Urban Population: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's urban population is currently 39.9% as of 2024. # Zimbabwe Urban Population Zimbabwe's urban population reached 39.
Current (2024)
39.9%
+1.5% y/y
Peak (2024)
39.9%
Low (1960)
12.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Zimbabwe
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Zimbabwe
Analysis# Zimbabwe Urban Population
Zimbabwe's urban population reached 39.893% in 2024, marking an all-time high for the country. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when just 12.467% of the population lived in urban areas—a total increase of 220% over six decades. The current figure reflects Zimbabwe's ongoing urbanization trajectory, though the nation remains predominantly rural compared to many African peers.
The 2015-2024 period shows consistent annual growth, with urban population climbing from 33.561% to 39.893%. This steady upward momentum accelerated slightly in recent years, gaining roughly 0.6 percentage points annually since 2020. If this trend continues, Zimbabwe could approach 42-43% urban population by 2030, signaling continued migration from rural to urban centers and potential shifts in the country's economic and infrastructural demands.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39.9% | +1.53% |
| 2023 | 39.3% | +1.51% |
| 2022 | 38.7% | +2.21% |
| 2021 | 37.9% | +2.32% |
| 2020 | 37.0% | +2.28% |
| 2019 | 36.2% | +2.19% |
| 2018 | 35.4% | +2.04% |
| 2017 | 34.7% | +1.82% |
| 2016 | 34.1% | +1.55% |
| 2015 | 33.6% | +1.20% |
| 2014 | 33.2% | +0.79% |
| 2013 | 32.9% | +0.33% |
| 2012 | 32.8% | +0.11% |
| 2011 | 32.8% | +0.09% |
| 2010 | 32.7% | +0.06% |
| 2009 | 32.7% | +0.05% |
| 2008 | 32.7% | +0.04% |
| 2007 | 32.7% | +0.04% |
| 2006 | 32.7% | +0.05% |
| 2005 | 32.6% | +0.06% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 32.6% | +0.09% |
| 2003 | 32.6% | +0.11% |
| 2002 | 32.6% | +0.19% |
| 2001 | 32.5% | +0.31% |
| 2000 | 32.4% | +0.42% |
| 1999 | 32.3% | +0.52% |
| 1998 | 32.1% | +0.61% |
| 1997 | 31.9% | +0.70% |
| 1996 | 31.7% | +0.79% |
| 1995 | 31.4% | +0.86% |
| 1994 | 31.2% | +0.93% |
| 1993 | 30.9% | +1.01% |
| 1992 | 30.6% | +1.36% |
| 1991 | 30.2% | +1.91% |
| 1990 | 29.6% | +2.35% |
| 1989 | 28.9% | +2.73% |
| 1988 | 28.1% | +3.01% |
| 1987 | 27.3% | +3.20% |
| 1986 | 26.5% | +3.28% |
| 1985 | 25.6% | +3.23% |
| 1984 | 24.8% | +3.05% |
| 1983 | 24.1% | +2.72% |
| 1982 | 23.5% | +2.51% |
| 1981 | 22.9% | +2.47% |
| 1980 | 22.3% | +2.43% |
| 1979 | 21.8% | +2.40% |
| 1978 | 21.3% | +2.39% |
| 1977 | 20.8% | +2.40% |
| 1976 | 20.3% | +2.42% |
| 1975 | 19.8% | +2.45% |
| 1974 | 19.4% | +2.52% |
| 1973 | 18.9% | +2.60% |
| 1972 | 18.4% | +2.72% |
| 1971 | 17.9% | +2.86% |
| 1970 | 17.4% | +3.02% |
| 1969 | 16.9% | +3.35% |
| 1968 | 16.4% | +3.78% |
| 1967 | 15.8% | +4.08% |
| 1966 | 15.1% | +4.18% |
| 1965 | 14.5% | +4.07% |
| 1964 | 14.0% | +3.69% |
| 1963 | 13.5% | +2.98% |
| 1962 | 13.1% | +2.44% |
| 1961 | 12.8% | +2.40% |
| 1960 | 12.5% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Zimbabwe
Compare Urban Population
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data