Population distribution in Zimbabwe

• The population of Zimbabwe as of 18 August 2012 was 12 973 808
• 6 234 931 males and 6 738 877 females
• This population lived 3 076 222 households
• At an average of 4, 2 persons per household
• Zimbabwe has a land area of  390 757 square kilometres
• This leads to an overall population density of 33 persons per square kilometer
• Harare is the largest province with 16% of the population followed by Manicaland in which 14% of the population lives
• Harare has the largest population density of 2406 with Bulawayo next with a population density of 1 369
• This is because these provinces are for the most part metropolitan (town) provinces
• The population density in rural areas tends to be between 0 and 60 people per square kilometer
• In urban areas this goes up to over 2000 people per square kilometer
• Zimbabwe can be divided into three population distribution areas:

1. Low population density areas (0-20 people per square kilometre)

• For example Matebele Land North and South areas
• The Zambezi and Limpopo valleys
• These areas are dominated by National Parks and game reserves
• In the Zambezi areas there is the Zambezi escarpment which dissuades human settlement
• Kalahari sands in Western Zimbabwe coupled with a semi arid environment also discourages human settlement

2 Medium population density areas (21-40 people per square kilometre)

• Includes the mid veld ares, areas along rail and lines and main commercial farming areas on the highveld
• Mining centers, small industrial and commercial towns

3 High population density areas (41+ people per square kilometre)

• For example large cities such as Harare
• The Eastern Highlands ( Manicaland has a density of 48 people per square kilometre which is the highest of any rural area)
• Reserves where people where forced to settle by the Land Apportionment Act enforced during the colonial era

To access more topics go to the Geography Notes page.