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Matebeleland South households led by widows
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Matebeleland South has emerged as the province with the highest number of households headed by widows and the elderly, largely driven by migration of working-age groups to South Africa and Botswana in search of employment.
According to the 2025 Rural Livelihoods Assessment by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC), 54,4% of household members across surveyed areas were female compared to 45,6% male. The average age of household heads was 46 years, which falls within the economically active age range.
The report highlighted stark regional differences. Matabeleland South recorded the highest proportion of elderly-headed households at 34,7%, followed by Masvingo at 27,6% and Matabeleland North at 26,4%. Midlands stood at 20,9%, Manicaland 18,7%, Mashonaland East 18,3%, Mashonaland Central 12,8% and Mashonaland West 11,7%.
Widow-headed households were also concentrated in Matebeleland provinces. Matabeleland South accounted for 28,4%, followed by Matabeleland North (24,0%) and Masvingo (22,8%). Other provinces recorded lower levels: Midlands (19,5%), Manicaland (19,2%), Mashonaland East (19,0%), Mashonaland West (14,0%) and Mashonaland Central (12,1%).
Religious affiliation patterns also emerged, with apostolic sects making up the largest proportion of household heads at 37,3%, while 15,4% reported having no religion.
The study further revealed that Masvingo led in households with orphaned children at 18,9%, followed closely by Mashonaland West at 17,5%. ZimLAC noted that the presence of orphans increases the social and economic burden on families.
Health-related vulnerabilities were also noted, with 8,6% of households reporting at least one member with a chronic condition. The most common were hypertension (2,6%) and HIV and Aids (2,9%). In addition, 4,4% of households had at least one member living with a disability, with Masvingo topping the list at 7,2%.
ZimLAC said the findings underscore the need for targeted social protection and livelihood interventions to ease the growing pressure on households in vulnerable provinces, particularly Matabeleland South and Masvingo.
According to the 2025 Rural Livelihoods Assessment by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC), 54,4% of household members across surveyed areas were female compared to 45,6% male. The average age of household heads was 46 years, which falls within the economically active age range.
The report highlighted stark regional differences. Matabeleland South recorded the highest proportion of elderly-headed households at 34,7%, followed by Masvingo at 27,6% and Matabeleland North at 26,4%. Midlands stood at 20,9%, Manicaland 18,7%, Mashonaland East 18,3%, Mashonaland Central 12,8% and Mashonaland West 11,7%.
Widow-headed households were also concentrated in Matebeleland provinces. Matabeleland South accounted for 28,4%, followed by Matabeleland North (24,0%) and Masvingo (22,8%). Other provinces recorded lower levels: Midlands (19,5%), Manicaland (19,2%), Mashonaland East (19,0%), Mashonaland West (14,0%) and Mashonaland Central (12,1%).
Religious affiliation patterns also emerged, with apostolic sects making up the largest proportion of household heads at 37,3%, while 15,4% reported having no religion.
The study further revealed that Masvingo led in households with orphaned children at 18,9%, followed closely by Mashonaland West at 17,5%. ZimLAC noted that the presence of orphans increases the social and economic burden on families.
Health-related vulnerabilities were also noted, with 8,6% of households reporting at least one member with a chronic condition. The most common were hypertension (2,6%) and HIV and Aids (2,9%). In addition, 4,4% of households had at least one member living with a disability, with Masvingo topping the list at 7,2%.
ZimLAC said the findings underscore the need for targeted social protection and livelihood interventions to ease the growing pressure on households in vulnerable provinces, particularly Matabeleland South and Masvingo.
Source - Southern Eye
