Categories: Stories

Think life in Zimbabwe is the worst on earth! Take a look

Life may be tough for most Zimbabweans but in terms of income, Zimbabwe is better off than  at least 17 other countries, according to data compiled by Visual Capitalist.

The data, collected from 108 countries, comparing the daily incomes of the richest 10% and the poorest 10%, shows that Zimbabwe is better off than at least four Southern African countries.

According to the data, 10% of the richest people in Zimbabwe have a daily income of $9.02 while the poorest earn $1.17.

Zimbabwe is better off than the Democratic Republic of Congo where the richest average $3.31 and the poorest 49 cents a day. 

In Malawi the richest earn $3.81 and the poorest 74 cents. 

Mozambique is next with $3.96 and 50 cents, respectively. 

Zambia stands at $5.52 for the richest and 50 cents for the poorest.

Southern Africa’s power houses, South Africa and Botswana, were not included in the data set but South Africa has the greatest income inequality in the world.

For comparison, Luxembourg tops the list with $165.91 for the richest and $37.03 for the poorest. 

The United States is in second place with $156.42 and $22.93 followed by Switzerland with $137.61 and 32.32,then Norway with $117.91 and $34.47,followed closely by Germany with $117.82 and $28.05.

The data report says there are many ways to compare countries economically, but each has shortcomings—GDP ignores population, while GDP per capita overlooks income distribution.

The report says while the per capita income is averaged across all people, including children and retirees, in practice, working adults are possibly earning about twice the listed amount to support their households.

(234 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

What sleeping for less than 6 hours can do to you

Sleep is a vital restorative process with measurable effects on health and overall wellbeing but…

October 12, 2025

Zimbabwe among the 10 least innovative countries in Africa and the world

Zimbabwe has been ranked 129 out of the 139 most innovative countries in 2025, according…

October 9, 2025

IMF calls for more clarity on transitional plan to make ZiG sole currency by 2030

The International Monetary Fund has called on Zimbabwe to provide more clarity on its transitional…

October 8, 2025

Which is the most innovative country in the world – The answer

Switzerland is the most innovative country in the world according to the 2025 Global Innovative…

October 7, 2025

Which is the most innovative country in the world?

Take a guess. You will not believe it when you see the answer.

October 7, 2025

Mthuli Ncube taken to task over cost of Trabablas Interchange

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncune was yesterday taken to task over the cost of the Trabablas…

July 10, 2025