World · permanent entity record · ZI

Zimbabwe

Thirty-second orientation

Zimbabwe at a glance

Capital: Harare; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 16,950,795; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 390,757 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Zimbabwean(s); adjective: Zimbabwean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Shona (official, most widely spoken) 80.9%, Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken) 11.5%, English (official, traditionally used for official business) 0.3%, 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa) 7%, other 0.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Zimbabwe through time

1980-08-25
Admitted to the United Nations
Zimbabwe became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	16,950,795World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 17,472,752 (2025 est.) male: 8,503,108 female: 8,969,644CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $51.2 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $3,021; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 63.1 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 40.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 62.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 41.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Harare; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 390,757 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 16,950,795; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Shona (official, most widely spoken) 80.9%, Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken) 11.5%, English (official, traditionally used for official business) 0.3%, 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa) 7%, other 0.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Zimbabwean(s); adjective: Zimbabwean; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1980-08-25; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Apostolic Sect 40.3%, Pentecostal 17%, Protestant 13.8%, other Christian 7.8%, Roman Catholic 6.4%, African traditionalist 5%, other 1.5% (includes Muslim, Jewish, Hindu), none 8.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: green, yellow, red, black, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: Zimbabwe bird symbol, African fish eagle, flame lily; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Inyangani · 8,504 ft (2,592 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers · 531 ft (162 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: The hunter-gatherer San people first inhabited the area that eventually became Zimbabwe. Farming communities migrated to the area around A.D. 500 during the Bantu expansion, and Shona-speaking societies began to develop in the Limpopo valley and Zimbabwean highlands around the 9th century. These societies traded with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast and organized under the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. A series of powerful trade-oriented Shona states succeeded Mapungubwe, including the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (ca. 1220-1450), Kingdom of Mutapa (ca. 1450-1760), and the Rozwi Empire. The Rozwi Empire expelled Portuguese colonists from the Zimbabwean plateau, but the Ndebele clan of Zulu King MZILIKAZI eventually conquered the area in 1838 during the era of conflict and population displacement known as the Mfecane. In the 1880s, colonists arrived with the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and obtained a written concession for mining rights from Ndebele King LOBENGULA. The king later disavowed the concession and accused the BSAC agents of deceit. The BSAC annexed Mashonaland and then conquered Matabeleland during the First Matabele War of 1893-1894, establishing company rule over the territory. In 1923, the UK annexed BSAC holdings south of the Zambezi River, which became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. The 1930 Land Apportionment Act restricted Black land ownership and established rules that would favor the White minority for decades. A new constitution in 1961 further cemented White minority rule. In 1965, the government under White Prime Minister Ian SMITH unilaterally declared its independence from the UK. London did not recognize Rhodesia’s independence and demanded more voting rights for the Black majority in the country. International diplomacy and an uprising by Black Zimbabweans led to biracial elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, who led the uprising and became the nation's first prime minister, was the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) from independence until 2017. In the mid-1980s, the government tortured and killed thousands of civilians in a crackdown on dissent known as the Gukurahundi campaign. Economic mismanagement and chaotic implementation of land redistribution policies periodically crippled the economy. General elections in 2002, 2008, and 2013 were severely flawed and widely condemned but allowed MUGABE to remain president. In 2017, Vice President Emmerson MNANGAGWA became president after a military intervention that forced MUGABE to resign, and MNANGAGWA cemented power by sidelining rival Grace MUGABE (Robert MUGABE’s wife). In 2018, MNANGAGWA won the presidential election, and he has maintained the government's longstanding practice of violently disrupting protests and politicizing institutions. Economic conditions remain dire under MNANGAGWA.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 390,757 sq km land: 386,847 sq km water: 3,910 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: about four times the size of Indiana; slightly larger than Montana; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 3,229 km border countries (4): Botswana 834 km; Mozambique 1,402 km; South Africa 230 km; Zambia 763 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 m mean elevation: 961 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 41.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 10.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 31.3% (2023 est.) forest: 35.9% (2023 est.) other: 22.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 1,740 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural river 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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society34 fields

