Quick facts
Zimbabwe population overview
Zimbabwe is the 26th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 17,112,041 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 881 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 501,383 births (29.3 per 1,000 people) and 124,918 deaths (7.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 54,759 people. The infant mortality rate is 30.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,809,389 in 1960 to 16,950,795 in 2025 — a change of +345%, or +2.3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 63.6 years; women have on average 3.7 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 40.3% of residents are under 15 and 3.6% are 65 or older (2025); 40.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Harare. Zimbabwe covers 390,760 km², giving a population density of about 44.4 people per km². GDP was $51.22B in 2025 — about $3,021 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Zimbabwe population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 17,368,593 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 17,112,041 |
| World rank | #74 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #26 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.9% |
| Births per year est. | 501,383 |
| Deaths per year est. | 124,918 |
| Net migration per year est. | -54,759 |
| Birth rate | 29.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 30.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 91.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 63.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 40.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 390,760 km² |
| Population density | 44.4 per km² |
| Capital | Harare |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $51.22B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,021 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Zimbabwe population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 17,368,593 | – | – |
| 2025 | 16,950,795 | +316,422 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 16,634,373 | +293,551 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 16,340,822 | +271,766 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 16,069,056 | +271,846 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 15,797,210 | +270,322 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 15,526,888 | +1,127,875 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 14,399,013 | +1,042,465 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 13,356,548 | +873,116 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 12,483,432 | +591,377 | +1% |
| 2000 | 11,892,055 | +917,456 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 10,974,599 | +837,318 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 10,137,281 | +1,450,468 | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 8,686,813 | +1,645,510 | +4.3% |
| 1980 | 7,041,303 | +942,645 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 6,098,658 | +882,740 | +3.2% |
| 1970 | 5,215,918 | +757,456 | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 4,458,462 | +649,073 | +3.2% |
| 1960 | 3,809,389 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Zimbabwe
Population over time
- From 3,809,389 in 1960 to 17,368,593 today — up 355.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 63.1 years (2024), up 9.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.7 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 29.9 births vs 7.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 22.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 40.3% of the population is under 15 and 3.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 12.86 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 19.2 Mt in 1992 — down 33.1% since.
- Per person: 0.77 t in 2024, vs 1.83 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 472.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 48.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 82.4% of final energy in 2021 (+18.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 44.7% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 48.7% to 44.7% since 1990 — roughly 15,357 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 40.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 12.5% in 1960 (+28 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 40% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 763 m³ in 2022, down 75.5% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $51.22B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 156.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,021 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 9.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 104.7% in 2022 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 41.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 94.2 per 100 people (2024).
Zimbabwe in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Zimbabwe in 2026?
As of October 2026, Zimbabwe has an estimated population of 17,368,593. The United Nations estimated 17,112,041 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Zimbabwe growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.9% per year — roughly 881 more people every day. Each year there are about 501,383 births and 124,918 deaths, with net migration of -54,759.
What is the population density of Zimbabwe?
About 44.4 people per square kilometre: 17,368,593 people living on 390,760 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Zimbabwe?
The median age is 18.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 63.6 years. 40.3% of the population is under 15 and 3.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Zimbabwe rank by population?
Zimbabwe is the 74th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 26th in Africa, with 0.2% of the global population.
How has the population of Zimbabwe changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,809,389; by 2025 it had grown to 16,950,795 (+345%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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GuatemalaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.