Zimbabwe

Total population   12.2 Million   GNP per capita/year 460 US$ (compared to USA: 33'900 US$)   Total adult literacy rate 87% (85% females; 93% males)   Life expectancy 39.9 years   Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 69 HIV/AIDS: More than 25 % of the adult population is HIV positive. Therefore, Zimbabwe has the world's highest HIV-positive rate. Thousands of children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS.

Within the last few years economic and social changes have brought great poverty to this country. Survival is increasingly difficult due to a continuous rise in living costs and a collapsing health system. The rate of inflation is 70% and the unemployment rate is 60%. A contributing factor in the economic problems is the fact that Zimbabwe has the world highest HIV rate. More than 25% of adults are infected with the HIV virus.