DEEP DIVE DATAZimbabwe's religious mosaic,province by province.
Zimbabwe's ten provinces don't share one religious identity — they share ten, each shaped by its own dominant tradition.
This is a province-by-province look at the total Christian population in each region, the predominant religious groups, and the cultural dynamics that shape Zimbabwean identity.
Christian share and dominant group, by province
| Bulawayo | 88% · Pentecostal 28% |
| Manicaland | 90% · Apostolic 56% |
| Mashonaland Central | 78% · Apostolic 69% |
| Mashonaland East | 85% · Apostolic 54% |
| Mashonaland West | 80% · Apostolic 52% |
| Matabeleland North | 81% · Apostolic 43% |
| Matabeleland South | 77% · Apostolic 42% |
| Midlands | 88% · Apostolic 46% |
| Masvingo | 90% · Apostolic 48% |
| Harare | 88% · Pentecostal 32% |
Bulawayo & Harare: Pentecostal presence
In Bulawayo, the Christian community is characterised by a notable Pentecostal presence at 28% — a diverse hub where Apostolic Sect, Roman Catholic, and Protestant communities all contribute.
As the capital and cultural hub, Harare shows the strongest Pentecostal share of any province at 32%, in a dynamic blend with Apostolic, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions.
Manicaland & Mashonaland Central
Nestled in the east, Manicaland is an Apostolic stronghold — 56% of its population adheres to the tradition, alongside a coexistence of other Christian groups.
Mashonaland Central goes further still: 69% Apostolic Sect, the highest concentration of any province, reflecting the prevalence of indigenous religious traditions within the Christian context.
Mashonaland East & West
Mashonaland East: 85% Christian, 54% Apostolic Sect. Mashonaland West: 80% Christian, 52% Apostolic Sect.
These neighbouring provinces show the enduring influence of the Apostolic Sect, blended with Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and Protestant traditions.
Matabeleland North & South
Matabeleland North: 81% Christian, 43% Apostolic Sect. Matabeleland South: 77% Christian, 42% Apostolic Sect.
Across these vast landscapes, the Apostolic Sect maintains a resilient presence, blending with diverse Christian denominations and other spiritual traditions.
Midlands & Masvingo
Midlands sits at the crossroads: 88% Christian, 46% Apostolic Sect, reflecting a harmonious coexistence of denominations.
In the southeast, Masvingo reaches 90% Christian — tied for the highest of any province — with Apostolic traditions (48%) intertwined with Roman Catholic and Protestant influences.
Pick a religion, see the split
Male vs female adherents by province, 2022 census.
The Apostolic Sect leads in 8 of 10 provinces.
Only Bulawayo and Harare — Zimbabwe's two largest cities — break the pattern, where Pentecostal churches take the top spot instead. Everywhere else, the Apostolic Sect is the single largest Christian group.
Urban Pentecostal, rural Apostolic.
The split tracks urbanisation almost perfectly: the two provinces anchored by major cities lean Pentecostal, while the eight more rural provinces lean toward the indigenous Apostolic Sect tradition.
One country, ten religious identities
Apostolic Sect, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions all coexist, but their balance shifts province by province, shaped by history, geography, and how urban or rural the area is.
Deep Dive Data covers Zimbabwe's culture, demographics, and everyday data.