Photo: Digr · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Zimbabwe: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Zimbabwe is placed 102nd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 61.42 (2025); Labour Income Share 60.33 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
102nd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Zimbabwe on work & labour — 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.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
61.42
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Zimbabwe: 61.42. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 82.89 Madagascar
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 51.96 · Mozambique 73.49 · South Africa 37.58 · Zambia 58.27
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
9.293
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 9.293. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.922 Burundi
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 24.48 · Mozambique 6.628 · South Africa 32.39 · Zambia 5.918
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
68.21
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Zimbabwe: 68.21. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 14.88 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 25.61 · Mozambique 83.68 · South Africa 11.66 · Zambia 70.17
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe fell from 61.88 in 2000 to 61.42 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2025 61.424 57.720 2024 61.335 57.694 2023 61.449 58.158 2022 58.636 57.688 2021 59.159 56.066 2020 59.093 55.691 2019 60.944 57.871 2018 61.421 56.911 2017 61.799 56.738 2016 62.175 56.845 2015 62.559 56.788 2014 63.000 56.774 2013 62.875 56.229 2012 62.750 56.289 2011 62.469 56.297 2010 62.319 56.212 2009 62.225 56.255 2008 62.196 57.308 2007 62.397 56.933 2006 62.528 56.685 2005 62.585 56.129 2004 62.690 55.465 2003 62.415 55.630 2002 62.215 55.843 2001 62.043 56.018 2000 61.884 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 55.64 in 2004 to 60.33 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2025 60.33 46.230 2024 60.79 46.060 2023 67.52 45.900 2022 63.96 45.615 2021 54.96 45.433 2020 53.46 47.267 2019 53.80 46.277 2018 52.76 46.187 2017 57.62 46.467 2016 57.39 46.798 2015 56.47 46.876 2014 56.18 47.281 2013 57.69 46.887 2012 57.92 46.231 2011 57.54 45.679 2010 54.13 46.024 2009 54.03 47.071 2008 56.96 45.312 2007 55.54 45.246 2006 55.47 45.670 2005 55.67 46.265 2004 55.64 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 5.685 in 2000 to 9.293 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2025 9.293 5.08 2024 9.435 5.15 2023 9.348 5.21 2022 10.087 5.34 2021 9.540 6.04 2020 8.617 6.38 2019 7.373 5.36 2018 6.788 5.35 2017 6.350 5.59 2016 5.896 5.90 2015 5.399 6.41 2014 4.774 6.58 2013 4.948 6.71 2012 5.057 6.79 2011 5.368 6.90 2010 5.469 7.04 2009 5.476 6.67 2008 5.401 5.79 2007 5.008 6.00 2006 4.767 6.50 2005 4.632 7.09 2004 4.390 6.80 2003 4.738 6.95 2002 5.005 6.91 2001 5.313 6.96 2000 5.685 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
ZimbabweWorld median
Zimbabwe rose from 65.53 in 2000 to 68.21 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Zimbabwe World median 2025 68.214 28.67 2024 68.341 29.04 2023 68.433 29.33 2022 68.930 29.67 2021 68.452 30.01 2020 68.463 30.54 2019 68.043 29.98 2018 68.111 30.15 2017 68.229 29.93 2016 68.495 29.91 2015 68.625 30.26 2014 68.829 30.47 2013 68.572 31.14 2012 68.395 31.00 2011 68.244 31.41 2010 68.434 32.37 2009 68.403 32.59 2008 67.968 31.76 2007 67.437 33.47 2006 66.993 34.27 2005 66.935 34.66 2004 66.649 35.51 2003 66.243 35.90 2002 65.725 35.96 2001 65.533 35.27 2000 65.527 35.67
03In context
Zimbabwe beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Zimbabwe and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mozambique | 66th | 73.49 | 61.84 | 6.628 | 83.68 |
| Zimbabwe | 102nd | 61.42 | 60.33 | 9.293 | 68.21 |
 South Africa | =134th | 37.58 | 52.64 | 32.39 | 11.66 |
 Botswana | 162nd | 51.96 | 40.05 | 24.48 | 25.61 |
 Zambia | 163rd | 58.27 | 25.93 | 5.918 | 70.17 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Zimbabwe in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Zimbabwe is ahead of the world, and behind
29 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median3
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does better than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3662.1653.36▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 62.16 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 35th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6667.7261.66▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 67.72 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 40th of 182 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6817.7616.68No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 17.76 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 65th of 139 · derived.
Behind the world median17
Statistics on which Zimbabwe does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.560.575No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 0.56 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1617.7719.16No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 17.77 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 99th of 179 · derived.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8634.4235.86▲ Improved since 2019
Zimbabwe: 34.42 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 86 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8315.5512.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 15.55 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 72nd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0723.5932.07No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 23.59 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; 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.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7671.3536.76No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 71.35 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 28th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
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.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38415,07447,384No real change since 2015
Zimbabwe: 15,074 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 168 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88541.944.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 41.94 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.615.81.61▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 5.8 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.164.2222.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 4.22 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 163rd of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5625.9612.56▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 25.96 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 8th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742826.386,742▲ Improved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 826.38 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 139th of 151 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3135.9914.31▼ Worsened since 2014
Zimbabwe: 35.99 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 6th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8182.9241.81No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 82.92 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▼ Worsened since 2015
Zimbabwe: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; 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 end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3854.3114.38Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 54.31 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 18th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8944.4438.89Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 44.44 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 27th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8470.7831.84Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 70.78 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 31st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4518.8213.45Moved since 2014
Zimbabwe: 18.82 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.016.19615.01No earlier reading
Zimbabwe: 6.196 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 110th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8811.5318.88No real change since 2015
Zimbabwe: 11.53 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 155th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5134.1659.51Moved since 2015
Zimbabwe: 34.16 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 163rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Zimbabwe
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2022), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2023), Low Pay Rate (last 2023) and Statutory Minimum Wage. 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
Work & Labour among Zimbabwe’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Zimbabwe’s 3rd 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Zimbabwe can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Tanzania=29th4/4 keysThis page
Zimbabwe102nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Zimbabwe on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Zimbabwe is placed 102nd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Zimbabwe?
61.42 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Zimbabwe?
60.33 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Zimbabwe compare with South Africa on work & labour?
South Africa is placed joint 134th of 182, and Zimbabwe 102nd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: South Africa 37.58, Zimbabwe 61.42; Labour Income Share: South Africa 52.64, Zimbabwe 60.33; Unemployment Rate: South Africa 32.39, Zimbabwe 9.293; Vulnerable Employment: South Africa 11.66, Zimbabwe 68.21.
How have Zimbabwe’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 61.88 in 2000 to 61.42 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 55.64 in 2004 to 60.33 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 5.685 in 2000 to 9.293 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 65.53 in 2000 to 68.21 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Zimbabwe?
No current reading is published for Zimbabwe on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Low Pay Rate and Statutory Minimum Wage. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 29 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Zimbabwe: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/zimbabwe/work