Photo: Digr · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Zimbabwe: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Zimbabwe is placed 130th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 0.824 (2024); Water Stress 46.09 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
130th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.824CO₂ Emissions per Capita, 2024Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
- 46.09Water Stress, 2023Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
- 0.01Organic Agricultural Area, 2024Organic share of agricultural land (%)
- 1.242Ecological Footprint, 2025Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Zimbabwe on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.824
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 0.824. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.065 Burundi
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.96 · Mozambique 0.249 · South Africa 6.872 · Zambia 0.565
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
46.09
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 46.09. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.83 Comoros
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.32 · Mozambique 1.75 · South Africa 67.6 · Zambia 8.62
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.01
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Zimbabwe: 0.01. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 3.14 Uganda
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 0.04 · South Africa 0.03 · Zambia 0.14
1.242
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 1.242. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.588 Mozambique
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.152 · Mozambique 0.588 · South Africa 2.56 · Zambia 1.109
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.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe fell from 1.162 in 2000 to 0.824 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2024 0.8237 3.210 2023 0.8227 3.145 2022 0.7612 3.162 2021 0.6471 3.087 2020 0.5468 2.903 2019 0.6723 3.273 2018 0.7456 3.036 2017 0.6637 3.049 2016 0.7252 2.894 2015 0.8346 2.846 2014 0.8408 2.919 2013 0.8328 2.779 2012 0.8147 2.770 2011 0.7623 2.748 2010 0.6554 2.812 2009 0.6277 2.799 2008 0.5957 2.979 2007 0.7681 2.593 2006 0.8203 2.865 2005 0.8570 2.885 2004 0.7625 2.802 2003 0.8673 2.918 2002 0.9841 2.785 2001 1.0448 2.726 2000 1.1617 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 35.74 in 2000 to 46.09 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2023 46.09 10.000 2022 46.09 10.190 2021 46.09 10.460 2020 46.09 10.460 2019 39.77 10.890 2018 35.41 10.460 2017 31.35 10.460 2016 31.94 10.460 2015 31.88 10.190 2014 32.08 10.460 2013 32.29 10.460 2012 32.49 10.460 2011 32.70 10.460 2010 32.90 10.710 2009 33.11 10.960 2008 33.31 10.815 2007 33.51 11.180 2006 34.71 10.430 2005 35.90 10.250 2004 37.09 10.715 2003 38.28 10.370 2002 39.48 10.180 2001 37.61 10.130 2000 35.74 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 0 in 2008 to 0.01 in 2024; the world median went from 0.29 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2024 0.01 0.725 2023 0.00 0.780 2022 0.01 0.740 2021 0.01 0.710 2020 0.01 0.665 2019 0.00 0.550 2018 0.00 0.490 2017 0.02 0.630 2016 0.02 0.545 2015 0.01 0.540 2014 0.00 0.470 2013 0.00 0.440 2012 0.00 0.480 2011 0.00 0.460 2010 0.01 0.330 2009 0.00 0.335 2008 0.00 0.290 2007 — 0.370 2006 — 0.305 2005 — 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe fell from 1.304 in 2000 to 1.242 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2025 1.242 2.2963 2024 1.267 2.3139 2023 1.303 2.3174 2022 1.240 2.2724 2021 1.274 2.3370 2020 1.221 2.3057 2019 1.121 2.2578 2018 1.248 2.2485 2017 1.182 2.2209 2016 1.192 2.2308 2015 1.202 2.3000 2014 1.212 2.3814 2013 1.260 2.3363 2012 1.251 2.4200 2011 1.433 2.4794 2010 1.276 2.3679 2009 1.149 2.2224 2008 1.090 2.1727 2007 1.217 2.2036 2006 1.246 2.1203 2005 1.210 2.1512 2004 1.200 2.1055 2003 1.211 2.0449 2002 1.229 2.1195 2001 1.377 2.2004 2000 1.304 1.9499
03In context
Zimbabwe beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Zimbabwe and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mozambique | 29th | 0.249 | 1.75 | 0.04 | 0.588 |
 Botswana | 55th | 2.96 | 2.32 | — | 2.152 |
 Zambia | =61st | 0.565 | 8.62 | 0.14 | 1.109 |
| Zimbabwe | 130th | 0.824 | 46.09 | 0.01 | 1.242 |
 South Africa | 172nd | 6.872 | 67.6 | 0.03 | 2.56 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Zimbabwe in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Zimbabwe is ahead of the world, and behind
44 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, 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 median7
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does better than the middle country measured.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.4450.966No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 0.445 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 170th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.172.384.17▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 2.38 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 143rd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0657.1232.06▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 57.12 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 162 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3257.1237.32▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 57.12 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 162 · derived.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1821.5118.18▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 21.51 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75383.72433.75▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 383.72 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 93rd of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4513.114.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Zimbabwe: 13.1 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median14
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does worse than the middle country measured.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.661.565▲ Improved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 1.66 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 89th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.1751.663No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 2.175 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7383.3562.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 3.356 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 56.15No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 6.1 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 51st of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
