Unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Unmet need for contraception was 10.4% in 2015. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe, 1984–2015
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 10.4% for unmet need for contraception in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 32.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe peaked at 19.1% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 10.4%, in 2014.
Zimbabwe ranks 47th of 58 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 14.1% | — |
| 1994 | 19.1% | +35.5% |
| 1999 | 16.7% | -12.6% |
| 2006 | 15.5% | -7.2% |
| 2011 | 14.6% | -5.8% |
| 2014 | 10.4% | -28.9% |
| 2015 | 10.4% | +0.2% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 10.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 20.2%, 51% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 10.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 47% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.9% | 16.7% | 19.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 15.5% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 11.8% | 10.4% | 14.6% | 3 |
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 unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe?
- Unmet need for contraception in Zimbabwe was 10.4% in 2015, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 19.1% in 1994.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.4% in 2014.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Zimbabwe ranks 47th out of 58 countries with data for 2015.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.