Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

6 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.zw

Internet users [time series]

30,000 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

1.14 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

212,000 (in addition there are about 20,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

70,000 (1999)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

16 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

370,000 (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.5 billion expenditures: $2.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $279 million (FY96/97 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

ZWD

Debt - external [time series]

$4.1 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$200 million (2000 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles to consolidate earlier moves to develop a market-oriented economy. Its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, has already drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF suffers delays in part because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999 and 60% in 2000. The economy is being steadily weakened by excessive government deficits and AIDS; Zimbabwe has the highest rate of infection in the world. Per capita GDP, which is twice the average of the poorer sub-Saharan nations, will increase little if any in the near-term, and Zimbabwe will suffer continued frustrations in developing its agricultural and mineral resources.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.939 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.564 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.78 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 69.98% hydro: 30.02% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 54.9451 (January 2001), 43.2900 (2000), 38.3142 (1999), 21.4133 (1998), 11.8906 (1997), 9.9206 (1996)

Exports [time series]

$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

tobacco 29%, gold 7%, ferroalloys 7%, cotton 5% (1999 est.)

Exports - partners [time series]

South Africa 10%, UK 9%, Malawi 8%, Botswana 8%, Japan 7%, (1999 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $28.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 28% industry: 32% services: 40% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-6.1% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 46.9% (1990)

Imports [time series]

$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactures 18%, chemicals 17%, fuels 14% (1999 est.)

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 46%, UK 6%, China 4%, Germany 4%, US 3% (1999 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

60% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

5.5 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

60% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

50% (2000 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 390,580 sq km land: 386,670 sq km water: 3,910 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Montana

Climate [time series]

tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

1,930 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 23% other: 57% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Natural resources [time series]

coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Terrain [time series]

mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

Administrative divisions [time series]

8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands

Capital [time series]

Harare

Constitution [time series]

21 December 1979

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe conventional short form: Zimbabwe former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affairs Earl M. IRVING embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 16-17 March 1996 (next to be held NA March 2002); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 92.7%, Abel MUZOREWA 4.8%; Ndabaningi SITHOLE 2.4%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 483-9326

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[263] (4) 796487

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

18 April 1980 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; High Court

Legal system [time series]

mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral parliament, called House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for six-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors) elections: last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 47.2%, MDC 45.6%, ZANU-Ndonga 0.7%, United Parties 0.7%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 63, MDC 56, ZANU-Ndonga 1

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; Popular Democratic Front or PDF [Austin CHAKAODZA]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Ndabaningi SITHOLE]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert MUGABE]; Zimbabwe Unity Movement or ZUM [Edgar TEKERE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

National Constitutional Assembly or NCA

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated to keep whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$127 million (FY99/00)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

3.1% (FY99/00)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,996,631 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,860,167 (2001 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 38.68% (male 2,223,332; female 2,172,479) 15-64 years: 57.69% (male 3,319,982; female 3,236,286) 65 years and over: 3.63% (male 208,785; female 204,502) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

24.68 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

23.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

25.06% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

160,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1.5 million (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

62.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 37.13 years male: 38.51 years female: 35.7 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 85% male: 90% female: 80% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Zimbabwean(s) adjective: Zimbabwean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment

Population [time series]

11,365,366 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.15% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.28 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

significant transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets

Airports [time series]

455 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 437 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 209 under 914 m: 224 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 212 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Binga, Kariba

Railways [time series]

total: 2,759 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,759 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double track) (1995 est.)

Waterways [time series]

the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting chrome ore from Harare to Mozambique