Michael Gwarisa
If 100 Zimbabwean women gave birth in 2024, about 95 would have delivered their babies in a clinic or hospital, while only four would have given birth at home, reflecting the country’s continued shift towards safer, facility-based childbirth.
The figures were revealed during the launch and dissemination of the 2023-2024 Vital Statistics Report for Zimbabwe in Harare, where officials highlighted progress in maternal and newborn health services.
According to the report, 94.4 percent of registered births in 2024 occurred in health facilities, up from 93.9 percent recorded in 2023. Home deliveries declined from 5 percent in 2023 to 4.2 percent in 2024, while births occurring in other locations accounted for less than 1 percent of registered deliveries.
Presenting the findings, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) Statistician, Mr Perfect Makumbe said the data pointed to growing utilisation of health facilities by expectant mothers across the country.
“More than nine out of every 10 births are now taking place in health facilities. Institutional deliveries increased from 93.9 percent in 2023 to 94.4 percent in 2024, indicating continued progress in access to maternal health services,” said Mr Makumbe.
Health experts say increased use of health facilities during childbirth is one of the most important interventions for reducing maternal and newborn deaths, as women are more likely to have access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care when complications arise.
The trend is also reflected in findings from the 2023-24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which showed that maternal mortality has fallen significantly over the past decade. The survey estimated Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality ratio at 212 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 651 deaths per 100,000 live births recorded in the 2015 survey.
The ZDHS further found that institutional deliveries increased from 64 percent in 2010-11 to 81 percent in 2015 and reached 84 percent in 2023-24, while home deliveries declined from 35 percent to 14 percent over the same period.
In addition, 85 percent of births in the two years preceding the survey were attended by a skilled health provider, compared to 65 percent in 2010-11 and 82 percent in 2015.
While the Vital Statistics Report is based on registered births and the ZDHS is a nationally representative household survey, both datasets point to the same conclusion: more Zimbabwean women are giving birth in health facilities and accessing skilled care during pregnancy and delivery.
The report also recorded a decline in teenage motherhood. Registered births to mothers aged between 12 and 19 years fell from 12,673 in 2023 to 10,041 in 2024, with the proportion of teenage mothers declining from 9.4 percent to 8.8 percent.
Mr Makumbe said the figures reflected broader efforts by government and development partners to improve maternal and child health services across the country.
Most registered births during the period under review were to women aged between 25 and 29 years. The report also showed that urban areas accounted for the majority of registered births, with 63 percent recorded in urban areas in 2023 compared to 37 percent in rural communities. In 2024, urban areas accounted for 76 percent of registered births, while rural areas accounted for 24 percent.
Speaking during the launch, ZIMSTAT Director General, Tafadzwa Bandama said vital statistics remain an essential tool for understanding the country’s demographic and health profile.
“Vital statistics are among the most important sources of information for understanding the demographic and health profile of our nation. They provide critical insights into births, deaths, fertility patterns, mortality trends and other key population dynamics that influence the social and economic development of our country,” said Bandama.
He said the report provides a comprehensive analysis of births and deaths registered in 2023 and 2024 while also highlighting trends in fertility, teenage childbearing, mortality, marriages and divorces.
Registrar General, Henry Machiri said an effective civil registration system remains central to national development and service delivery.
“The report we are launching today is more than a collection of statistics. It is a reflection of the experiences and demographic realities of our nation. Civil registration is the cornerstone of an effective and inclusive society,” said Machiri.
