Statistics Mozambique 
Mozambique in the World
Mozambique - Introduction 2024
top of pageBackground:
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s.
The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free-market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando GUEBUZA, served two terms and then passed executive power to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. RENAMO’s residual armed forces intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a 2016 cease-fire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in 2019.
Since 2017, violent extremists -- who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.
The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free-market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando GUEBUZA, served two terms and then passed executive power to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. RENAMO’s residual armed forces intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a 2016 cease-fire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in 2019.
Since 2017, violent extremists -- who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.
Area
Total: 799,380 km²
Land: 786,380 km²
Water: 13,000 km²
Comparative: slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California
Country comparison total: 4,783 km
Country comparison border countries: (6) Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km
Land boundaries
Total: 4,783 km
Border countries: (6) Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km
Land use
Agricultural land: 56.3% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land arable land: 6.4% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent pasture: 49.6% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land forest: 43.7% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land other: 0% (2018 est.)
Major rivers
By length in km: Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km
By length in km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Total water withdrawal
Municipal: 370 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 30 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 1.08 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geography
Note: the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
Mozambique - People 2024
top of pagePopulation
Distribution: three large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas as shown in this population distribution map
Total: 33,350,954
Male: 16,449,734
Female: 16,901,220 (2024 est.)
Growth rate: 2.54% (2024 est.)
Below poverty line: 46.1% (2014 est.)
Below poverty line note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Ethnic groups: African 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.)
Languages: Makhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Tsonga 8.6%, Nyanja 8.1, Sena 7.1%, Lomwe 7.1%, Chuwabo 4.7%, Ndau 3.8%, Tswa 3.8%, other Mozambican languages 11.8%, other 0.5%, unspecified 1.8% (2017 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 27.2%, Muslim 18.9%, Zionist Christian 15.6%, Evangelical/Pentecostal 15.3%, Anglican 1.7%, other 4.8%, none 13.9%, unspecified 2.5% (2017 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 44.7% (male 7,548,247/female 7,350,012)
15-64 years: 52.4% (male 8,428,457/female 9,061,065)
65 years and over: 2.9% (2024 est.) (male 473,030/female 490,143)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 86.1
Youth dependency ratio: 81.3
Elderly dependency ratio: 4.8
Potential support ratio: 20.8 (2021 est.)
Population distribution: three large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
Urban population: 38.8% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas
Population: 1.852 million Matola, 1.163 million MAPUTO (capital), 969,000 Nampula (2023)
Environment
Current issues: increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; soil erosion; deforestation; water pollution caused by artisanal mining; pollution of surface and coastal waters; wildlife preservation (elephant poaching for ivory)
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants
Particulate matter emissions: 16.45 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.94 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 16.26 megatons (2020 est.)
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birth: 19.2 years (2011 est.)
Note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49
Infant mortality rate
Total: 58.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 60.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 56.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Drinking water source
Improved urban: 93.4% of population
Unimproved rural: 38.5% of population
Unimproved total: 26.7% of population (2020 est.)
Unimproved urban: 6.6% of population
Sanitation facility access
Improved urban: 71.9% of population (2015 est.)
Improved rural: 24.7% of population
Improved total: 42.2% of population
Unimproved urban: 28.1% of population
Unimproved rural: 75.3% of population
Unimproved total: 57.8% of population (2020 est.)
