Demographics of Zimbabwe

Demographicfeatures of thepopulationofZimbabweincludepopulation density,ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
The population of Zimbabwe has grown during the 20th century. This is in accordance with the model of a developing country with highbirth ratesand falling death rates, resulting in relatively high population growth rate (around 3% or above in the 1960s and early 1970s). After a spurt in the period 1980–1983 following independence, a decline in birth rates set in. Since 1991, however, there has been a jump in death rates from a low of 10 per 1000 in 1985 to a high of 25 per 1000 in 2002/2003. It has since subsided to just under 22 per 1000 (estimate for 2007) a little below the birth rate of around 27 per 1000.
ZimStat released the 2022 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results which showed that Zimbabwe's population had increased by 16.2% and stood at 15.1 million people as at 20 April 2022
Based on the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects, the population of Zimbabwe was estimated by theUnited Nationsat 15,993,524 in 2021. About 38.9% comprised youths under 15, while another 56.9% grouped persons aged between 15 and 65 years. Only around 4.2% of citizens were apparently over 65.
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2020):
Registration of vital events in Zimbabwe is not complete. The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR):
Fertility data as of 2010–2011 (DHS Program):
Life expectancyfrom 1950 to 2021 (UN World Population Prospects):
According to 2012 Census report, 99.6% of the population is of African origin.Of the rest of the population, the great bulk—perhaps 30,000 persons—areWhite Zimbabweansof European ancestry, a minority which had diminished in size prior to independence.
The vast black majority has grown at a projected annual rate of 4.3% since 1980.Although present figures are difficult to ascertain, the white community once reproduced itself at an annual rate (under 1.5%) similar to that of most totals indeveloped nations.Of the two major ethnolinguistic categories,Shonaspeakers formed a decisive plurality at (80<)% and occupied the eastern two-thirds of Zimbabwe.Ndebelespeakers constitute about 16%, and none of the other indigenous ethnic groups came to as much as 2% in recent decades.African speakers of nonindigenous languages included migrant workers fromMalawi,Zambia, andMozambique.
Over 90% ofWhite Zimbabweansare ofBritishorBritish diasporanorigin;at various times, many emigrated fromSouth Africaand elsewhere.AfterWorld War II, Zimbabwe (thenSouthern Rhodesia) received a substantial influx of emigrants from the United Kingdom—a handful previously resided in other colonies such as India, Pakistan andKenya. Also represented on a much smaller scale were individuals ofAfrikaner,Greek, andPortugueseorigin.AfterRhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independencein 1965,Ian Smith's administration removed technical obstacles to immigration fromsouthern Europe.
A heavily urbanisedColouredpopulation is descended, partially, from early unions between White Rhodesian settlers and local Black African females. Many, however, can also trace their ancestry to theDutch/Khoisanmulatto clans of theCape.
With the exception of a select few who were brought to Zimbabwe as railroad workers, mostAsians in Zimbabwearrived from India pursuing employment orentrepreneurship. An educated class, they have traditionally engaged in retail trade or manufacturing.
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages:Chewa,Chibarwe, English,Kalanga,Koisan,Nambya,Ndau,Ndebele,Shangani,Shona,sign language,Sotho,Tonga,Tswana,Venda, andXhosa.English  is widely used in administration, law and schools, though less than 2.5%, mainly the white andColoured(mixed race) minorities, consider it their native language. The rest of the population speakShona(70%) andNdebele(20%), Kalanga (2%), etc.Shona has a rich oral tradition, which was incorporated into the first Shona novel,FesobySolomon Mutswairo, published in 1956.English is spoken primarily in the cities, but less so in rural areas.  Television news is broadcast in English, Shona and Ndebele though the local languages time slot falls out of prime viewing time, but radio broadcasts in English, Ndebele, Shona, Kalanga, Nambya, Venda, Suthu and Tonga. English, Ndebele and Shona are given far more airtime.
Christians comprise 85% of the Zimbabwean population. Of that number, 61% regularly attendChristianchurches.The largest Christian churches are Anglican, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and Methodist. However, like most former Europeancolonies, Christianity is often mixed with enduring traditional beliefs. Besides Christianity,ancestral worship(Amadlozi) is the most practised non-Christianreligionwhich involves ancestor worship andspiritualintercession. Under 1% of the population isMuslim, although many Zimbabweans are influenced by Abrahamic food laws.
This article incorporatespublic domain materialfromThe World Factbook(2025 ed.).CIA.(Archived 2007 edition.)