Chart of the week: the ruin wreaked by Mugabe

In 1980, Zimbabwe was among the top ten sub-Saharan African economies. Between 2000 and 2008, however, GDP halved. Now, inflation-adjusted per-capita incomes remain 15% below the 1980 figure.

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Robert Mugabe is reportedly about to receive a $10m payoff as a reward for ruining his country. In 1980, Zimbabwe was among the top ten sub-Saharan African economies. It was relatively diversified and its healthy agricultural sector made it the bread-basket of southern Africa. Between 2000 and 2008, however, thanks to farm seizures, rampant corruption, hyperinflation and rapid emigration, GDP halved. A gradual recovery over the past ten years has barely returned the economy to late-1990s levels. Inflation-adjusted per-capita incomes are still 15% below the 1980 figure.

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