Brief and Focused Content Analysis 1

Zimbabwe

Current Levels and Trends

Zimbabwe has experienced fluctuating levels of poverty over the past five years.

According to the World Bank, in 2019, approximately 70% of the population lived below the

national poverty line (World Bank, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this situation,

with an estimated 49% of households experiencing income reductions by mid-2020. The

economic crisis, inflation, and recurrent droughts have also significantly impacted poverty levels,

worsening the financial situation for many Zimbabweans, especially in rural areas where access

to resources and opportunities is already limited.

Who is Poor and Who Lacks Resources

Poverty in Zimbabwe disproportionately affects rural populations, women, and minority

tribes such as the San people. These groups face significant barriers to accessing resources like

land and credit (Dube et al., 2021). Informal sector workers lack job security and access to

financial services, making improving their economic standing difficult. Women in rural areas

encounter substantial challenges in land ownership and economic opportunities due to traditional

gender roles and patriarchal norms. Youth unemployment remains high, leading to insecurity and

hopelessness among young people. Moreover, large landowners and politically connected

individuals control most fertile land and benefit from agricultural resources. At the same time,

financial institutions remain inaccessible to low-income people, limiting their access to credit.

Power, Voice, and Opportunities

Women and youth often lack a voice in decision-making processes at all levels, from

household to community and parliamentary decisions. Traditional gender roles restrict women's

participation in community and household decisions, and they face significant challenges in
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exercising autonomy over their reproductive health and rights. Early marriages and gender-based

violence are prevalent, further limiting women's control over their bodies. Political repression

and intimidation historically restrict free expression and voting rights, particularly for opposition

supporters. Additionally, rural such as Seke and Shamva districts have limited access to quality

education, healthcare services, and productive employment opportunities (Marongedza et al.,

2022). High unemployment rates among youth and women further limit their economic

opportunities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality.

Economic Factors

Zimbabwe's income distribution is marked by significant inequality. According to the

World Bank, the Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, was approximately 50.3 in

2019, indicating a high level of disparity (World Bank, 2023). The wealthiest 10% of the

population holds a disproportionately large share of the nation's wealth, while the poorest 40%

struggle to meet basic needs.

Employment rates in Zimbabwe are low, with significant underemployment and high

unemployment, particularly among youth and women. The unemployment rate was around

14.57% in 2023, with youth unemployment estimated at over 30% by the Zimbabwe National

Statistics Agency (O'Neill, 2024). Underemployment is widespread, especially in rural areas

where informal and low-paying jobs dominate.

Zimbabwe's economic growth needs to be more consistent, with periods of contraction

and modest growth. The GDP growth rate was -7.82% in 2019 due to drought and economic

instability, slightly recovering to 6.52% in 2021 (MacroTrends, 2024). However, growth has not

been inclusive, with benefits skewed towards urban areas and sectors like mining and services,

while rural agricultural communities still need to be recognized.

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Social Factors

Significant disparities mark access to education in Zimbabwe. While primary education

enrollment rates are relatively high, completion rates and access to secondary and tertiary

education remain low, particularly in rural areas. According to UNESCO, the secondary school

completion rate was just 39% in 2019 (Unesco, 2022). Girls, especially in rural areas, face higher

dropout rates due to early marriages and economic pressures.

Food insecurity is a persistent issue in Zimbabwe. The World Food Programme reported

in 2020 that approximately 7.7 million people, half the population, faced food insecurity

(Sharma, 2022). Malnutrition rates are high, with stunting affecting 27% of children under five,

indicating chronic undernutrition. Social safety nets in Zimbabwe need to be stronger and more.

Programs like the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer and the Basic Education Assistance Module

exist, but coverage and effectiveness are limited due to financial constraints and administrative

inefficiencies. Only a tiny fraction of those in need receive adequate support.

Political and Governance Factors

Government policies have had mixed impacts on poverty, inequality, and injustice. Land

reform policies, while aimed at redressing historical injustices, have often led to reduced

agricultural productivity and economic instability. Economic policies have frequently failed to

address the needs of the most vulnerable, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Corruption is pervasive in Zimbabwe, undermining resource allocation and public trust.

Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index ranked Zimbabwe 157th out of 180

countries in 2021, highlighting severe corruption that impedes effective governance and

equitable resource distribution (Transparency, 2021).

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Political instability has been a recurring issue in Zimbabwe, with frequent power

struggles and governance crises. This instability hampers effective policy implementation and

economic development, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and contributing

to social and economic inequalities. Political processes in Zimbabwe are often exclusive, with

marginalized groups, including women and minority tribes, underrepresented in decision-

making. This lack of representation perpetuates inequalities and limits the ability of these groups

to advocate for their rights and interests.

Legal and Institutional Framework

Zimbabwe's legal framework protects against discrimination, but implementation needs

to be stronger. Gender discrimination, in particular, remains widespread, with laws on paper not

translating into practice. Women and minority groups often lack access to legal recourse to

protect their rights. The institutional capacity to implement policies and programs to reduce

poverty and inequality is limited. Many institutions suffer from inadequate funding, corruption,

and inefficiencies, which hinder their ability to deliver services and support to the population

effectively.

