Zimbabwe Real Interest Rate
Real interest rate FR.INR.RINR
Zimbabwe's real interest rate was -35.70% in 2025, ranked 95th globally. This represents a 48.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2012–2025.
Overview
Zimbabwe's real interest rate stood at -35.70% in 2025, a rise of +33.18pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -35.70% by 2025. Zimbabwe ranked 95th globally.
Zimbabwe’s real interest rate has swung dramatically over the 13‑year series, falling from a modest 7.27 % in 2012 to a pronounced negative stance of –35.70 % in 2025, ranking 95th globally. The indicator peaked at 9.74 % in 2014, reflecting a brief period of relatively tighter monetary conditions before the economy entered a prolonged deflationary spiral that drove the rate down to an all‑time trough of –80.61 % in 2020. Compared with peers, Zimbabwe’s current rate is less negative than Argentina’s –44.30 % and far above South Sudan’s –63.41 %, underscoring the severity of its monetary environment relative to other distressed economies. The persistent negative real rates signal that inflation expectations remain well‑anchored above policy rates, limiting the effectiveness of conventional tightening. Unless inflation is brought under control and fiscal discipline improves, the real interest rate is likely to remain deeply negative, constraining investment and prolonging the current trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Real Interest Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -29.89% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -35.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | -35.70% | +33.18pp | #95 |
| 2023 | -68.88% | −30.78pp | #1 |
| 2022 | -38.09% | −7.78pp | #2 |
| 2021 | -30.32% | +50.29pp | #1 |
| 2020 | -80.61% | −3.98pp | #1 |
| 2019 | -76.63% | −80.09pp | #1 |
| 2018 | 3.45% | +67.51pp | #47 |
| 2017 | -64.06% | −68.90pp | #2 |
| 2016 | 4.85% | −3.04pp | #56 |
| 2015 | 7.89% | −1.86pp | #82 |
| 2014 | 9.74% | +9.41pp | #104 |
| 2013 | 0.34% | −6.94pp | #10 |
| 2012 | 7.27% | – | #87 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zimbabwe matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2024. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw real interest rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zimbabwe's real interest rate was -35.70% in 2025. Ranked 95th globally. This represents a 48.2% increase from the previous year.
Zimbabwe's real interest rate peaked at 9.74% in 2014.
The lowest real interest rate in Zimbabwe was -80.61% in 2020.
Zimbabwe ranks 95th globally in real interest rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FR.INR.RINR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zimbabwe's real interest rate is projected to reach -35.70% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The real interest rate of Zimbabwe in 2025 was -35.70%. This ranks 95th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zimbabwe_real-interest-rate,
title = {Zimbabwe Real Interest Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zimbabwe/real-interest-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}