Share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Share of women using contraceptives was 66.8% in 2015. ▲ Rising
Share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe, 1984–2015
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe is 66.8%, measured in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 11.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe peaked at 67.0% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 38.4%, in 1984.
Zimbabwe ranks 29th of 116 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 38.4% | — |
| 1988 | 43.1% | +12.2% |
| 1994 | 48.1% | +11.6% |
| 1999 | 53.5% | +11.2% |
| 2006 | 60.2% | +12.5% |
| 2009 | 64.9% | +7.9% |
| 2011 | 58.5% | -9.9% |
| 2014 | 67.0% | +14.5% |
| 2015 | 66.8% | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 40.8% | 38.4% | 43.1% | 2 |
| 1990s | 50.8% | 48.1% | 53.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 62.6% | 60.2% | 64.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 64.1% | 58.5% | 67.0% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More gender data for Zimbabwe
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 6,958 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.695 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 239,901 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 244,202 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 236,403 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 240,452 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 234,239 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 238,280 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 230,913 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 234,853 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe?
- Share of women using contraceptives in Zimbabwe was 66.8% in 2015, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 67.0% in 2014.
- What is the lowest share of women using contraceptives recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.4% in 1984.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for share of women using contraceptives?
- Zimbabwe ranks 29th out of 116 countries with data for 2015.
- Is share of women using contraceptives rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using contraceptives. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.