According to the latest data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), at least 45 per cent of Zimbabwean men aged 15 to 49 have never been married.
The figures were released on Monday, June 2, during the official launch of the 2023–24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey report.
ZIMSTAT reported that 48 per cent of men in this age group are currently married or living with a partner, while 45 per cent have never been married.
Meanwhile, only one per cent are widowed, and six per cent are either divorced or separated. The report reads:
In Zimbabwe, significant gender disparities in marital status are evident among individuals aged 15-49.
Notably, a higher percentage of women are currently in union (62 percent) compared to men (48 percent).
Furthermore, women experience a higher rate of divorce or separation than men (12 percent versus six percent).
Conversely, a substantial difference exists in the ‘Never married’ category, with 45 percent of men having never been married, nearly double the 23 percent of women.
While the exact reasons remain unclear, one possible factor is that many young men face financial instability, making the prospect of marriage and family commitments overwhelming.
The high costs associated with weddings, lobola negotiations, and household responsibilities may further discourage men from marrying.
More: The Herald
Since these days said 39% of the populace has solar power, I have always questioned their data. We do not see them much in the city. Where are they gathering this data from? We also have never seen any of their online surveys. Given their limited budget, they are mostly engaging in creative statistics. Let them defend their figures.