Sub Saharan Africa

Zimbabwe

Last updated: 19 June 2009

Country information

See entire profile

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

UK investment in and trade with Zimbabwe has declined in recent years.

UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Zimbabwe

Development

The decline of Zimbabwe's once flourishing economy means that the number of people living in poverty is increasing, with 80% of the population living on less than $2 a day (2006). On the Human Development Index Zimbabwe ranks 151 of 177 countries (HDI 2007/8, UNDP)]. The frequency of acute malnutrition declined in 2004, partly as a result of large-scale food-aid, but around half the population is still receiving food aid.

The level of HIV infection is one of the highest in the world, with 15.6% prevalence in adults aged 15-49, (Zimbabwe National HIV Estimate 2007), down from a peak of 26.5% in 2001. AIDS-related illnesses account for about three quarters of hospital admissions. As a result, life expectancy has fallen to 37 years for men and 34 for women [WHO, 2006], from an historical high of 55 years The social cost is also immense. In 2005 UNICEF found that 1 in 4 children had lost one or both parents to AIDS: the highest rate in the world.

The UK's aid to Zimbabwe is providing lifesaving social protection and humanitarian assistance until the new government can implement the political and economic reform that will allow the donor community to move to development assistance. The UK is one of the largest donors and DFID gave £49 million last year in aid. DFID announced a further £15 million package to help the people of Zimbabwe in April 2009 and expect to give around £50 million in total this year - although this could increase depending on progress on reform. All aid is channelled through UN agencies and civil society organisations.

The most recent funding is aimed at addressing a number of urgent priorities identified by Zimbabwe’s new inclusive government and focuses in particular on improvements in the health system, improving access to clean water and providing more support for small-scale farmers. DFID gave £10 million in November in response to the cholera epidemic and £9 million to the UN’s World Food Programme.

Department for International Development Country Profile: Zimbabwe