Nearly half of Zimbabwean men between the ages of 15 and 49 have never been married, according to new figures released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
The data comes from the 2023–24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), officially launched on Monday, June 3.
According to the findings, 45% of men in the key reproductive age group have never married, while 48% are currently married or cohabiting. Another 6% are divorced or separated, and just 1% are widowed.
“In Zimbabwe, significant gender disparities in marital status are evident among individuals aged 15–49,” the ZDHS report stated.
It found that 62% of women in that age group are married or living with a partner, much higher than the 48% recorded among men. Women were also twice as likely to be divorced or separated (12%) than men (6%).
The survey also revealed that only 9% of currently married women in Zimbabwe have had their marriages formally registered with the state. This figure is higher in urban areas (16%) than in rural areas (4%).
In addition to marital trends, the report presented data on child health and mortality. The under-five mortality rate has dropped from 102 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1999 to 69 per 1,000 in 2023–24. However, infant mortality has risen from 50 to 56 deaths per 1,000 live births since 2015. Neonatal mortality is now at 37 per 1,000—the highest recorded level.
Sexual activity trends among men were also surveyed. The data shows that 3% of men aged 25–49 had their first sexual experience before age 15, 25% before age 18, and over half (51%) were sexually active by age 20.
In an interview with the Herald newspaper, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary in the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care, said the findings are important for shaping national policy.
“This data is crucial for ongoing reviews of our National Health Strategy and National Development Strategy for 2021–2025,” he said.
ZimStat Director General Tafadzwa Bandama also told the Herald positive progress in other health areas. “We are encouraged by improvements in contraceptive use, child nutrition, increased use of insecticide-treated nets, and a reduction in maternal mortality,” Bandama said. “These gains reflect the combined efforts of the government, partners, and communities.”
Zimbabwean citizens interviewed by African Times said both global trends and local challenges shape the country’s low marriage rates among men.
“Numbers of marriages are declining the world over because the idea of marriage is no longer the same,” said media scholar Tendai Manyangadze, a PhD Candidate at Rhodes University
“In Zimbabwe, those changes are further amplified by the harsh economic and political conditions and high unemployment. When based in Zimbabwe, it is nearly impossible to raise money needed to pay for lobola, weddings, and day-to-day living as a couple.”
Manyangadze also pointed to the effects of migration. “The family structure has been impacted negatively by the rampant migration of most people in search of greener pastures,” he said.
Sakhile Dube, a PhD candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said shifting values are also playing a role. “While many Zimbabweans still value marriage, its role is evolving. Economic challenges, urbanization, and exposure to global ideas have led some young people to delay marriage or question its necessity,” she said. “There’s also growing awareness of gender equality and individual rights, which has led to changing expectations within marriage.”
Joyful Ncube, who also spoke to African Times, said financial instability is one of the biggest barriers. “For a young man to get married, you have to work extra hard just to gather the money,” Ncube said. “People are now opting not to get married, not because they don’t want to, but because the situation doesn’t allow it.”
Ncube added that migration and changing lifestyles have made forming long-term relationships more difficult. “Many people have left the country. They’re working long hours abroad and don’t have time to meet people. Some now prefer to cohabit or stay single by choice,” he said.
He also noted that traditional support systems around marriage are fading. “In the past, families were deeply involved in marriage. Today, many get married in private, without guidance from elders. This lack of preparation can lead to problems, including abuse,” he said.