Population: total: 17,472,752 (2025 est.) male: 8,503,108 female: 8,969,644; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: African 99.6% (predominantly Shona; Ndebele is the second largest ethnic group), other (includes Caucasian, Asiatic, mixed race) 0.4% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Shona (official, most widely spoken) 80.9%, Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken) 11.5%, English (official, traditionally used for official business) 0.3%, 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa) 7%, other 0.3% (2022 est.) note: data represent population by mother tongue; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Apostolic Sect 40.3%, Pentecostal 17%, Protestant 13.8%, other Christian 7.8%, Roman Catholic 6.4%, African traditionalist 5%, other 1.5% (includes Muslim, Jewish, Hindu), none 8.3% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.3% (male 3,315,075/female 3,254,643) 15-64 years: 57.8% (male 4,758,120/female 5,152,773) 65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 270,595/female 399,146); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 72.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 65.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 14.7 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 21.3 years (2025 est.) male: 20.3 years female: 22 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.82% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 28.18 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.578 million HARARE (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.3 years (2015 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 358 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 32.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.6 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.2 years (2024 est.) male: 65.6 years female: 68.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.42 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.68 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 92.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 47.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 62.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 7.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 52.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 37.7% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 2.8% of GDP (2021) 5.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 97.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 50.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 65.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 2.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 49.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 34.4% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 15.5% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 3.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 8.4% (2025 est.) male: 17.6% (2025 est.) female: 0.7% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9.6% (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 62.2% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.4% (2019) women married by age 18: 33.7% (2019) men married by age 18: 1.9% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 17.9% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 93.2% (2019 est.) male: 93.1% (2019 est.) female: 93.4% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; poaching; toxic waste and heavy metal pollution from mining; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 41.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 10.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 31.3% (2023 est.) forest: 35.9% (2023 est.) other: 22.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 12.578 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 7.629 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 4.949 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 14.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.45 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21.8% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 547.078 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 81.352 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 4.281 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 20 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia etymology: takes its name from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (13th-15th century) and its capital of Great Zimbabwe, which was built of stone; the name Zimbabwe comes from the Bantu phrase zimba we bahwe, meaning "houses of stones;" the former name, Rhodesia, was derived from the name of British colonial administrator Cecil RHODES; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Harare geographic coordinates: 17 49 S, 31 02 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after a village of Harare at the site of the present capital; the village name derived from a Shona chieftain, NE-HARAWA, whose name meant "he who does not sleep"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: mixed system of English common law, Roman-Dutch civil law, and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: 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 amendment process: proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament and assent of 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmerson Dambudzo MNANGAGWA (since 4 September 2023) head of government: Vice President Constantino CHIWENGA (since 11 September 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to National Assembly election/appointment process: 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); co-vice presidents drawn from party leadership most recent election date: 23 August 2023 election results: 2023: Emmerson MNANGAGWA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Emmerson MNANGAGWA (ZANU-PF) 52.6%, Nelson CHAMISA (MDC-T) 44%, Wilbert MUBAIWA (NPC) 1.2%, other 2.2% 2018: Emmerson MNANGAGWA elected president in first round; percent of vote - Emmerson MNANGAGWA (ZANU-PF) 50.7%, Nelson CHAMISA (MDC-T) 44.4%, Thokozani KHUPE (MDC-N) 0.9%, other 4% expected date of next election: 2028; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: National Assembly number of seats: 280 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 45161 parties elected and seats per party: ZANU-PF (175); Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) (104) percentage of women in chamber: 30.1% expected date of next election: August 2028 note: 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 additional seats are reserved for candidates aged 21 - 35; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate number of seats: 80 (60 directly elected; 20 indirectly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 45161 parties elected and seats per party: ZANU-PF (33); Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) (27) percentage of women in chamber: 44.3% expected date of next election: August 2028 note: 18 seats are reserved for the National Council Chiefs, and 2 reserved for members with disabilities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: 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 on 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Citizens Coalition for Change Movement for Democratic Change or MDC-T National People's Congress or NPC Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sarah BHOROMA (since 12 November 2024) chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 email address and website: general@zimembassydc.org https://zimembassydc.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela M. TREMONT (since August 2024) embassy: 2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill, Harare mailing address: 2180 Harare Place, Washington DC 20521-2180 telephone: [263] 867-701-1000 FAX: [263] 24-233-4320 email address and website: consularharare@state.gov https://zw.