Zimbabwe - At a Glance

The white minority government of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Southern Rhodesia, declared independence from the British in 1965, but it was only in 1979 that multiracial elections were held. The country became independent in 1980 and under the presidency of Robert Mugabe, a one-party socialist state was established. Still governed under the constitution of 1979, Zimbabwe has now been a parliamentary democracy since 1990. Primarily an agricultural economy, the white minority owns one-third of the productive land, relegating the majority to less productive land. Sixty percent of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line and the country continues to face economic decline exacerbated by flooding, droughts and food, fuel and electricity deficits. Zimbabwe is also faced with highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the world with 1.5 million people estimated to be living with the infection in 1999. Land reform and macroeconomic stabilization are important for increased donor support and development in Zimbabwe.