ZIMSTAT (Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency) is Zimbabwe’s official national statistics agency. It was established under the Census and Statistics Act of 2007, replacing the former Central Statistical Office (CSO). Its mandate is to collect, compile, analyze, and disseminate official statistics for the country.

Legal & Institutional Framework

The Statistics Act sets out ZIMSTAT’s functions, including carrying out censuses and surveys, ensuring confidentiality of data, coordinating the National Statistical System (NSS), and standardizing statistical practices. ZIMSTAT also oversees statistical production across government ministries, departments, and agencies.

Governance is provided by a Board, which includes the Director-General, a representative from the responsible Ministry, and up to eight appointed members (at least half of whom must be women).

Structure & Divisions

ZIMSTAT is organized into specialized divisions:

Division Responsibilities
Demography & Social Statistics Produces data on population, migration, births, deaths, education, health, gender, and household conditions.
National Accounts / Macroeconomics Compiles GDP, national income, expenditure, and sectoral economic performance indicators.
Production / Economic Statistics Covers industry, agriculture, trade, and production indicators.
Corporate / Support Services Provides IT, HR, finance, administration, methodology, and quality assurance support.

The agency is led by the Director-General, supported by directors of each division.

Key Functions & Activities

ZIMSTAT’s main tasks include:

Censuses & Surveys: National population censuses, household surveys, labor force surveys, and health-related surveys.

National Accounts: Publishing quarterly and annual GDP statistics and sector performance.

Price Indices: Compiling consumer price indices, producer price indices, and other price measures.

Data Dissemination: Publishing reports, bulletins, and statistical yearbooks; maintaining data archives.

Standardization: Promoting consistent methodologies and classifications across the National Statistical System.

Recent & Notable Outputs

2022 Population & Housing Census: Reported Zimbabwe’s population at about 15.18 million.

GDP & Economic Data: Provides quarterly GDP and annual national accounts.

Poverty & Living Standards Surveys: Produced poverty estimates, with the most recent figures indicating high poverty prevalence.

Open Data Initiatives: Participates in open data platforms and provides a national data archive for researchers.

Contact & Location

Headquarters: 20th Floor, Kaguvi Building, Harare.

Telephone: +263 242 706681-8 / 703971-7

Email: info@zimstat.co.zw

Key Offices: Director-General’s office and Public Relations office.