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, 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, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: seven equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green, with a white isosceles triangle edged in black based on the left side; in the middle of the triangle, a yellow bird is on top of a five-pointed red star meaning: the bird represents the long history of the country; white stands for peace, green for agriculture, yellow for mineral wealth, red for the blood shed to achieve independence, and black for the people; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): Zimbabwe bird symbol, African fish eagle, flame lily; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): green, yellow, red, black, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Ndebele] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe) lyrics/music: Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA history: adopted 1994; lyrics in the country's three main languages were written by Zimbabwean poet and academic MUTSWAIRO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Mana Pools National Park, Sapi, and Chewore Safari Areas (n); Great Zimbabwe National Monument (c); Khami Ruins National Monument (c); Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls (n); Matobo Hills (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: low income Sub-Saharan economy; political instability and endemic corruption have prevented reforms and stalled debt restructuring; new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency latest effort to combat ongoing hyperinflation; reliant on natural resource extraction, agriculture and remittances; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $57.391 billion (2024 est.) $56.249 billion (2023 est.) $53.399 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 2% (2024 est.) 5.3% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $3,500 (2024 est.) $3,400 (2023 est.) $3,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $44.188 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 104.7% (2022 est.) 98.5% (2021 est.) 557.2% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.4% (2024 est.) industry: 31.8% (2024 est.) services: 55.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 91.5% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12.5% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 3.6% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.1% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: sugarcane, beef, maize, cabbages, potatoes, tomatoes, milk, onions, bananas, wheat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 6.386 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 8.6% (2024 est.) 8.8% (2023 est.) 10.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 14% (2024 est.) male: 12.9% (2024 est.) female: 15.4% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 38.3% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 50.3 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% (2017 est.) highest 10%: 34.8% (2017 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 9.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $17 million (2018 est.) expenditures: $23 million (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 69.9% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 7.2% (of GDP) (2018 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: $133.877 million (2023 est.) $304.966 million (2022 est.) $348.215 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $7.603 billion (2023 est.) $7.453 billion (2022 est.) $6.575 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: UAE 45%, China 18%, South Africa 15%, Mozambique 4%, Hong Kong 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, tobacco, nickel, minerals, diamonds (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $10.293 billion (2023 est.) $9.569 billion (2022 est.) $8.104 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: South Africa 37%, China 15%, Bahamas, The 5%, Singapore 5%, UAE 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fertilizers, trucks, soybean oil, stone processing machines (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $484.973 million (2024 est.) $115.53 million (2023 est.) $598.622 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $6.671 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - 3,266.332 (2024 est.) 3,509.172 (2023 est.) 374.954 (2022 est.) 88.552 (2021 est.) 51.329 (2020 est.) note: ongoing hyperinflation rendered Zimbabwean dollar essentially worthless; introduction of Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) as new currency effective April 2024; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 50.1% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 89% electrification - rural areas: 33.7%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.491 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 8.346 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 395 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 2.297 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.864 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 32.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 65.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: production: 7.968 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 6.705 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 984,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 71,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 502 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 34,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 10.855 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 310,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 15.7 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: government owns all local radio and TV stations; foreign shortwave broadcasts and satellite TV available; in rural areas, access to TV broadcasts is extremely limited; analog TV only, no digital service (2017); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .zw; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 38% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 269,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation4 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: Z; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 144 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 5 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 3,427 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,427 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Ministry of Home Affairs: Zimbabwe Republic Police (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 30,000 active Zimbabwe Defense Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ZDF inventory is comprised mostly of Russian/Soviet-era and Chinese armaments with smaller quantities of older or obsolescent material from countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, South Africa, the UK, and the US (2025) note: since the early 2010s, Zimbabwe has been under an arms embargo from the EU, as well as targeted sanctions from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (enlisted personnel); 18-24 for officer cadets; 18-30 for technical/specialist personnel; no conscription (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the primary responsibilities of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) are protecting the country’s sovereignty and territory and securing its borders; it also has a role in domestic security and socio-economic development projects and has continued to be active in the country’s politics since the 2017 military-assisted political transition; the ZDF is part of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Standby Force and provided troops for the SADC military deployment to Mozambique from 2021-2024; Zimbabwe has defense ties with China and Russia the ZDF was formed after independence from the former Rhodesian Army and the two guerrilla forces that opposed it during the Rhodesian Civil War (aka "Bush War") of the 1970s, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA); the ZDF intervened in the Mozambique Civil War (1983-1992), the Democratic Republic of Congo during the Second Congo War (1998-2003), and the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) during the late 1990s (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA; established in 2019 and officially launched in 2021) (2025) note: ZINGSA is under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology Development; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: has a nascent program with the goal of using space technologies in economic development, including remote sensing capabilities to assist with monitoring or managing agriculture, food security, climate change, disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and disasters, and natural resources, as well as weather forecasting; has cooperated with Japan and Russia (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 2020 - began a program (BIRDS-5) sponsored by Japan to promote the development of a domestic space program by designing, building, testing, launching, and operating the first satellites for participating countries 2021 - established satellite ground communications station and completed national wetlands mapping project 2022 - first nano-sized remote sensing/educational satellite (ZIMSAT-1) built with Japan’s assistance and launched by Japan under the BIRDs-5 program 2024 - second RS satellite (ZIMSAT-2) built with Russian assistance and launched by Russia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 22,432 (2024 est.) IDPs: 32,675 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Zimbabwe remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/zimbabwe/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Zimbabwe at a glance

Zimbabwe through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile