Women in Bulawayo consume more alcohol than their counterparts in any other province in Zimbabwe, according to findings from the 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS).
Released this year, the report highlights gender-specific drinking patterns nationwide and raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with alcohol use among women.
The data shows that 9% of women in Bulawayo reported drinking alcohol in the month before the survey, the highest proportion across all provinces. In comparison, Matabeleland North recorded the lowest rate, with just 4% of women indicating any alcohol consumption during the same period.
Urban living appears to significantly influence alcohol use. According to the ZDHS, 10% of urban women had consumed alcohol in the past month, compared to 4% of rural women. This pattern may be influenced by greater alcohol availability, lifestyle choices, and social norms found in urban settings.
Among the women who drank, 32% consumed six or more drinks on the days they drank, while 26% had only one drink. The rest fell into a moderate category, typically consuming two to four drinks per drinking occasion. On average, female drinkers had around 3.4 drinks per session, suggesting that although moderate drinking is common, a notable portion of women are engaging in binge drinking, which carries serious health risks.
Although only 6% of Zimbabwean women reported drinking alcohol in the month before the survey compared to 35% of men, the level of consumption among those who do drink, especially in high-use areas like Bulawayo, remains a public health concern.
Zimbabwe is facing rising rates of non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges, these insights from the ZDHS are crucial for guiding policy interventions, health campaigns, and community education efforts targeting substance abuse.
The data is sourced from the 2023–2024 ZDHS, compiled by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
