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The Economy of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe at a Glance

Zimbabwe is a resource-rich southern African country once known as a regional breadbasket, whose economy has been battered by policy failures, hyperinflation and currency crises.

Zimbabwe has about 16 million people, fertile land and rich minerals including gold, platinum and lithium.

Strengths

Skilled, educated workforce, farmland, minerals and tourism sites like Victoria Falls.

Weaknesses

Repeated currency collapses, weak property rights, debt arrears and a large informal economy.

Story

A rich country’s economy shrank sharply between 1998 and 2008, and recovery has been uneven.

A large informal economy

Many Zimbabweans earn a living through street trading and small services.

Assuming Zimbabwe lacks resources

It has abundant natural wealth.

Key takeaways
  • Zimbabwe has farmland and minerals.
  • Currency crises recur.
  • The informal economy is large.
  • Recovery has been uneven.
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