A majority of Zimbabweans say they prefer democracy to any other form of government, but only a minority are satisfied with how democracy works in their country, according to a recent Afrobarometer survey.

The study found that 85% of Zimbabweans prefer democracy to any other kind of government. However, 56% believe Zimbabwe is “not a democracy” or “a democracy with major problems”. Half of the respondents said they are “not very satisfied” or “not at all satisfied” with how democracy works in the country.

The survey, conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI), interviewed 1,200 adult citizens across Zimbabwe between 1 and 15 June 2024.

“These findings highlight a significant gap between Zimbabweans’ democratic aspirations and their perceptions of the current political reality,” said Dr Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist at the University of Zimbabwe.

The results come amid ongoing debates about the state of democracy in Zimbabwe, which has been ruled by the ZANU-PF party since independence in 1980.

Notably, the survey revealed strong opposition to authoritarian forms of government. An overwhelming 88% of respondents reject one-man rule, while 72% oppose both one-party rule and military rule.

The study also uncovered some urban-rural divides in opinions. Urban residents were more likely than rural residents to reject one-party rule (77% vs 69%) and military rule (77% vs 69%), though opposition to one-man rule was similarly strong in both settings.

Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan research network, has been conducting surveys on democracy and governance in Africa since 1999. This survey is part of its ninth round, covering up to 42 countries.
The findings present a challenge for Zimbabwe’s government, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2017 promising democratic reforms.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have long criticised the government for what they see as a failure to implement meaningful democratic changes.

As Zimbabwe prepares for its next general election, these survey results are likely to fuel further debate about the country’s democratic trajectory and the reforms needed to meet citizens’ expectations.