Graduates enjoy better jobs, claims ZimStat

ZIMBABWEANS with higher education qualifications are enjoying better labour-market outcomes than those with lower levels of education, with graduates recording the highest labour-force participation, employment absorption and formal employment rates, latest official statistics show.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) Quality of Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2025, 76,8 percent of people with higher education were participating in the labour force, the highest rate recorded across education groups.

Their employment absorption rate stood at 70 percent, while formal employment was also highest among people with higher education at 80,4 percent.

The findings point to a strong link between educational attainment and access to employment, particularly jobs in the formal sector.

"Education plays a major role in shaping employment opportunities, job quality and labour market participation," ZimStat said.

However, the survey highlighted a more challenging labour-market environment for people with secondary education, who recorded the highest unemployment rate among the education groups.

Despite this, people with secondary education accounted for 65 percent of total employment, underscoring their significant presence in the country's workforce.

ZimStat also found that informal employment declined as educational attainment increased, further demonstrating the advantage enjoyed by people with higher qualifications in securing formal jobs.

The findings also revealed disparities between men and women, with women experiencing higher labour underutilisation than men across most education groups.

Women were more concentrated in sectors such as education, health and welfare, while men dominated fields including engineering, manufacturing and construction.

ZimStat said education remained one of the strongest pathways to better labour-market outcomes, although challenges persisted, particularly among young people and those with secondary education.

"People with higher educational attainment generally enjoy better labour market outcomes. They are more likely to participate in the labour force, obtain employment and work in the formal sector," the agency said.

The findings highlight the importance of expanding access to quality higher education and skills development as Zimbabwe seeks to improve employment opportunities and strengthen participation in the formal economy.