The government says the rate of unemployment in Zimbabwe is 16%. The statistics is likely to be met with doubt by the public who estimate that the rate of unemployment is much higher than 16%. Zimbabwe’s largest Trade Union ZCTU suggests that unemployment in Zimbabwe is over 90%.
Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency pegged 2,2 million as economically active people employed by the informal sector. The informal sector contributes 79% of the 2,9 million employable people in Zimbabwe.
What other organisations say about Zimbabwe unemployment
ZCTU is also backed by the American government’s CIA statistics which estimated unemployment at 95% in 2009. The current unemployment rate is unknown to the CIA. It is also important to note that ZCTU is a pro opposition organisation and it is possible that they inflated their numbers.
Inflation rate
Zimbabwe’s inflation rate as at end of February was 540.16%. The figure is also argued to be suppressed by ZIMSTAT as they seek to portray a good image of Zimbabwe’s economic outlook..
Zimbabwe has been experiencing persisting economic challenges that started in the late 1998 due to failed policies by the government and sanctions that were imposed by Western Countries over human rights abuses.