THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has embarked on a comprehensive mapping exercise to prepare for the 2025 economic census.
The mapping exercise, which kicks off today and will run until next October 31, aims to subdivide the country into smaller geographic units called Business Enumeration Areas (BEAs) to enable ZimStat to collect accurate data on establishments, including their location, size and type of business.
ZimStat said in a statement that the exercise is crucial in determining the country’s economic growth, employment rates and poverty levels with the agency collecting data from over 1.5 million establishments, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for over 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s economy.
Zimbabwe has not conducted an economic census since 2011, and the upcoming exercise is expected to provide valuable insights into the country’s economic transformation. The census will also help to identify areas that require investment and support.
Statistics show that Zimbabwe’s economy has been struggling in recent years, with GDP growth rates averaging around 2 percent per annum.
The country’s unemployment rate stands at over 80 percent, with many young people resorting to informal trading to make ends meet ZimStat has assured the public that the collected data will be treated in confidence and used solely for statistical purposes.
The agency has also urged all stakeholders to cooperate with enumerators to ensure the success of the exercise. The 2025 Economic Census is expected to commence in April 2025 and will run until June 2026. The results will be released in 2027, providing a comprehensive picture of Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.
“The success of this exercise depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders. We assure the public that the collected data will be used to improve their lives and promote economic growth,” said ZimStat public relations and communications manager, Mercy Chidemo in an appeal for support for the exercise. —New Ziana