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Mobile phones, beds, and hoes top Zimbabwe household ownership
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Mobile phones, beds, and agricultural tools such as axes and hoes are the most commonly owned household items in Zimbabwe, according to the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) for 2023–24.
The national survey, conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), was carried out between December 2023 and May 2024. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of household possessions across urban and rural Zimbabwe.
According to the findings, mobile phone ownership has reached near saturation, with 92 percent of households reporting possession of at least one device, underscoring the central role of mobile technology in everyday life.
Beds were the second most commonly owned item, with 83 percent of households reporting ownership, followed by agricultural tools - specifically axes and hoes - owned by 76 percent of respondents. These statistics reflect Zimbabwe's deeply rooted agrarian lifestyle and the enduring significance of subsistence farming.
"The survey also collected information on household effects, means of transportation, and ownership of agricultural land and farm animals. The most commonly owned household items in Zimbabwe are mobile phones (92 percent), beds (83 percent), and axe or hoe (76 percent)," the report noted.
However, the survey also highlighted a stark urban-rural divide in household ownership patterns.
Urban households were more likely to own a wider range of consumer goods, including cars, trucks, and electronic appliances, than their rural counterparts.
"Ownership of household items is higher among urban than rural households except for agricultural equipment or tools, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries," the report said.
The same trend was observed in transportation: private cars and trucks are more common in cities, with 22 percent of urban households reporting ownership compared to just 7 percent in rural areas.
Meanwhile, rural households dominated in ownership of agricultural land and livestock, with 75 percent owning farming land and 74 percent reporting possession of farm animals. In contrast, only 16 percent and 22 percent of urban households owned land and livestock, respectively.
The 2023–24 ZDHS report provides critical data to inform national planning, development strategies, and efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide in household welfare and asset distribution.
The national survey, conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), was carried out between December 2023 and May 2024. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of household possessions across urban and rural Zimbabwe.
According to the findings, mobile phone ownership has reached near saturation, with 92 percent of households reporting possession of at least one device, underscoring the central role of mobile technology in everyday life.
Beds were the second most commonly owned item, with 83 percent of households reporting ownership, followed by agricultural tools - specifically axes and hoes - owned by 76 percent of respondents. These statistics reflect Zimbabwe's deeply rooted agrarian lifestyle and the enduring significance of subsistence farming.
"The survey also collected information on household effects, means of transportation, and ownership of agricultural land and farm animals. The most commonly owned household items in Zimbabwe are mobile phones (92 percent), beds (83 percent), and axe or hoe (76 percent)," the report noted.
However, the survey also highlighted a stark urban-rural divide in household ownership patterns.
Urban households were more likely to own a wider range of consumer goods, including cars, trucks, and electronic appliances, than their rural counterparts.
"Ownership of household items is higher among urban than rural households except for agricultural equipment or tools, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries," the report said.
The same trend was observed in transportation: private cars and trucks are more common in cities, with 22 percent of urban households reporting ownership compared to just 7 percent in rural areas.
Meanwhile, rural households dominated in ownership of agricultural land and livestock, with 75 percent owning farming land and 74 percent reporting possession of farm animals. In contrast, only 16 percent and 22 percent of urban households owned land and livestock, respectively.
The 2023–24 ZDHS report provides critical data to inform national planning, development strategies, and efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide in household welfare and asset distribution.
Source - Sunday News
