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Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Zimbabwe: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Zimbabwe is placed 161st of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 16.4 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 357.61 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
161st
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Zimbabwe on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
357.61
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 357.61. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 41.89 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 155.1 · Mozambique 82.22 · South Africa 117.57 · Zambia 85.45
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.598
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 153rd of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Zimbabwe: 0.598. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.848 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 0.731 · Mozambique 0.493 · South Africa 0.741 · Zambia 0.595
02Over time
Which way Zimbabwe is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe fell from 404.54 in 2000 to 357.61 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2023 358 46.7 2022 368 53.0 2021 446 76.6 2020 380 56.0 2019 388 48.4 2018 386 49.3 2017 389 47.2 2016 411 50.6 2015 428 51.9 2014 468 52.8 2013 525 53.3 2012 558 54.6 2011 564 55.0 2010 567 56.1 2009 540 56.3 2008 526 55.8 2007 519 56.8 2006 480 58.1 2005 454 60.1 2004 451 63.0 2003 455 66.8 2002 418 66.0 2001 467 68.1 2000 405 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 0.458 in 2000 to 0.598 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2023 0.598 0.7620 2022 0.594 0.7610 2021 0.581 0.7450 2020 0.582 0.7425 2019 0.584 0.7515 2018 0.586 0.7520 2017 0.575 0.7480 2016 0.570 0.7500 2015 0.567 0.7430 2014 0.560 0.7410 2013 0.554 0.7390 2012 0.545 0.7350 2011 0.529 0.7250 2010 0.512 0.7250 2009 0.488 0.7220 2008 0.456 0.7180 2007 0.459 0.7100 2006 0.457 0.7045 2005 0.455 0.6960 2004 0.453 0.6960 2003 0.450 0.6910 2002 0.459 0.6845 2001 0.456 0.6770 2000 0.458 0.6720
03In context
Zimbabwe beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Zimbabwe and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | 116th | 49.3 | 117.57 | 0.741 |
 Zambia | 142nd | 30.3 | 85.45 | 0.595 |
 Botswana | 143rd | 13.5 | 155.1 | 0.731 |
| Zimbabwe | 161st | 16.4 | 357.61 | 0.598 |
 Mozambique | 165th | 6 | 82.22 | 0.493 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Zimbabwe in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Zimbabwe is ahead of the world, and behind
49 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does better than the middle country measured.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.864.175.8No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 64.1 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 64th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1062.5718.106▲ Improved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 2.571 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.4721.8252.47▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 21.82 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6522.718.65No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 22.7 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7442.440.74No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 42.4 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 64th of 136 · derived.
Behind the world median38
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does worse than the middle country measured.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.366.869.3▲ Improved since 2016
Zimbabwe: 66.8 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 105th of 188 · derived.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.1083.246▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 3.108 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 45th of 78 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.9319.933No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 8.931 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 114th of 193 · derived.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.110.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Zimbabwe: 0.11 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 43rd of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2111.8310.21▲ Improved since 2010
Zimbabwe: 11.83 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 60th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5465.13.546No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 5.1 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 56th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.491.2494.4▲ Improved since 2017
Zimbabwe: 91.24 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.926.345.9No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 26.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.4670.564▲ Improved since 2010
Zimbabwe: 0.467 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 120th of 172 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9440.971▲ Improved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.944 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 129th of 184 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.5850.678▲ Improved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.585 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 111th of 156 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23010,64325,230No real change since 2010
Zimbabwe: 10,643 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 110th of 151 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.75723.75No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 7 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.825.913.8No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 25.9 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 41st of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0529.9317.05▼ Worsened since 2013
Zimbabwe: 29.93 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.4060.609▼ Worsened since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.406 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 130th of 169 · derived.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.819.680.8No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 19.6 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48615,21746,486No real change since 2010
Zimbabwe: 15,217 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 117th of 150 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2655,52917,265No real change since 2015
Zimbabwe: 5,529 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 145th of 185 · derived.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8349.5272.83▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 49.52 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 111th of 139 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.0613.34No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 11.06 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 156th of 195 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.5190.351▼ Worsened since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.519 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 140th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10046.6100▲ Improved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 46.6 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.133.717.1No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 33.7 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 22nd of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8589.3152.858No real change since 2014
Zimbabwe: 9.315 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 30th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10062100▲ Improved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 62 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25250.754.252No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 50.75 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16319.48.163No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 19.4 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 25th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.90.943.9No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 0.9 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8901,70412,890▼ Worsened since 2012
Zimbabwe: 1,704 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 150th of 166 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6726.7846.67▼ Worsened since 2012
Zimbabwe: 26.78 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 177th of 195 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.448.798.4No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 48.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.147.922.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 47.92 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5464.6614.54▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 64.66 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 17th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6362.7774.63▲ Improved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 62.77 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 205th of 222 · derived.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,072743.93,072No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 743.9 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 170th of 179 · derived.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2662.4412.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 62.44 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 6th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13433.688.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 33.68 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 5th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919191▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 91 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909090▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 90 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2614.9111.26Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 14.91 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 38th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5792.2282.579Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 2.228 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 70th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1310.113No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 10.1 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
No current reading for Zimbabwe
GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2019) and Prosperity Gap (last 2019). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Zimbabwe’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is Zimbabwe’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality86th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy89th of 1653/3 keys
- Work & Labour102nd of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology138th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability130th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 126th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience144th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation143rd of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital161st of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions162nd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties167th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing181st of 2004/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade168th of 1772/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 176th of 1843/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 190th of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality155th of 1592/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Zimbabwe can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles74th3/3 keysThis page
Zimbabwe161st3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Zimbabwe and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Zimbabwe on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Zimbabwe rank on development & human capital?
Zimbabwe is placed 161st of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Zimbabwe?
16.4 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Zimbabwe?
357.61 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Zimbabwe compare with South Africa on development & human capital?
South Africa is placed 116th of 196, and Zimbabwe 161st. Social Protection Coverage: South Africa 49.3, Zimbabwe 16.4; Maternal Mortality Ratio: South Africa 117.57, Zimbabwe 357.61; Human Development Index: South Africa 0.741, Zimbabwe 0.598.
How have Zimbabwe’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 404.54 in 2000 to 357.61 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.458 in 2000 to 0.598 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Zimbabwe?
No current reading is published for Zimbabwe on GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 49 statistics on this page come from 16 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Zimbabwe’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Zimbabwe (banner) — Digr, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Zimbabwe: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/zimbabwe/development