People not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: People not using safely managed sanitation facilities was 12.72 million people in 2024. ▲ Rising
People not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, people not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe stood at 12.72 million people. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 22.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, people not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe peaked at 12.72 million people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8.22 million people, in 2000.
Zimbabwe ranks 41st of 150 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
People not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8.22 million people | — |
| 2001 | 8.27 million people | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 8.35 million people | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 8.45 million people | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 8.53 million people | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 8.66 million people | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 8.80 million people | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 8.96 million people | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 9.11 million people | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 9.28 million people | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 9.47 million people | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 9.73 million people | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 9.98 million people | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 10.20 million people | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 10.42 million people | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 10.64 million people | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 10.87 million people | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 11.10 million people | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 11.34 million people | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 11.59 million people | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 11.82 million people | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 12.06 million people | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 12.27 million people | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 12.49 million people | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 12.72 million people | +1.8% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 12.72 million people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9.24 million people, 1.4× the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 12.72 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 16.78 million people, 76% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.66 million people | 8.22 million people | 9.28 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.53 million people | 9.47 million people | 11.59 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.27 million people | 11.82 million people | 12.72 million people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- 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)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2024)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 122.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 11,077 2010 = 100 (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is people not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe?
- People not using safely managed sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe was 12.72 million people in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest people not using safely managed sanitation facilities recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 12.72 million people in 2024.
- What is the lowest people not using safely managed sanitation facilities recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.22 million people in 2000.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for people not using safely managed sanitation facilities?
- Zimbabwe ranks 41st out of 150 countries with data for 2024.
- Is people not using safely managed sanitation facilities rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of People not using safely managed sanitation facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People not using safely managed sanitation services might practice open defecation, use unimproved sanitation facilities, or use improved facilities that do not safely manage human waste.