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Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas was 85.1% in 2024. ▬ Flat

Latest (2024)
85.1%
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
188th
of 212 countries
All-time high
91.4%
in 2006
All-time low
80.4%
in 1994
Years of data
33
1992–2024

Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe, 1992–2024

0204060801001992200820241992: 85.5 % of urban population1993: 85.5 % of urban population1994: 80.4 % of urban population1995: 85.6 % of urban population1996: 85.6 % of urban population1997: 85.6 % of urban population1998: 85.6 % of urban population1999: 87.4 % of urban population2000: 85.4 % of urban population2001: 85.3 % of urban population2002: 85.3 % of urban population2003: 85.2 % of urban population2004: 85.2 % of urban population2005: 85.1 % of urban population2006: 91.4 % of urban population2007: 85.2 % of urban population2008: 85.2 % of urban population2009: 90.9 % of urban population2010: 85.3 % of urban population2011: 83.2 % of urban population2012: 85.4 % of urban population2013: 85.5 % of urban population2014: 83.4 % of urban population2015: 81.2 % of urban population2016: 85.5 % of urban population2017: 85.5 % of urban population2018: 85.4 % of urban population2019: 85.4 % of urban population2020: 85.7 % of urban population2021: 85.3 % of urban population2022: 89 % of urban population2023: 84 % of urban population2024: 85.1 % of urban population

Source: SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of urban population.

Analysis

In 2024, access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe stood at 85.1%.

The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 2.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe peaked at 91.4% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 80.4%, in 1994.

Zimbabwe ranks 188th of 212 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 85.1% 80.4% 87.4% 8
2000s 86.4% 85.1% 91.4% 10
2010s 84.6% 81.2% 85.5% 10
2020s 85.8% 84.0% 89.0% 5

Countries ranked near Zimbabwe

  1. 185 Nigeria 85.5% compare
  2. 186 Lesotho 85.2% compare
  3. 186 Tanzania 85.2% compare
  4. 189 Solomon Islands 82.3% compare
  5. 190 Zambia 80.3% compare
  6. 191 Mozambique 79.8% compare

See the full ranking of 212 places →

More energy & mining data for Zimbabwe

All data for Zimbabwe →

Frequently asked questions

What is access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe?
Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas in Zimbabwe was 85.1% in 2024, according to SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas recorded in Zimbabwe?
The highest recorded value was 91.4% in 2006.
What is the lowest access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas recorded in Zimbabwe?
The lowest recorded value was 80.4% in 1994.
How does Zimbabwe rank for access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas?
Zimbabwe ranks 188th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
Is access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
Over the last ten years it is up 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
The figures come from SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Access to electricity in urban vs. rural areas
Unit
% of urban population
Source
SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
212 places, 6,652 data points, 1990–2024
Last refreshed

The definition used in international statistics adopts a very low cutoff for what it means to ‘have access to electricity’. It is defined as having an electricity source that can provide very basic lighting, and charge a phone or power a radio for 4 hours per day.