zimbabwe is growing at an annual rate of approximately 1.78%. Current estimates indicate a net increase of 811 people per day. This growth is sustained by a crude birth rate of 29.9 per 1,000 people, which significantly outweighs the crude death rate of 7.5 per 1,000.

The latest fertility rate in Zimbabwe is 3.7 births per woman. This rate ranks 37th highest in the world, contributing to the country's consistent population expansion. While this figure has declined over the last few decades, it remains above the global replacement level, ensuring future population growth.

Approximately 39.9% of the population of Zimbabwe lives in urban areas. This urbanization level ranks 170th globally, indicating that the majority of the population still resides in rural, often agricultural, settings. The capital city, Harare, and the second-largest city, Bulawayo, are the primary centers for urban growth and internal migration.