71,4 percent of Masvingo population has birth certificates

The Department of Civil Registry has managed to issue birth certificates to 71,4 percent of the population in Masvingo province population, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) demographic analysis manager Mr Perfect Makumbe has said.

Addressing a census data dissemination stakeholder meeting in Masvingo recently, Mr Makumbe said Masvingo province has a total population of 1 638 528, of which 71,4 percent had acquired birth certificates, with 27,4 percent not having registered while the remaining negligible percentage had unknown status.

Mr Makumbe described birth registration as the most important proof of identity. He said citizens without official birth registration might fail to receive education, and social assistance and, are prone to statelessness and all forms of abuse.

Mr Makumbe said 84,9 percent of the population in Masvingo aged 16 years and above had acquired national identity cards while 14,8 percent had no identity cards.

“Birth registration is the only legal way for a child to get birth certificates and it is the legal proof of identity that can help protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation.

“Without it, children are at a much higher risk of statelessness and might be unable to attend school or get social assistance,” he said.

“In the province, 71,4 percent have registered births while 27,4 percent have not registered. For the persons aged 16 years and above, the population which acquired identity cards was 84,9 percent while 14,8 percent have not acquired and 0,4 percent in an unknown state.”

The census report observed that 99,9 percent of the persons in this province were Zimbabweans while 0,1 percent were citizens from other countries.

According to (ZimStat) 2022 Population and Housing Census provincial profile, Masvingo province was divided into nine districts namely Masvingo urban, Masvingo rural, Chiredzi urban, Chiredzi rural, Mwenezi, Chivi, Zaka, Bikita and Gutu.

The 2022 census findings for the province were conducted using demographic characteristics, disability, migration, housing characteristics, labour force, fertility, mortality, and living conditions as indicators.

Mr Makumbe said Masvingo province’s population stands at 1 638 528 with males fewer than females.

“The 2022 population size was at 1 638 528, of which 763 413 (46,6 percent) were males and 875 115 (53,4 percent) were females, giving a sex ratio of 87 males for every 100 females,” he said.

“Across all districts, the ratio ranged from 84 per 100 females in Bikita to 93 males per 100 females in Chiredzi Rural District.”

Highlighting the 2022 Population and Housing Census, District data sheets, a local consultant, Mr Tawanda Chingozha said Masvingo’s progress is above average as significant progress was recorded, with an average performance in the province and is ranked seven out of 10 provinces.

“Masvingo’s progress index was 11, Chiredzi town, below average at seven and ranked number 87 with the least progress while Mwenezi has the most progress at 15. Bikita, Chiredzi, and Gutu have a progress index above average at 13,” said Mr Chingozha.

Between 2012 and 2022, the population in the province increased by 10,93 percent from 1 485 090 to 1 638 528. —@NyikaLingan