In 2001 Zimbabwe’s population was around to be 11,365,366, giving the nation a population density of 29 persons per sq km (75 per sq mi). With a birth rate of 25 per 1,000 and a death rate of 23 per 1,000, Zimbabwe’s population growth rate is 0.1 %. Life expectancy at birth was around at 37 years in 2001, down from 59 years in 1985. This drastic decline is largely attributable to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Zimbabwe that began in the late 1980s. Zimbabwe’s people have steadily drifted away from rural areas to the towns and cities since the 1980s. Still, by 1999 just 35 % of the populated lived in urban areas.

Population (2003 est.): 12.5 million. Annual growth rate (2003 est.): 0.83% (Note: the population growth rate is depressed by an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate around to be nearly 25%.) Ethnic groups: Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other African 11%, white 1%, mixed and Asian 1%. Religions: Christianity 75%, offshoot Christian sects, animist, and Muslim. Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele. Education: Attendance--mandatory for primary level. Adult literacy--76% (est.). Health (2003): Infant mortality rate--66/1,000. Life expectancy--men 40 (2003 est.), women 38 (2003 est.) Work force (est.): 1.33 million in formal sector.