A demographic profile of Zimbabwe
Abstract
This study is based mainly on the Rhodesian census data of 1969.
The country Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) is situated in Southern Africa.
A dual economic structure developed through time, which placed most of the
wealth and social and physical infrastructure in the hands of the Whites.
This was accompanied by an underdevelopment in most spheres' of life for
the Black population.
Prior to this study, fragmented pieces of research on the demographic
characteristics of the Zimbabweans existed, with an emphasis on the fertility
aspects of the Black population. This study has attempted to consolidate
existing knowledge of the demography of the Africans while, at the same time,
estimating new demographic parameters from census data. Aspects of
population distribution, internal migration, urbanization and international
migration are touched upon. Although emphasis is on the Black population,
demographic characteristics of the White population are also given, mainly
for comparative purposes.