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Divorce among Zimbabwean women up by nearly 100,000 in 10 years
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Zimbabwe has witnessed a significant increase in the number of divorced or separated women over the past decade, according to the newly released 2025 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The report, produced by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and development partners, highlights that 12 percent of women aged 15 to 49 are now divorced or separated, up from 9 percent in 2015.
This shift represents an increase of nearly 100,000 women over a ten-year period. With Zimbabwe's total population estimated at 16 million and about 3.2 million women falling within the 15 to 49 age group, the figures indicate a rise from approximately 288,000 divorced or separated women in 2015 to 384,000 in 2025. In contrast, the proportion of divorced or separated men rose only modestly from 4 percent to 6 percent during the same period.
The report suggests that the growing number of women leaving marriages may reflect broader societal changes, including a rise in awareness of legal rights, greater economic independence, and shifting gender norms that are making it easier for women to walk away from abusive or unfulfilling relationships. The data also points to notable gender disparities in marital status. As of 2025, 62 percent of women aged 15 to 49 are married or living with a partner, a figure that has remained consistent since 2015. However, the proportion of men in unions has declined from 50 percent to 48 percent over the same period.
The proportion of never-married individuals has remained relatively stable. Forty-five percent of men in this age group have never married, a figure unchanged from 2015, while the percentage of never-married women decreased slightly from 25 percent to 23 percent. Widowhood among women saw a small decline from 4 percent to 3 percent, while it remained at 1 percent for men, a change that may reflect improvements in male life expectancy or access to healthcare.
Marriage remains nearly universal in Zimbabwe, but the patterns of marital entry and dissolution are clearly changing. The 2015 ZDHS noted that by the age of 45 to 49, only 4 percent of women and 2 percent of men had never been married. These statistics remain largely unchanged in 2025.
Experts say the evolving marital landscape in Zimbabwe calls for a reassessment of public policy. Programs targeting only married couples may now overlook substantial segments of the population, particularly sexually active unmarried adults and divorced or separated women who may be more vulnerable to economic and health-related challenges.
A demographic analyst involved in the survey said the increase in divorce rates among women was an important signal for government and development partners to design inclusive, gender-sensitive policies that reflect the lived experiences of modern Zimbabweans. As societal attitudes evolve, the institution of marriage in Zimbabwe is not losing relevance but is undergoing significant transformation in terms of stability and timing. The findings point to a growing need for mental health support, legal aid services, and economic empowerment initiatives to support the nearly 384,000 women now navigating life after marriage.
This shift represents an increase of nearly 100,000 women over a ten-year period. With Zimbabwe's total population estimated at 16 million and about 3.2 million women falling within the 15 to 49 age group, the figures indicate a rise from approximately 288,000 divorced or separated women in 2015 to 384,000 in 2025. In contrast, the proportion of divorced or separated men rose only modestly from 4 percent to 6 percent during the same period.
The report suggests that the growing number of women leaving marriages may reflect broader societal changes, including a rise in awareness of legal rights, greater economic independence, and shifting gender norms that are making it easier for women to walk away from abusive or unfulfilling relationships. The data also points to notable gender disparities in marital status. As of 2025, 62 percent of women aged 15 to 49 are married or living with a partner, a figure that has remained consistent since 2015. However, the proportion of men in unions has declined from 50 percent to 48 percent over the same period.
Marriage remains nearly universal in Zimbabwe, but the patterns of marital entry and dissolution are clearly changing. The 2015 ZDHS noted that by the age of 45 to 49, only 4 percent of women and 2 percent of men had never been married. These statistics remain largely unchanged in 2025.
Experts say the evolving marital landscape in Zimbabwe calls for a reassessment of public policy. Programs targeting only married couples may now overlook substantial segments of the population, particularly sexually active unmarried adults and divorced or separated women who may be more vulnerable to economic and health-related challenges.
A demographic analyst involved in the survey said the increase in divorce rates among women was an important signal for government and development partners to design inclusive, gender-sensitive policies that reflect the lived experiences of modern Zimbabweans. As societal attitudes evolve, the institution of marriage in Zimbabwe is not losing relevance but is undergoing significant transformation in terms of stability and timing. The findings point to a growing need for mental health support, legal aid services, and economic empowerment initiatives to support the nearly 384,000 women now navigating life after marriage.
Source - Health Times
