Reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Reported cases of measles was 5,532 Cases in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe, 1976–2023
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Cases.
Analysis
In 2023, reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe stood at 5,532 Cases.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 553,100.0% over five years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe peaked at 49,812 Cases in 1988 and was at its lowest, 0 Cases, in 2008.
That places Zimbabwe 20th out of 210 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 6,112 Cases | — |
| 1977 | 9,026 Cases | +47.7% |
| 1978 | 6,081 Cases | -32.6% |
| 1979 | 8,849 Cases | +45.5% |
| 1980 | 23,650 Cases | +167.3% |
| 1981 | 4,995 Cases | -78.9% |
| 1982 | 4,941 Cases | -1.1% |
| 1983 | 36,253 Cases | +633.7% |
| 1984 | 21,662 Cases | -40.2% |
| 1985 | 22,290 Cases | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 20,388 Cases | -8.5% |
| 1987 | 17,675 Cases | -13.3% |
| 1988 | 49,812 Cases | +181.8% |
| 1989 | 47,509 Cases | -4.6% |
| 1990 | 13,728 Cases | -71.1% |
| 1991 | 24,090 Cases | +75.5% |
| 1992 | 17,346 Cases | -28.0% |
| 1993 | 34,071 Cases | +96.4% |
| 1994 | 37,785 Cases | +10.9% |
| 1995 | 8,529 Cases | -77.4% |
| 1996 | 37,407 Cases | +338.6% |
| 1997 | 12,971 Cases | -65.3% |
| 1998 | 2,049 Cases | -84.2% |
| 1999 | 772 Cases | -62.3% |
| 2000 | 1,483 Cases | +92.1% |
| 2001 | 529 Cases | -64.3% |
| 2002 | 304 Cases | -42.5% |
| 2003 | 998 Cases | +228.3% |
| 2004 | 31 Cases | -96.9% |
| 2005 | 420 Cases | +1254.8% |
| 2006 | 212 Cases | -49.5% |
| 2007 | 242 Cases | +14.2% |
| 2008 | 0 Cases | -100.0% |
| 2009 | 853 Cases | — |
| 2010 | 9,696 Cases | +1036.7% |
| 2011 | 0 Cases | -100.0% |
| 2012 | 0 Cases | — |
| 2013 | 0 Cases | — |
| 2014 | 0 Cases | — |
| 2015 | 0 Cases | — |
| 2016 | 1 Cases | — |
| 2017 | 1 Cases | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 1 Cases | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 4 Cases | +300.0% |
| 2020 | 3 Cases | -25.0% |
| 2021 | 282 Cases | +9300.0% |
| 2022 | 5,532 Cases | +1861.7% |
| 2023 | 5,532 Cases | +0.0% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 5,532 Cases is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 91 Cases, 60.8× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 5,532 Cases is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 551 Cases, 10.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +9300.0% | 3 Cases | 282 Cases |
| 2022 | +1861.7% | 282 Cases | 5,532 Cases |
| 2005 | +1254.8% | 31 Cases | 420 Cases |
| 2010 | +1036.7% | 853 Cases | 9,696 Cases |
| 1983 | +633.7% | 4,941 Cases | 36,253 Cases |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7,517 Cases | 6,081 Cases | 9,026 Cases | 4 |
| 1980s | 24,918 Cases | 4,941 Cases | 49,812 Cases | 10 |
| 1990s | 18,875 Cases | 772 Cases | 37,785 Cases | 10 |
| 2000s | 507.2 Cases | 0 Cases | 1,483 Cases | 10 |
| 2010s | 970.3 Cases | 0 Cases | 9,696 Cases | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,837 Cases | 3 Cases | 5,532 Cases | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More health data for Zimbabwe
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.39 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.11 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 874.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,457 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.9632 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0689 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.9673 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe?
- Reported cases of measles in Zimbabwe was 5,532 Cases in 2023, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of measles recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 49,812 Cases in 1988.
- What is the lowest reported cases of measles recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 Cases in 2008.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for reported cases of measles?
- Zimbabwe ranks 20th out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of measles. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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