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

6 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.zw

Internet users [time series]

100,000 (2002)

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]

111,000 (2001)

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: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

ZWD

Debt - external [time series]

$5 billion (2001 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

57 (1990-91)

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 has been suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999, to 60% in 2000, and to 100% by yearend 2001. The economy is being steadily weakened by excessive government deficits, AIDS, and rampant inflation. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has derailed the commercial sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs. Distribution of income is extremely unequal.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

10.475 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

4.5 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.425 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 53% hydro: 47% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

$2.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

tobacco 30%, gold 11%, ferroalloys 9%, textile/clothing 3% (2000)

Exports - partners [time series]

South Africa 12.1%, UK 8.5%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 6.1%, China 5.4% (2000)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 January - 31 December

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

purchasing power parity - $28 billion (2001 est.)

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

agriculture: 11% industry: 14% services: 75% (2000 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $2,450 (2001 est.)

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

-6.5% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 47% (1990) (1990)

Imports [time series]

$1.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment 34%, other manufactures 18%, chemicals 17%, fuels 11% (1999)

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 46.3%, UK 7.2%, Germany 2.5%, US 2.8%, Japan 2.5% (2000 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-10% (2001 est.)

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]

100% (2001)

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]

60% (2001 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 390,580 sq km water: 3,910 sq km land: 386,670 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; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

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; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water

Irrigated land [time series]

1,170 sq km (1998 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: 8.4% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.26% (1998 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 Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796488

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

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 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%

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, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, 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 House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors appointed by the president) elections: last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) 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]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]

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

National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]

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 that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete 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. His misguided land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to have himself reelected.

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]

$350.6 million (FY01)

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

3.8% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,057,381 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,898,383 (2002 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37.9% (male 2,178,073; female 2,128,287) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 3,376,850; female 3,268,315) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 213,286; female 211,865) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

24.59 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

24.06 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), 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]

62.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 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: 36.5 years female: 35.1 years (2002 est.) male: 37.87 years

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]

NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

11,376,676 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 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.05% (2002 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: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.21 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Airports [time series]

454 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 413 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 197 under 914 m: 212 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (2002)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 212 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Binga, Kariba

Railways [time series]

total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double-tracked) note: includes the 318 km Bulawaya-Beitbridge Railway Company line (2001)

Waterways [time series]

chrome ore is transported from Harare - by way of the Mazoe River - to the Zambezi River in Mozambique