Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities was 34.3% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Share of population not using improved 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 %.
Analysis
In 2024, share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe stood at 34.3%. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe peaked at 35.8% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 34.3%, in 2024.
Zimbabwe ranks 33rd of 232 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 35.8% | — |
| 2001 | 35.6% | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 35.3% | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 35.3% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 35.3% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 35.2% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 35.2% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 35.2% | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 35.2% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 35.2% | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 35.1% | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 35.1% | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 35.1% | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 35.1% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 35.1% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 35.0% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 35.0% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 34.9% | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 34.8% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 34.7% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 34.4% | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 34.4% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 34.3% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 34.3% | -0.2% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 34.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 26.4%, 1.3× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 34.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 36.6%, 94% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35.3% | 35.2% | 35.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 35.0% | 34.7% | 35.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.4% | 34.3% | 34.6% | 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 share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe?
- Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zimbabwe was 34.3% 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 share of population not using improved sanitation facilities recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 35.8% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of population not using improved sanitation facilities recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.3% in 2024.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for share of population not using improved sanitation facilities?
- Zimbabwe ranks 33rd out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of population not using improved sanitation facilities rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- 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 Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
If no improved sanitation facility is available, people might practice open defecation or use unimproved sanitation facilities.