Zimbabwe's life expectancy rises to 65

Published: 30 September 2025

Zimbabwe's life expectancy has increased by four years to an average of 65, with women expected to live longer than men, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Officials described the rise as a positive indicator of progress under the Second Republic, despite ongoing challenges in the health sector.

The announcement came during the Public Service Commission Retirement Conference in Bulawayo, which drew nearly 2,500 delegates discussing welfare and retirement planning for civil servants. Acting Director of Policy Planning and Health Economics, Mr Tinotenda Kadzere, attributed the improvement to strides in healthcare delivery.

"Despite the challenges we face, our life expectancy in 2021 was around 61. A recent study shows that it has now improved to 65 - a four-year increase over such a short period is no small feat," he said.

The Government has accelerated the construction of new health facilities, refurbishment of referral hospitals, and equipping of medical centres nationwide. Notable achievements in Matabeleland include upgrades at Mpilo Central Hospital, the installation of an air ambulance, and a state-of-the-art automated incinerator for medical waste. At United Bulawayo Hospitals, a new Reference Laboratory is being installed with nine departments, including Haematology, Biochemistry, Histopathology, Immunology/Serology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, and Viral Load/Tuberculosis testing.

Healthcare access has improved further with the opening of a large government-funded centre in Cowdray Park in 2023, while community clinics supported by devolution funds are now operational across Matabeleland.

In the fight against HIV, Zimbabwe has achieved the 95-95-95 targets, entering the epidemic control phase in 2024. Adult ART coverage reached 96.8%, and overall viral load suppression has improved, contributing to a decline in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.

Essential medicine availability has also improved, with 80% of critical drugs now stocked in hospitals nationwide. Women's life expectancy is projected at 67 years, three years shy of the upper-middle-income target of 70, while men remain slightly behind.

Mr Kadzere highlighted that health service coverage under the universal health coverage framework now exceeds the regional average and stressed the need for continued investment to further reduce mortality. He noted a decline in maternal mortality from 615 per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 212 in 2024, approaching Sustainable Development Goal targets.

The top causes of death in Zimbabwe remain HIV/AIDS, influenza and pneumonia, road traffic accidents, coronary heart disease, diarrhoeal diseases in children under five, low birth weight, stroke, severe underweight in under-fives, birth trauma, and diabetes mellitus.
- The Chronicle

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