Zimbabwe: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in Zimbabwe?

Annual inflation in Zimbabwe was 3.2% in July 2026 for prices in Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) and 3.1% for prices in US dollars, according to ZIMSTAT's July 2026 price statistics release. The weighted rate, which combines both currencies, was also 3.2%. ZIMSTAT's homepage gives an August 2026 inflation rate of 0.25%.

Because goods are priced in both ZWG and US dollars, ZIMSTAT publishes separate indices for each currency and a weighted index. Month on month, ZWG prices rose 0.1% in July 2026 and US dollar prices 0.3%, with the main increases in housing, water and electricity. The full presentation includes provincial rates.

Official sources: July 2026 price statistics release · homepage · full presentation

What is the poverty line in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe's total consumption poverty line was ZWG 1,346.90 per person per month in July 2026, and the food poverty line was ZWG 923.17, according to ZIMSTAT's July 2026 price statistics release. In June 2026 the poverty datum lines were ZWG 1,345.21 and ZWG 921.72.

The food poverty line is the minimum cost of a daily intake of 2,100 calories. The total line adds essential non-food needs, and people whose spending falls below it are counted as poor. ZIMSTAT bases the lines on a fixed basket consumed by poor households, says they vary by province, and says they should not be compared with cost-of-living measures from other organisations. Its homepage gives an overall poverty headcount of 57% in 2019.

Official sources: July 2026 price statistics release · poverty datum lines

How many people in Zimbabwe live in poverty?

38.3% of Zimbabweans lived below the national poverty line in 2019, according to the World Bank, up from 30.4% in 2017. On the international line of USD 3.00 a day at 2021 prices, the poverty rate was 49.2% in 2019.

Both measures come from household consumption surveys run by ZIMSTAT, and 2019 is the latest survey year in the data. The national line is based on the cost of basic food and non-food needs in Zimbabwe, while the international line allows comparison across countries. The Gini index of inequality was 50.3 in 2019.

Official sources: World Bank · poverty rate · Gini index

What is the inflation rate in Zimbabwe?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Zimbabwe was 104.7% in 2022. The peak was 557.2% in 2020 and the low -2.4% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 9.5%; Zimbabwe is 2nd highest of 44. Worldwide: 3rd of 175.

What is household spending per person in Zimbabwe?

$859: that is household consumption per person in Zimbabwe for 2024, according to the World Bank. The peak was $1,242 in 2015 and the low $784 in 2009. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $853, and Zimbabwe placed 20th highest of 41. World rank, highest first: 132nd of 153.

What share of people in Zimbabwe live in extreme poverty?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2019, is 49.2%. In 2011 the figure was 35.7%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 59.8%, and Zimbabwe placed 4th highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 4th of 77.

What is the poverty rate in Zimbabwe?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Zimbabwe was 38.3% in 2019. That compares with 22.5% in 2011. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 38.3%, and Zimbabwe placed 3rd highest of 5. Of 62 countries with 2019 data, 4th highest.

What is income inequality in Zimbabwe?

50.3: that is the Gini index in Zimbabwe for 2019, according to the World Bank. In 2011 the figure was 43.2. It is 2nd highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 42.7. Worldwide: 4th of 77.

How many people in Zimbabwe face food insecurity?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Zimbabwe was 70.1% in 2024. The peak was 73.6% in 2021 and the low 64.7% in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 60.5%, and Zimbabwe placed 10th highest of 34. Worldwide: 13th of 135.