Zimbabwe’s economic growth slowed significantly in the final quarter of 2025 as declining mining output, weakening industrial activity and severe electricity shortages weighed on overall performance despite a strong agricultural recovery.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), quarter-on-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth fell to 0,34% in Q4 2025, down from 1,08% in the third quarter and 9,12% recorded in the second quarter, reflecting cooling economic momentum toward year-end.

“This release provides the Gross Domestic Product GDP figures for Fourth Quarter 2025. The figures provide an indication of changes in economic activity, based on developments during the quarter,” ZIMSTAT said.

GDP at current prices rose from ZWG420,2 billion in Q3 to ZWG448,5 billion in Q4 2025. However, at constant 2023 prices, output increased only marginally from ZWG19,0 billion to ZWG19,1 billion, signalling subdued real economic expansion.

The latest data highlights growing pressure across key productive sectors of the economy.

Mining and quarrying — Zimbabwe’s largest contributor to GDP — contracted by 2,83% in the fourth quarter after strong growth earlier in the year. Manufacturing output declined by 1,51%, while construction activity slowed by 1,28%.

The most pronounced decline was recorded in the electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning sector, which shrank by 18,37%, underscoring the impact of persistent power supply challenges on industrial production and business operations.

Water supply, sewerage and waste management services also dropped sharply by 14,16%, while wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicle repairs, edged down by 0,18%.

Despite the slowdown, agriculture, forestry and fishing emerged as a key bright spot, expanding by 16,37% after contracting by 14,99% in the previous quarter. Information and communication services recorded strong growth of 8,85%, while accommodation and food services increased by 1,85%.

ZIMSTAT said mining and quarrying remained the largest contributor to GDP in Q4, accounting for 15,47% of total economic output at constant prices. Manufacturing contributed 14,59%, wholesale and retail trade 11,11%, agriculture 11,09%, and financial and insurance activities 10,70%.

Transport and storage contributed 3,53%, education 4,03%, and public administration and defence 4,47%.

On a year-on-year basis, Zimbabwe’s economy still expanded by 7,04% in Q4 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, this represented a slowdown from the 10,65% annual growth recorded in the third quarter, indicating weakening economic momentum as the year closed.

ZIMSTAT said the quarterly GDP estimates were compiled using the 2008 System of National Accounts framework.

“The figures are guided by the 2008 Systems of National Accounts and use the production approach for quarterly GDP at current and constant prices via the Proportional Benchmarking Method,” the agency said.

The statistics body added that estimates were benchmarked against annual national accounts and drawn from ZIMSTAT surveys, administrative records from Government and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), as well as industry-specific indices.

ZIMSTAT noted that the figures remain subject to revision as additional data becomes available in line with its Statistics Revision Policy.