*Bulawayo tops Zimbabwe literacy rankings* *GROUP LINK* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValTjHxEKyZKPtXS1L1D *Advertise your Business* 0716469599 Bulawayo has emerged as the province with the highest education levels in Zimbabwe, according to the 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which also highlights a significant divide between urban and rural educational access. The nationally representative survey, conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) at the request of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is the seventh edition of the ZDHS since 1988. Data was collected between December 4, 2023, and May 29, 2024, and the research protocols were approved by both the ICF Institutional Review Board and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ). A total of 9,666 women aged 15–49 and 4,185 men aged 15–54 were interviewed across the country. According to the survey, 91 percent of urban women and 92 percent of urban men had attended secondary school or higher, compared to 68 percent of rural women and 70 percent of rural men. “Literacy by province did not vary much for both women and men. It was lowest in Mashonaland Central (86 percent for women and 84 percent for men) and highest in Bulawayo (99 percent for women and more than 99 percent for men),” stated the survey. The survey stated that educational attainment closely correlates with urbanisation and economic status. It further noted that Harare and Bulawayo, being the most urbanised provinces, also have the highest proportions of educated individuals, with more than nine in 10 residents having attended secondary school or higher. “Bulawayo and Harare also have the lowest proportions of women and men who have completed only primary school (8 percent for women and 5 percent for men; 9 percent for women and 5 percent for men, respectively),” stated the survey. The survey also assessed mass media exposure and internet usage, key indicators for access to information, especially regarding health education and civic awareness, with radio and television remaining the most commonly accessed media platforms. The survey established that 35 percent of women and 52 percent of men listen to the radio at least once a week. However, 45 percent of women and 36 percent of men do not regularly access any mass media. Internet use is growing but remains uneven, with at least 54 percent of women and 55 percent of men aged 15–49 having ever used the internet. Among these, 60 percent report using it nearly every day in the past month. It was noted that access to information is crucial as it fosters knowledge and raises awareness about important issues such as messages on health-related matters, including HIV/Aids, communicable diseases, and non-communicable diseases. According to the survey, media exposure is significantly influenced by education and wealth. Seventy-two percent of women with no formal education said they were not exposed to any mass media. In contrast, only 16 percent of women with more than a secondary education reported the same. Among the wealthiest, 82 percent of women watch television at least once a week, compared to just 2 percent of women in the lowest wealth quintile. The ZDHS is a critical tool for health and development planning in Zimbabwe. Conducted roughly every five years, it offers comprehensive insights into demographic trends, health indicators, education, and access to services. The data is used by the Government, development partners, and researchers to shape evidence-based policies, especially in maternal and child health, HIV/Aids, education, and gender equality.