Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas was 18.76 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe, 2000–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe is 18.76, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 6.4% on the previous year and down 40.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe peaked at 48.46 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 18.76, in 2024.
Zimbabwe ranks 31st of 175 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 48.46 | — |
| 2001 | 48.46 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 47.17 | -2.7% |
| 2003 | 45.88 | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 44.59 | -2.8% |
| 2005 | 43.3 | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 42.01 | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 40.71 | -3.1% |
| 2008 | 39.42 | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 38.13 | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 36.84 | -3.4% |
| 2011 | 35.55 | -3.5% |
| 2012 | 34.26 | -3.6% |
| 2013 | 32.96 | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 31.67 | -3.9% |
| 2015 | 30.38 | -4.1% |
| 2016 | 29.09 | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 27.8 | -4.4% |
| 2018 | 26.51 | -4.6% |
| 2019 | 25.21 | -4.9% |
| 2020 | 23.92 | -5.1% |
| 2021 | 22.63 | -5.4% |
| 2022 | 21.34 | -5.7% |
| 2023 | 20.05 | -6.1% |
| 2024 | 18.76 | -6.4% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 18.76 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 10.97, 1.7× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 18.76 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 19.7, 95% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 43.81 | 38.13 | 48.46 | 10 |
| 2010s | 31.03 | 25.21 | 36.84 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.34 | 18.76 | 23.92 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 28 Ethiopia 20.44 compare
- 29 Lesotho 19.7 compare
- 30 Democratic Republic of Congo 18.85 compare
- 32 Marshall Islands 18.68 compare
- 33 Papua New Guinea 17.3 compare
- 34 Botswana 16.65 compare
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.1903 (2026)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.2726 (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.8086 (2026)
- Country level monthly temperature anomalies -0.5886 (2026)
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Urban area long term, annual growth rate 1.8 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban area long term, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban area long term, per capita 0.0002 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe?
- Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas in Zimbabwe was 18.76 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 48.46 in 2000.
- What is the lowest open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.76 in 2024.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas?
- Zimbabwe ranks 31st out of 175 countries with data for 2024.
- Is open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Open defecation in rural areas vs urban areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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