Zimbabwe government to conduct inaugural economic census

By Xinhua

HARARE: Zimbabwe will conduct its inaugural economic census from 2025 to 2026 to provide economic indicators, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube, said Monday.

Speaking at the launch of the census, Ncube said the comprehensive survey will be undertaken by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) to produce comprehensive baseline statistics on the size and structure of the country’s economy.

“The statistics are key for evidence-based policy formulation, decision-making and strategic planning in addition to Gross Domestic Product compilation,” Ncube said.

He said the scheduled economic census will run from January 2025 until the end of 2026, with preparatory activities, including the mapping of business locations, expected to commence in 2024.

Preliminary results are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2027, with final results coming out by the end of the second quarter, the minister added.

Statistics produced from the inaugural census will also inform progress made towards regional, continental and global initiatives including the Africa Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, the minister said, adding that it will also cover micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.