Zimbabwe’s GDP per capita recorded a 472% increase over the 25-year period from 2000 to 2024

key takeaways:

  • Zimbabwe’s GDP per capita nearly quintupled since 2000, marking a 472% increase over 25 years.
  • The country's GDP per capita declined consistently from 2001 to 2008.
  • It soared to $3,448.1 in 2017, which is still the highest in the country's history.
  • The GDP per capita plummeted to $2,271.9 in 2019, recording a (34.1%) decrease.

At the turn of the millennium, Zimbabwe’s nominal GDP per capita was roughly $562.6, a reflection of lingering economic strain. By 2008, the economy had plunged into a full-scale collapse, with GDP per capita plummeting to $340.7 as inflation skyrocketed into hyperinflation.

In April 2009, Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency and adopted a multi-currency system, chiefly using the US dollar. This marked a turning point. GDP per capita recovered to around US $735.4 in 2009 and continued climbing to approximately US $1,037.2 by 2011. Between 2012 and 2017, GDP per capita rose steadily from about US $1,238.6 to a peak of US $3,448.1, which is still the highest in the country's history.

The country experienced a dip in 2018 and the GDP per capita fell to $2,271.9, marking [a] $1,176.2 (34.1%) decrease, and further declining to $1,683.9 in 2019, a $507.7 (22.4%) decrease. The economy showed resilience and the GDP per capita was able to increase to $1,730.5 in 2020 despite Covid 19. By 2024, Zimbabwe achieved a remarkable turnaround. The GDP per capita rose to $2,656.4, recording more than fivefold growth in 25 years.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2000-2024
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
The Nigerian Army commands over half of Nigeria’s proposed 2026 defence budget, more than every other force combined
  • The Army has been allocated ₦1.50tn, more than half of the top-ten defence allocations, making it the backbone of Nigeria’s security spending.
  • The Navy (₦443.9bn) and Air Force (₦407.2bn) come next, but together they are far behind the Army.
  • Institutions like the Defence Intelligence Agency, Training and Doctrine Command, and Defence Missions receive meaningful but much smaller funding, reinforcing their support-role status.
  • The Defence Space Administration (₦37.3bn) is on the table, but its small size shows Nigeria is only cautiously stepping into cyber- and space-based security.
Finance, budget, and economic planning ministries command half of Nigeria’s 2026 top allocations
  • The Federal Ministry of Finance dominates with ₦16.78 trillion, accounting for nearly ₦1 in every ₦3 spent among the top ministries.
  • Combined, the ministries of Finance and Budget & Economic Planning control more than 50% of the listed allocations, underscoring the government’s focus on fiscal strategy and economic agenda.
  • The Works and Defence sectors rank third and fourth, reflecting continuous prioritisation of infrastructure development and national security.
  • Education and Health, while critical, receive smaller shares, signalling potential pressure points in human capital development funding
Mauritius ranks 15th globally, securing the number-one spot in Africa on the economic freedom index
  • Mauritius is the continent’s strongest performer by a wide margin, leading with a score of 75, and ranking 15th globally.
  • Botswana and Cape Verde are the only other African countries with a score close to 70, placing them within the global top 40.
  • Most of Africa’s top 15 countries score between 56 and 60, indicating moderate levels of economic freedom.
  • Even Africa’s highest performers trail global leaders, showing persistent gaps in rule of law, regulatory efficiency, and open-market conditions.
Presidential air fleet budget falls 15% after 2024 peak
  • Allocation declined by ₦290 m from ₦6.16bn in 2025 to a proposed ₦5.87bn in 2026.
  • The change represents a 4.7% year-on-year reduction in funding.
  • Despite the decline, allocations remain broadly flat, with no major expansion in 2026.
  • The 2026 figure is still a proposal, and actual funding figures may change after legislative review.
97% of businesses in Kogi are aware of Nigeria's 2025 tax reform, while 99% in Abia are not
  • Kogi entrepreneurs have the highest tax policy awareness in Nigeria (96.8%) in 2025.
  • Abia has the lowest awareness nationwide at just 1.4%.
  • Fewer than one-third of Nigerian states have awareness levels above 60%.
  • Major economic hubs like Lagos and Rivers have awareness below 50%.
  • Northern states dominate the top awareness rankings more than southern states.
  • Several states cluster around the 40–50% range, indicating partial reach.
  • States with low awareness risk lower compliance and higher friction during enforcement.
  • The gap between the highest and lowest states exceeds 95 percentage points, showing extreme disparity.
10 Nigerian states and the FCT cut their external debt by a combined $227.19 million in H1 2025
  • Ten states and the FCT collectively reduced their external debt by $227.19 million in H1 2025.
  • Lagos, Edo, and Rivers accounted for most of the reductions, making up more than three-quarters of the total.
  • Several smaller states also trimmed their balances, but by relatively modest amounts.
  • These reductions significantly offset the increases recorded by 26 other states, helping keep nationwide net external debt growth low.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved