HARARE, Dec 4 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's population grew by about 1.2 million, to 11.6 million, over the last 10 years, according to preliminary results released Wednesday of a census conducted in August.

The results published in the state-run Herald reflect only the number of people present in the southern African country at the time of the census.

Nearly three million Zimbabweans have left the country to seek better economic fortunes in neighbouring South Africa and overseas in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain, according to estimates.

An official from the Central Statistical Office told the paper that the total number of Zimbabweans is estimated at 14.5 million, including those who are living overseas.

In 1982 Zimbabwe's population stood at 7.6 million and shot up to 10.4 million in 1992.

While the growth rate has been calculated at 3.1 percent over the past two decades, health officials predict close to zero growth this year because of the AIDS pandemic which is ravaging the country.

Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, with one in three adults carrying the virus that causes AIDS in 2001, according to the latest UN figures.

With half the country threatened by famine, UN officials have expressed fear that the number of AIDS deaths could rise sharply.

Some 2,500 Zimbabweans die of AIDS related illnesses every week.

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