Cultural and Societal Norms

Prevailing social norms in Zimbabwe often reinforce poverty and inequality. Gender roles

restrict women's opportunities, while ethnic prejudices marginalize minority groups. These

societal norms perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit social mobility. Gender inequality remains

a significant issue, affecting women's access to education, employment, and political

participation. Despite legal frameworks supporting gender equality, traditional practices and

societal norms continue to disadvantage women. Ethnic identities are crucial in influencing
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socioeconomic status and opportunities in Zimbabwe. Minority groups like the San people face

social exclusion and discrimination, limiting their access to resources and opportunities.

Environmental Factors

The distribution and management of natural resources are highly unequal, with large

landowners and politically connected individuals controlling most resources. This unequal

distribution exacerbates poverty and limits opportunities for marginalized communities.

Environmental degradation, driven by deforestation, land degradation, and water scarcity,

negatively impacts livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. Poor ecological management

exacerbates poverty and health issues among vulnerable populations. Climate change poses a

significant threat to Zimbabwe, with increasing droughts and erratic rainfall patterns affecting

agricultural productivity. Vulnerable communities, especially rural farmers, are most affected,

with limited resources to adapt to changing conditions.

Historical Context

Zimbabwe's colonial history and post-colonial policies have profoundly shaped current

socioeconomic structures and inequalities. Land redistribution and economic policies post-

independence have had long-lasting impacts on poverty and inequality. Past and ongoing

conflicts have led to displacement and social disruption, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Political violence and instability continue to affect social cohesion and economic development.

Statistical Data and External Influences

To quantify poverty, inequality, and injustice levels in Zimbabwe, reliable statistical data,

including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators, is essential. In 2024, Zimbabwe's

GDP per capita is approximately USD 1,434, showing slight improvement from previous years

marred by economic instability and hyperinflation. However, the GDP per capita growth rate has
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been volatile, with a significant contraction of -37.34% in 2019, improving to 29.23% in 2021

and reducing again by -5.47% in 2022 (MacroTrends, 2024). Income inequality is stark, with the

lowest 10% of the population holding only 2.1% of the income, while the highest 10% controls

about 40%. Zimbabwe's unemployment rate stood at 15.3% in 2021, with youth unemployment

exceeding 30%. The Global Gender Gap Index ranked Zimbabwe 52nd out of 156 countries in

2024, indicating notable gender disparities (World Economic Forum, 2024). The Gender

Inequality Index score of 0.72 in 2024 reflected significant inequalities in reproductive health,

empowerment, and economic activity. Approximately 40% of Zimbabwe's population lives in

areas affected by land degradation, impacting agricultural productivity and livelihoods,

especially in rural areas.

Global economic trends and trade policies significantly impact Zimbabwe's economy,

which heavily relies on agriculture and mineral exports, making it susceptible to international

commodity price fluctuations. The fall in global tobacco prices has adversely affected

Zimbabwean farmers, who depend on tobacco as a significant cash crop. Trade policies,

particularly Western sanctions imposed due to governance and human rights concerns, have

restricted Zimbabwe's access to international financial markets and investment. Regional trade

agreements within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) influence economic

interactions and market access. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated Zimbabwe's economic

challenges by disrupting global supply chains, reducing remittances, and decreasing international

export demand. This economic fallout underscored the need for diversification and resilience in

Zimbabwe's financial policies and practices.

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References

Dube, T., Ncube, C., Moyo, P., Phiri, K., & Moyo, N. (2021). Marginal communities and

livelihoods: San communities' failed transition to a modern economy in Tsholotsho,

Zimbabwe. Development Southern Africa, 38(6), 1031–1045.

https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835x.2021.1955660

MacroTrends. (2024a). Zimbabwe GDP per capita 1960-2024.

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/ZWE/zimbabwe/gdp-per-capita

MacroTrends. (2024b). Zimbabwe poverty rate 1960-2024. https://www.macrotrends.net/global-

metrics/countries/ZWE/zimbabwe/poverty-rate

Marongedza, L., Hlungwani, P. M., & Hove, P. (2022). Institutional Constraints Affecting

Secondary School student performance: A case study of rural communities in Zimbabwe.

Cogent Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2022.2163552

O'Neill, A. (2024, June 7). Zimbabwe - Youth Unemployment Rate 2004-2023. Statista.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/813214/youth-unemployment-rate-in-zimbabwe/

SHARMA, D. (2022, October 24). Contradictory trends in Zimbabwe: Human development

indicators improve, but poverty and inequality rise. World Bank Blogs.

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/africacan/contradictory-trends-zimbabwe-human-

development-indicators-improve-poverty-rises-and

Transparency, I. (2021). 2021 corruption perceptions index - explore the results.

Transparency.org. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021

UNESCO, (2022). Wide education inequalities. World Inequality Database on Education - Upper

secondary completion rate - Zimbabwe.

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https://www.education-inequalities.org/indicators/comp_upsec_v2/zimbabwe#ageGroups

=%5B%22comp_upsec_v2%22%5D&years=%5B%222019%22%5D

World Bank, G. (2023). Gini index - Zimbabwe. World Bank Open Data.

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=ZW

World Bank. (2020). Zimbabwe: Poverty and Equity Brief. World Bank Data.

https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/33EF03BB-9722-

4AE2-ABC7-AA2972D68AFE/Global_POVEQ_ZWE.pdf

World Economic Forum. (2024). Global gender gap report 2024.

https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/in-full/

benchmarking-gender-gaps-2024-2e5f5cd886/