Employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Employee compensation as share of government spending was 36.6% in 2018. ▼ Falling
Employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe, 2009–2018
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of expense.
Analysis
The most recent figure for employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe is 36.6%, measured in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is down 12.5% on the previous year and down 35.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe peaked at 62.8% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 36.6%, in 2018.
That places Zimbabwe 41st out of 155 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of expense | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 56.3% | — |
| 2010 | 48.8% | -13.4% |
| 2011 | 57.4% | +17.7% |
| 2012 | 62.8% | +9.4% |
| 2015 | 49.2% | -21.7% |
| 2016 | 43.9% | -10.6% |
| 2017 | 41.8% | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 36.6% | -12.5% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 36.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 31.8%, 1.2× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 36.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 36.9%, 99% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 56.3% | 56.3% | 56.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 48.6% | 36.6% | 62.8% | 7 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 38 Seychelles 37.3%
- 39 Senegal 37.1%
- 40 Sudan 36.8% compare
- 42 Saint Kitts and Nevis 35.7% compare
- 43 Marshall Islands 35.3% compare
- 44 Dominican Republic 35.2% compare
More work & labour data for Zimbabwe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1727 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2032 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0937 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.81 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,627 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16,032 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 19,130 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 18,036 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 37,167 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe?
- Employee compensation as share of government spending in Zimbabwe was 36.6% in 2018, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employee compensation as share of government spending recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 62.8% in 2012.
- What is the lowest employee compensation as share of government spending recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.6% in 2018.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for employee compensation as share of government spending?
- Zimbabwe ranks 41st out of 155 countries with data for 2018.
- Is employee compensation as share of government spending rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employee compensation as share of government spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Employee compensation includes wages, in-kind payments, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions.