Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents was 12.1% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 12.1% for share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 17.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe peaked at 14.7% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
That places Zimbabwe 107th out of 180 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1975 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 12.3% | — |
| 1995 | 14.1% | +14.5% |
| 2000 | 14.7% | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 14.7% | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 14.7% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 14.1% | -4.0% |
| 2020 | 12.1% | -13.8% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 12.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 17.4%, 70% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 12.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.2%, 100% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 13.2% | 12.3% | 14.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 14.7% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 14.4% | 14.1% | 14.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 12.1% | 12.1% | 12.1% | 1 |
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)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe?
- Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents in Zimbabwe was 12.1% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 14.7% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents?
- Zimbabwe ranks 107th out of 180 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities with more than 1 million residents. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of the total population living in cities with 1 million or more people. City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.