Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age was 10.4% in 2015. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age 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 married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe is 10.4%, measured in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 32.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe peaked at 19.1% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 10.4%, in 2014.
Zimbabwe ranks 47th of 58 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 14.1% | — |
| 1994 | 19.1% | +35.5% |
| 1999 | 16.7% | -12.6% |
| 2006 | 15.5% | -7.2% |
| 2011 | 14.6% | -5.8% |
| 2014 | 10.4% | -28.9% |
| 2015 | 10.4% | +0.2% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 10.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 20.2%, 51% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 10.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 47% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.9% | 16.7% | 19.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 15.5% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 11.8% | 10.4% | 14.6% | 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)
- Population 11,652 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 11,652 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.58 % 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe?
- Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe was 10.4% 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 unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 19.1% in 1994.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.4% in 2014.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age?
- Zimbabwe ranks 47th out of 58 countries with data for 2015.
- Is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fertile, married women of reproductive age (ages 15-49) who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.