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.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.5110.45▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 0.511 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 145th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528762.962,528No real change since 2012
Zimbabwe: 762.96 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 181 · derived.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 0-0.380▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: -0.38 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.395.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 0.39 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.433.14No real change since 2015
Zimbabwe: 2.43 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 152nd of 186 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.14.216.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Zimbabwe: 4.2 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4435.4247.44▲ Improved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 35.42 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 172nd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.841.663.8No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 41.6 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 89th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 042.880▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 42.88 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end23
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8241,316,56613,824Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 1,316,566 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.2460.109No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.246 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 39th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1487.262.14Moved since 2012
Zimbabwe: 87.2 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 35th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0844.7431.08No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 44.74 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 63rd of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7086.3981.708No real change since 2011
Zimbabwe: 6.398 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 62nd of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2781,569,913689,278Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 1,569,913 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 62nd of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5251,790525No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 1,790 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69471.87325.69No real change since 2015
Zimbabwe: 471.87 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63512,8008,635Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 12,800 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 82nd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7758,5293,775Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 8,529 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9641.7937.96No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 41.79 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 93rd of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8357.5857.83Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 57.58 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37534,52352,375Moved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 34,523 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.070.144Moved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 0.07 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6318.4637.63Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 18.46 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3626.2187.36Moved since 2013
Zimbabwe: 26.21 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 140th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.794.18112.79No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 4.181 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.541.73Moved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 0.54 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 140th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.393.049Moved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 0.39 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.250.535No real change since 2013
Zimbabwe: 0.25 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 150th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.0631.474Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 1.063 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.95402.954No real change since 1990
Zimbabwe: 0 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
No current reading for Zimbabwe
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Agricultural Irrigated Land, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. 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
Environment & Sustainability among Zimbabwe’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Zimbabwe’s 5th 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 environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Zimbabwe can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Angola1st3/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
South Sudan9th2/4 keysThis page
Zimbabwe130th4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 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.
07Questions
Zimbabwe on environment & sustainability: 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 environment & sustainability?
Zimbabwe is placed 130th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Zimbabwe?
0.824 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Zimbabwe?
46.09 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Zimbabwe compare with South Africa on environment & sustainability?
South Africa is placed 172nd of 186, and Zimbabwe 130th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: South Africa 6.872, Zimbabwe 0.824; Water Stress: South Africa 67.6, Zimbabwe 46.09; Organic Agricultural Area: South Africa 0.03, Zimbabwe 0.01; Ecological Footprint: South Africa 2.56, Zimbabwe 1.242.
How have Zimbabwe’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 1.162 in 2000 to 0.824 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 35.74 in 2000 to 46.09 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0 in 2008 to 0.01 in 2024; Ecological Footprint fell from 1.304 in 2000 to 1.242 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Zimbabwe?
No current reading is published for Zimbabwe on Adjusted Net Savings, Agricultural Irrigated Land, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 44 statistics on this page come from 17 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
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Zimbabwe: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/zimbabwe/environment