According to the latest Afrobarometer survey, 44% of Zimbabwe’s population ranks economic management as a top priority, signaling significant apprehension among citizens about the state of their country’s economy.
Conducted across 39 African countries between late 2021 and mid-2023, the survey reveals a surge in public concerns regarding economic management, ranking second only to unemployment among citizens’ top priorities for government action.
Zimbabweans express growing pessimism about both the national economic condition and their personal living standards, with less than half expecting improvements in the near future.
This trend underscores the pressing need for effective policies to address economic challenges and enhance economic conditions within the country.
The report highlights Zimbabwe’s alignment with broader African trends, where economic management has emerged as a critical policy concern for a significant portion of the population. Despite Zimbabwe’s struggles, the data shows below-average citizen satisfaction with the government’s handling of economic matters and job creation.
Across the surveyed countries, including Zimbabwe, citizens rate their governments poorly on economic performance indicators, reflecting widespread perceptions of inadequate government management in this area.
Only a quarter of citizens across all surveyed nations believe their government is effectively managing the economy, emphasizing the urgent need for improved governance and economic policies.
With unemployment and economic management tied as top concerns among Zimbabweans, policymakers face a pressing mandate to address these issues and pave the way for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
The survey findings serve as a crucial call to action for stakeholders to collaborate in overcoming the deep-rooted challenges hindering Zimbabwe’s economic advancement. *Nhau/Indaba*