Zimbabweans say there is a growing gap between official claims of economic progress and the realities they face in their daily lives, according to a new report released by the SIVIO Institute. The2025 Citizen Pulsereport says about 9.9 million people in the country are living below the international poverty line, despite strong growth in sectors such as mining and agriculture. Based on a survey of more than 2 000 people across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces, the report suggests many citizens feel government priorities do not match their most urgent needs.
Researchers say the government has invested heavily in major infrastructure projects, including the $75m rural equipment facility and the Trabablas Interchange in the capital. But the report says such projects have done little to ease everyday pressures faced by ordinary people. “This mismatch often deepens frustration and erodes trust,” the report says.
“Citizens do not only judge government by the volume of activity, but by how closely that activity aligns with their own priorities.” For many Zimbabweans, those priorities centre on employment, healthcare and access to clean water. The report says vending has become the main source of income for many households, highlighting the growing role of the informal sector, which now accounts for about 64% of the country’s economic activity. The survey also found a sharp rise in public concern about corruption.
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About 44% of respondents identified corruption as the biggest obstacle to government performance, a significant increase from just 6% in the previous year. According to the report, corruption is widely viewed as a systemic problem affecting multiple sectors.
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