Country Profile: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, located in Southern Africa between South Africa and Zambia, is a landlocked country characterized by a high plateau and a tropical climate. The population is approximately 17.5 million, predominantly composed of Shona and Ndebele ethnic groups. Economically, Zimbabwe faces significant challenges, including political instability, hyperinflation, and reliance on agriculture and natural resources. Governance has been marked by a history of authoritarian rule, with recent leadership under President Emmerson Mnangagwa since 2017.

Geography

Zimbabwe covers an area of 390,757 sq km, predominantly on a high plateau with the Inyangani mountain as its highest point at 2,592 m. As a landlocked nation, it shares borders with Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia, contributing to a total land boundary of 3,229 km. The country experiences a tropical climate, with a rainy season from November to March, and its terrain features major rivers such as the Zambezi and Limpopo.

41.8% of land is used for agriculture.
35.9% of the area is forested.
Zimbabwe is home to the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, and the largest reservoir by volume, Lake Kariba.

People and Society

The estimated population of Zimbabwe is 17,472,752 as of 2025, with a median age of 21.3 years. The majority of the population identifies as Shona (approximately 80.9%) and practices various religions, predominantly Christianity. Urbanization is ongoing, with around 32.5% of the population living in urban areas, particularly in Harare, the capital.

Zimbabwe has a 93.2% literacy rate (2019).
The birth rate is recorded at 28.18 births/1,000 population (2025).
38.3% of the population lives below the poverty line (2019).

Economy

Zimbabwe's economy is classified as low-income and is heavily impacted by political instability and systemic corruption. The country relies significantly on agriculture, mining, and remittances, with real GDP estimated at $57.391 billion for 2024. Despite these challenges, there has been some economic growth, with a real GDP growth rate of 2% projected for 2024.

Agriculture accounts for 5.4% of GDP (2024).
Unemployment is estimated at 8.6% for 2024.
Remittances constitute 9.4% of GDP (2023).

Government

Zimbabwe operates as a presidential republic, with the capital in Harare. The current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has held office since 2017, following a controversial political transition. The government structure includes a bicameral Parliament, comprising the National Assembly and the Senate, responsible for enacting legislation and conducting oversight.

The current constitution was approved in 2013.
Citizens must be 18 years to vote.
The next general elections are expected in 2028.

Military and Security

The Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) comprises the Zimbabwe National Army and the Air Force of Zimbabwe, with about 30,000 active personnel. Military spending is projected to be 0.4% of GDP in 2024. The military plays a significant role in both national defense and domestic security, remaining heavily involved in political matters.

Military service is voluntary for ages 18-22.
The majority of military equipment is sourced from Russia or China.

Energy

Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in energy access, with an electrification rate of 50.1% overall. The energy sector relies primarily on hydroelectricity, accounting for 65.7% of the total installed capacity, while fossil fuels contribute 32.5%. The country is working on improving its energy infrastructure to meet growing demands.

2.491 million kW is the total installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
Total energy consumption per capita is approximately 10.855 million Btu (2023).

Environment

Zimbabwe grapples with various environmental issues, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution from mining activities. The country is party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity preservation.

12.578 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions are projected for 2023.
Agricultural land usage is at 41.8% (2023).

Transportation

Zimbabwe has a network of 3,427 km of railways and 144 airports as of 2025. This infrastructure is crucial for transportation of goods and people within the country and across its borders.

There are 5 heliports in the country (2025).

Communications

Zimbabwe's communications landscape includes 15.7 million mobile cellular subscriptions, demonstrating growing access to mobile technology. However, internet penetration remains limited, with 38% of the population connected as of 2023.

Fixed-line telephone subscriptions total 310,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,472,752 (2025 est.)
Area	390,757 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$57.391 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	10.855 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	28.18 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	8.6% (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	93.2% (2019 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	67.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	32.5% of total population (2023)
Inflation rate	104.7% (2022 est.)