Top 10 Religions in Zimbabwe (2025): Faith by the Number

By ListerTop10 • Updated November 2025 

Religion remains at the heart of Zimbabwe’s cultural and social fabric. From open-air prayer gatherings on hilltops to cathedrals that echo with hymns, faith shapes how people live, work, and relate to one another. According to the Population and Housing Census conducted by ZIMSTAT, Zimbabwe’s population stood at 15.18 million, with more than 85 percent identifying as Christian. Yet within that broad label lies a rich diversity — from traditional Apostolic sects and Pentecostal megachurches to enduring Catholic and Protestant institutions.

This data-driven overview ranks the ten largest religions in Zimbabwe by population share, offering insight into the country’s enduring faith traditions and emerging spiritual trends.

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1. Apostolic Sect — 40.3%

The Apostolic movement is Zimbabwe’s dominant religious force, with an estimated 6.1 million members. These churches are known for their distinctive white robes, open-air worship, and strong prophetic traditions. Major groupings include the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, Johanne Masowe eChishanu, and the African Apostolic Church of Mwazha. Many Apostolic groups blend Christian teaching with African spirituality, emphasising healing, prophecy, and moral discipline while often operating independently from mainstream denominations.

2. Pentecostal — 17.0%

With around 2.58 million adherents, Pentecostalism has transformed Zimbabwe’s urban and youth religious landscape. These churches feature energetic worship, gospel music, and teachings on prosperity and faith healing. Prominent examples include ZAOGA FIF Ministries (Archbishop Ezekiel Guti), United Family International Church (UFIC) (Emmanuel Makandiwa), and Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) (Walter Magaya). Pentecostal churches also play an increasing role in media, education, and social outreach.

3. Protestant — 13.8%

Traditional Protestant denominations — such as the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Baptist churches — make up about 2.09 million members. These mission-based churches introduced Western-style education and healthcare, establishing enduring institutions like Waddilove Mission, Gutu Mission, and Solusi University. They are known for structured governance, emphasis on scripture, and a strong presence in small towns and rural centres.

4. Other Christian — 7.8%

Encompassing about 1.18 million believers, this group includes denominations outside the main categories — such as Seventh-day Adventist, Salvation Army, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and various Evangelical and African-initiated churches. These communities emphasise discipline, evangelism, and social service, often running schools, clinics, and humanitarian programmes across the country.

5. Roman Catholic — 6.4%

The Roman Catholic Church counts nearly 975,000 followers and remains one of Zimbabwe’s most influential institutions. Its network of schools and hospitals — including St George’s College, St Ignatius, and Mater Dei Hospital — has shaped generations. With dioceses nationwide, Catholicism continues to be associated with education, social justice, and community development.

6. African Traditional Religion — 5.0%

Roughly 762,000 Zimbabweans primarily identify with African Traditional Religion, although many more integrate its customs within Christianity. Core beliefs centre on vadzimu (ancestor veneration), masvikiro (spirit mediums), and rituals connecting the living with ancestral spirits. These practices preserve indigenous worldviews that stress community harmony, respect for the land, and continuity between past and present.

7. Islam — 0.6%

Islam accounts for approximately 88,600 adherents, concentrated in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and some border towns. The Muslim community includes both local converts and families of Asian, Malawian, and Mozambican descent. Key mosques such as the Harare Central Mosque and Kwekwe Mosque serve as centres of worship, education, and cultural exchange.

8. Judaism — ≈ 0.0% (6,845 people)

Zimbabwe’s Jewish community has historic roots in the country’s commerce, law, and medical sectors. Though numbers have declined since the mid-20th century, synagogues in Harare and Bulawayo still serve small but active congregations engaged in philanthropy and interfaith dialogue.

9. Hinduism — ≈ 0.0% (3,425 people)

Hinduism in Zimbabwe is small but historically significant, primarily among Indian and Tamil families who migrated for trade during the colonial era. The Hindu Society of Zimbabwe and ISKCON Harare Temple maintain cultural traditions, festivals such as Diwali, and community service initiatives.

10. Other Religions — 0.8%

This category represents about 114,000 people whose specific religious affiliation was classified simply as “other.” It includes smaller or emerging movements such as Baha’i, Rastafarian, and various independent spiritual fellowships. Though diverse and undefined, these groups add to Zimbabwe’s growing religious pluralism.

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Additional Insight — The “None” Category

An interesting finding in the Census is that 8.3 percent (≈ 1.26 million people) reported having no formal religious affiliation. This group is largely urban and youthful, reflecting global trends of individual spirituality and secular identity. While small compared to the Christian majority, it signals a quiet cultural shift toward more personal, less institutional forms of belief.

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Conclusion

The census confirms that Zimbabwe remains a nation anchored in faith — but that faith is dynamic, diverse, and ever-evolving. From the open-air gatherings of the Apostolic sects to the modern ministries of the Pentecostals, and from mission-founded Protestant schools to ancestral rituals of traditional religion, spirituality continues to shape the country’s moral compass and community life.

Do you think this list accurately reflects Zimbabwe’s religious landscape? Which churches or faith groups do you believe deserve more recognition or discussion? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — we’d love to hear your perspective.

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