Health in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe: official figures
The 2022 census recorded an under-five mortality rate of 26.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in Matabeleland South and an infant mortality rate of 14.1; the under-five rate is the lowest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 39.7 and 24.2).
How many children in Matabeleland South are vaccinated?
68.5% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Matabeleland South had all basic vaccines in 2023-24, 50.5% had every vaccine in the national schedule and 2.2% had none; 3rd lowest of the 10 provinces for basic vaccines (Zimbabwe: 71.5%, 42.7% and 7.5%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Matabeleland South are malnourished?
32.8% of children under five in Matabeleland South were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2023-24, the highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 27.0%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyDo women in Matabeleland South give birth in a health facility?
87.2% of births in Matabeleland South in the two years before the 2023-24 survey took place in a health facility, 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 83.6%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is teenage pregnancy in Matabeleland South?
25.7% of young women aged 15 to 19 in Matabeleland South had already been pregnant in 2023-24, 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 23.2%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyDo people in Matabeleland South have health insurance?
Only 5.3% of women aged 15 to 49 in Matabeleland South had any health insurance in 2023-24, the lowest of the 10 provinces (Zimbabwe: 8.3%).
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Ministry of Health and Child Care, with ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Matabeleland South compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (2022)
Matabeleland South ranks 10 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mashonaland Central | 41.6 |
| 5 | Masvingo | 41.5 |
| 6 | Mashonaland West | 36.3 |
| 7 | Harare | 32.5 |
| 8 | Matabeleland North | 30.2 |
| 9 | Bulawayo | 27.8 |
| 10 | Matabeleland South | 26.5 |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2023-24)
Matabeleland South ranks 8 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Midlands | 75.4% |
| 5 | Masvingo | 72.5% |
| 6 | Mashonaland Central | 71.7% |
| 7 | Mashonaland East | 68.6% |
| 8 | Matabeleland South | 68.5% |
| 9 | Manicaland | 67.0% |
| 10 | Mashonaland West | 65.1% |
Children under 5 stunted (2023-24)
Matabeleland South ranks 1 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matabeleland South | 32.8% |
| 2 | Manicaland | 30.9% |
| 3 | Mashonaland Central | 29.9% |
| 4 | Midlands | 27.3% |
| 5 | Mashonaland East | 27.0% |
| 6 | Harare | 26.1% |
| 7 | Masvingo | 24.5% |
More on Matabeleland South: overview · economy and jobs · 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.