Recent statistics released by Africa Facts Zone on X (formerly Twitter) have placed Zimbabwe second in Africa for the highest rate of homelessness, recording 848 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.
The data, attributed to Habitat for Humanity International, highlights an urgent societal issue across the continent.
This ranking, however, has ignited a heated debate among Zimbabweans online, with many disputing the accuracy of the figures.
Numerous citizens argue that the statistics do not truly reflect the lived experiences in Zimbabwe, insisting that most people have access to some form of housing, albeit modest.
Leading African Countries by Homelessness Per 10,000 People:
1. Uganda 🇺🇬 – 1,125
2. Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 – 848
3. Somalia 🇸🇴 – 772
4. Sudan 🇸🇩 – 624
5. Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 – 335
6. Nigeria 🇳🇬 – 206
7. Zambia 🇿🇲 – 194
8. Mozambique 🇲🇿 – 189
9. Egypt 🇪🇬 – 186
10. DR Congo 🇨🇩 – 172
11. Mali 🇲🇱 – 157
12. Benin 🇧🇯 – 106
13. Madagascar 🇲🇬 – 100
14. Cameroon 🇨🇲 – 77.5
15. Libya 🇱🇾 – 58.1
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According to reports, although many Zimbabweans are pushing back against the ranking, the reported figure of 848 per 10,000 individuals does underscore underlying socioeconomic challenges in the country.
In urban centers such as Harare, the rise of informal settlements and street populations signals pressing housing issues that cannot be overlooked.
Social media has become a platform for Zimbabweans to voice their skepticism about the reported data.
User @lilomatic questioned the clarity of the term “homeless,” labeling the second-place ranking as “100% fake.”
Another user, @iammakhoe, dismissed the figures outright, asking, “Where are you getting your statistics?”
Other commenters provided context to counter the findings.
@balbinacharmie highlighted that many Zimbabweans migrate to urban areas but still retain rural homes.
Another user, @takxdzwanasheRC, argued, “Zimbabwe faces challenges, but claiming a high homeless rate is misleading. Where are these numbers coming from? The accompanying image shouldn’t even qualify as a home.”
While Zimbabwe’s position sparks debate, Uganda tops the list with 1,125 homeless individuals per 10,000, a situation exacerbated by extreme poverty and displacement.
Significant homelessness issues are also present in Somalia (772) and Sudan (624), primarily due to ongoing conflicts and instability.
Conversely, countries like Libya (58.1) and Cameroon (77.5) exhibit lower rates, suggesting the presence of more effective safety nets or differing definitions of homelessness.
