Household income sources for Zimbabwean families: PICES

Most common sources of household income for Zimbabwean families are; Assistance from a family member within the country: 15.9%, Wage employment: 15.9%, Non-farm family business: 11.1% Remittances from abroad: 6.5%.

The main source of income for households was wage employment, which dropped to 23 percent in the sixth round, compared to 28 percent in round 5.

Furthermore, results from round 6 show that assistance from the family within the country was a source of income for 20 percent of respondents in round six, compared to 26 percent in round 5.

Non-farm family businesses was an income source for 15 percent in round 6, compared to 11 percent in round 5. Assistance from the Government constituted 11 percent in round 6, compared to 7 percent in round 5. Assistance from NGOs constituted 8 percent in round 6.

According to the latest Poverty Income Consumption and Expenditure Survey (PICES) by the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (ZimStat) the majority of households in Zimbabwe (79%) are engaged in buying and selling.

The data shows that the majority of households in urban areas (85%) were engaged in buying and selling compared to 66 Percent in Rural areas.

And males at 83 percent were engaged in buying and selling compared to 74 % for females.

About 60% of Zimbabweans who responded to ZimStat survey believed they were worse off than they were in the previous year.

The Rapid PICES project was first embarked on in June 2020, and so far six rounds have been completed.

Currently, ZIMSTAT is analysing seventh round data whilst preparing to start the eighth round survey.

ZIMSTAT has made significant progress so far as evidenced by the successful collection of data from 1774 households in the first round,1 664 in the second round and 1,351 households in round 6.

This survey is using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI) method of data collection. ZIMSTAT conducted round six survey from 12 September to 23 October 2021.

The objective of the Rapid PICES survey is to assess the social impact of the COVID19 pandemic and inform mitigation measures.

Variables of interest include: i. Household knowledge, perspectives and behavioral responses to COVID-19; ii. Household access to food, medicine, water, education, and Government assistance; iii. Economic impacts on wage workers, family business, farming and non-labour income; iv. COVID-19 impact on food security, welfare, confidence; and v. Evidence to support programs and improving targeting and management.

The sample is representative of the urban and rural population. Furthermore, detailed information on household characteristics, baseline data on consumption, income earning patterns as well as social assistance access is available.

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