Examine long-term changes in Zimbabwe’s age structure and male and female population distribution.
Review the age and gender distribution of Zimbabwe's population and compare demographic changes over time.
As of 2025, Zimbabwe's population stands at approximately 16,950,795 people. Over the past five years it has grown by +9.17%, and over the past ten years by +17.72%.
Zimbabwe ranks 73rd of 217 countries by total population, and 62nd by five-year population growth. Growth momentum is currently accelerating (+1.52% → +1.77% per year).
By gender, female residents make up the larger share of the population, at 52.3% (52.3% female vs 47.7% male).
By broad age group, the working-age (15-64) group accounts for the largest share of the population: 40.3% are under 15, 56.2% are aged 15-64, and 3.6% are aged 65 and above.
The share of the population under 15 is currently falling, and peaked at 48.8% in 1979.
The share of the population aged 60 and above has been falling, from 5.3% in 1960 to 5.0% in 2025.
Population of Zimbabwe by Year: Total, Gender and Broad Age Groups
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL); population by gender (SP.POP.TOTL.MA.IN, SP.POP.TOTL.FE.IN); population by broad age group (SP.POP.0014.TO, SP.POP.1564.TO, SP.POP.65UP.TO). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
Zimbabwe Population by Five-Year Age Cohorts and Gender
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population by five-year age groups and sex (SP.POP.0004.MA … SP.POP.80UP.FE). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.