Christian Aid - Zimbabwe

Economic issues

The provision of key public services such as education, health and water infrastructure have suffered. The crisis led to an exodus of professionals and skilled workers who left in search of better economic opportunities. In villages, the labour demands on women and girls increased as men and boys left.

The political situation in Zimbabwe is fragile and unpredictable. Real GDP grew by about 6% in 2009 and was estimated to grow by about 5.7 % in 2012. But despite these impressive figures, poverty is deepening and Zimbabwe was ranked 172 out of 187 countries in the UN Development Programme’s Human Development Index for 2013. In 2008, up to 80% of people survived on less than US$2 a day.