Economy, jobs and prices in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe: official figures
19.8% of the labour force aged 15 and over in Matabeleland South was unemployed at the 2022 census (strict definition: without work and looking for it), 2nd highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 14.8%); the rate was 28.0% for women and 15.5% for men.
How many young people in Matabeleland South are unemployed?
Among young people aged 15 to 34 in the labour force, 22.0% were unemployed in Matabeleland South in 2022, 2nd highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 18.2%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyHow many people in Matabeleland South have a job?
23.0% of people aged 15 and over in Matabeleland South were counted as employed at the 2022 census and 28.7% were in the labour force, 5th lowest of the 10 provinces for the share in work (Zimbabwe: 27.7% and 32.5%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyHow much does it cost to live in Matabeleland South?
ZIMSTAT's Total Consumption Poverty Line for Matabeleland South, the monthly cost of basic food and non-food needs for one person, was ZWG 1,664.17 in October 2026, the most expensive of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: ZWG 1,354.65); it was 8.5% higher than a year earlier (Zimbabwe: 4.6% higher).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyHow much does food cost in Matabeleland South?
The Food Poverty Line for Matabeleland South, the cost of the minimum food basket for one person, was ZWG 1,104.59 a month in October 2026, the most expensive of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: ZWG 926.32); a household of five needed about ZWG 8,320.87 a month to stay above the total poverty line.
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyHow many homes in Matabeleland South have electricity?
18.6% of households in Matabeleland South used electricity as their main source of lighting at the 2022 census, 4th lowest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 33.2%); 25.4% relied mainly on solar lanterns or lights.
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyHow many homes in Matabeleland South have internet?
35.0% of households in Matabeleland South had access to the internet at the 2022 census, 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 34.2%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) · saved copyDo people in Matabeleland South have clean drinking water?
66.7% of people in Matabeleland South had at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2023-24, 5th highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 72.4%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Matabeleland South have a proper toilet?
41.8% of people in Matabeleland South had at least a basic sanitation service (an improved toilet not shared with other households) in 2023-24, and 28.5% had no toilet at all; 5th lowest of the 10 provinces for basic sanitation (Zimbabwe: 45.5% and 16.8%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyMore figures
- 21.4% of women aged 15 to 49 in Matabeleland South had a bank account or used a mobile phone for financial transactions in the 12 months before the 2023-24 survey, the lowest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 47.8%). Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copy
How Matabeleland South compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate, strict definition (age 15+) (2022)
Matabeleland South ranks 2 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, strict definition (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matabeleland North | 22.7% |
| 2 | Matabeleland South | 19.8% |
| 3 | Midlands | 16.7% |
| 4 | Masvingo | 16.7% |
| 5 | Manicaland | 16.4% |
| 6 | Mashonaland East | 16.2% |
| 7 | Bulawayo | 14.5% |
Total Consumption Poverty Line per person per month, October 2026 (ZWG) (2026-Oct)
Matabeleland South ranks 1 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Total Consumption Poverty Line per person per month, October 2026 (ZWG) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matabeleland South | ZWG 1,664.17 |
| 2 | Mashonaland East | ZWG 1,564.50 |
| 3 | Bulawayo | ZWG 1,544.62 |
| 4 | Harare | ZWG 1,502.88 |
| 5 | Midlands | ZWG 1,395.96 |
| 6 | Matabeleland North | ZWG 1,395.40 |
| 7 | Mashonaland West | ZWG 1,378.64 |
Households lit mainly by electricity (2022)
Matabeleland South ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households lit mainly by electricity |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Midlands | 28.8% |
| 5 | Manicaland | 21.0% |
| 6 | Mashonaland East | 20.2% |
| 7 | Matabeleland South | 18.6% |
| 8 | Matabeleland North | 17.0% |
| 9 | Mashonaland Central | 16.4% |
| 10 | Masvingo | 15.8% |
Population with at least basic drinking water (2023-24)
Matabeleland South ranks 5 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Population with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Harare | 93.8% |
| 3 | Mashonaland East | 80.8% |
| 4 | Mashonaland Central | 71.0% |
| 5 | Matabeleland South | 66.7% |
| 6 | Manicaland | 66.5% |
| 7 | Mashonaland West | 64.4% |
| 8 | Matabeleland North | 63.9% |
More on Matabeleland South: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Zimbabwe
Sources
- Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT): 2022 Population and Housing Census Report (Volume 1): appendix tables by province, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bdebd23be87e…)
- Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program): Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2023-24: Final Report (province rows of the tables), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0a74a171032f…)
- Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT): Poverty Datum Lines: Food and Total Consumption Poverty Lines per person per month by province, April 2024 to October 2026, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 49b9d5ceb7eb…)
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