Zimbabwean diaspora

Zimbabwean diaspora

Total population
c. 16–22 million worldwide[1]
Regions with significant populations
Zimbabwe   13,061,239 (2012)[2]
South Africa	1,000,000– 3,000,000[3]
United Kingdom	128,000[4]
Australia	65,000[5]
Botswana	50,000
United States	30,000–50,000 (estimate)[6]
Canada	31,225[7]
Zambia	10,000[8]
France	8,372[9]
New Zealand	5,600[citation needed]
Ireland	5,348[10]
Germany	3,715[11]
Portugal	1,312[12]
Namibia	1,160
Singapore	1,103[13]
Hong Kong	859[14]
Languages
Zimbabwean English • Shona • Ndebele
Religion
Methodism • Roman Catholicism • Anglicanism • Pentecostalism • Judaism.

The Zimbabwean diaspora refers to the diaspora of immigrants from the nation of Zimbabwe and their descendants who now reside in other countries. The number of Zimbabweans living outside Zimbabwe varies significantly from 4 to 7 million people, though it is generally accepted at over 5 million people, some 30 per cent of all Zimbabweans.^[15] Varying degrees of assimilation and a high degree of interethnic marriages in the Zimbabwean diaspora communities makes determining exact figures difficult. The diaspora population is extremely diverse and consists of Shona people, Ndebele, white Zimbabweans, mixed-race people, Asians, Jewish people and other minority groups. The diaspora traces their origin to several waves of emigration, starting with the exodus that followed the 1965, unilateral declaration of independence in Rhodesia, but significantly since the sociopolitical crisis that began in 2000.^[16]

Countries with the biggest diaspora populations include South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.^[17] There is mobility within the diaspora. For example, some Zimbabweans have moved to the UK before deciding to settle in Australia.^[18]