Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s average life expectancy has risen to 65 years owing to the improved quality of life of the generality of the population, President Mnangagwa has said.
He was speaking at the official opening of the 20th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South to South and Triangular Cooperation in Population and Development being held in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
“To date, the total population of Zimbabwe has doubled from 7.6 million in 1982 to 15 million in 2022. This increase in the population growth rate is attributable to an overly improved quality of life.
“Additionally, the decline in HIV and AIDS related mortality rates owing to the increased availability of Anti-Retroviral Treatment as well as reduced mother to child transmission has had positive impacts.
“Similarly fertility rates have steadily declined, while life expectancy has increased due to comprehensive and coordinated socio-economic and health care interventions. It is notable that females have higher life expectancy compared to their male counterparts, while life expectancy has risen to 65 years,” President Mnangagwa said.
He also said the country’s national maternal mortality ration was on a decreasing trend.
“Zimbabwe’s national maternal mortality ration is on a decreasing trend, from 651 per 100 000 live births in 2015, to 362 per 100 000 live births in 2022,” he said.