Alcohol consumption
Per capita total: 1.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita beer: 1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita wine: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita spirits: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 63.4%
Male: 74.1%
Female: 53.8% (2021)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 10 years
Male: 10 years
Female: 9 years (2017)
Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 7.6% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 7.9% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 7.3% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Mozambique - Government 2024
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
Conventional short form: Mozambique
Local long form: Republica de Mocambique
Local short form: Mocambique
Former: Portuguese East Africa, People's Republic of Mozambique
Etymology: named for the offshore island of Mozambique; the island was apparently named after Mussa al-BIK, an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century
Capital
Name: Maputo
Geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: reputedly named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Constitution
History: previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004
Amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Republic membership; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions, including the independence and sovereignty of the state, the republican form of government, basic rights and freedoms, and universal suffrage, requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and approval in a referendum; referenda not required for passage of other amendments; amended 2007, 2018
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth: no
Citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mozambique
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Executive branch
Chief of state: President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015)
Head of government: Prime Minister Adriano MALEIANE (since 3 March 2022)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Elections/appointments: president elected directly by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 15 October 2019 (next to be held on 9 October 2024); prime minister appointed by the president
Election results: 2019: Filipe NYUSI reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Filipe NYUSI (FRELIMO) 73.0%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 21.9%, Daviz SIMANGO (MDM) 5.1%; 2014: Filipe NYUSI elected president in first round; percent of vote - Filipe NYUSI (FRELIMO) 57.0%, Afonso DHLAKAMA (RENAMO) 36.6%, Daviz SIMANGO (MDM) 6.4%
Legislative branch
Description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; 248 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 2 members representing Mozambicans abroad directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections: last held on 15 October 2019 (next to be held on 9 October 2024)
Elections results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 71%, RENAMO 23%, MDM 4%; seats by party - FRELIMO 184, RENAMO 60, MDM 6; composition - men 142, women 108, percentage women 43.2%
Judicial branch
Highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges)
Note: the Higher Council of the Judiciary Magistracy is responsible for judiciary management and discipline
Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic; vice president appointed by the president in consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) and ratified by the Assembly of the Republic; other judges elected by the Assembly; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Council judges appointed - 1 by the president, 5 by the Assembly, and 1 by the CSMJ; judges serve 5-year nonrenewable terms
Subordinate courts: Administrative Court (capital city only); provincial courts or Tribunais Judicias de Provincia; District Courts or Tribunais Judicias de Districto; customs courts; maritime courts; courts marshal; labor courts; community courts
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM, Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO, Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNDSS, UNECA, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNV, UNWTO, Union Latina, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation
In the us: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Fabião NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023)
In the us chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 293-7,147
In the us fax: [1] (202) 835-0245
In the us email address and website: washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz; [link]
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Hendrick VROOMAN (since 3 March 2022)
From the us embassy: Avenida Marginal 5,467, Maputo
From the us mailing address: 2,330 Maputo Place, Washington DC 20,521-2,330
From the us telephone: [258] (84) 095-8,000
From the us email address and website: MaputaConsular@state.gov; [link]
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book; green represents the riches of the land, white peace, black the African continent, yellow the country's minerals, and red the struggle for independence; the rifle symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe refers to the country's agriculture, the open book stresses the importance of education, and the star represents Marxism and internationalism
Note: one of only two national flags featuring a firearm, the other is Guatemala
National anthem
Name: 'Patria Amada' (Lovely Fatherland)
Lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown
Note: adopted 2002
Mozambique - Economy 2024
top of pageEconomy overview: low-income East African economy; subsistence farming dominates labor force; return to growth led by agriculture and extractive industries; Islamist insurgency threatens natural gas projects in north; ongoing foreign debt restructuring and resolution under IMF Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative
Real gdp purchasing power parity: $50.631 billion (2023 est.); $48.22 billion (2022 est.); $46.206 billion (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
Real gdp growth rate: 5% (2023 est.); 4.36% (2022 est.); 2.38% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real gdp per capita: $1,500 (2023 est.); $1,500 (2022 est.); $1,400 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 75.2% (2022 est.)
Government consumption: 16.7% (2022 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 38.6% (2022 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 52.5% (2022 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -83% (2022 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 26.7% (2022 est.)
Industry: 22.8% (2022 est.)
Services: 40.6% (2022 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Agriculture products: cassava, sugarcane, maize, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, bananas, onions, rice, coconuts (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries: aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 10.43% (2023 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force: 15.191 million (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate: 3.54% (2023 est.); 3.62% (2022 est.); 3.98% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 7.6% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 7.9% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 7.3% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line: 46.1% (2014 est.)
Note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Budget
Revenues: $5.388 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures: $4.91 billion (2022 est.)
Note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Taxes and other revenues: 23.25% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Inflation rate consumer prices: 7.13% (2023 est.); 10.28% (2022 est.); 6.41% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Current account balance: -$2.426 billion (2023 est.); -$6.88 billion (2022 est.); -$3.436 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports: $9.289 billion (2023 est.); $9.409 billion (2022 est.); $6.526 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: India 22%, South Africa 9%, South Korea 8%, Italy 7%, China 6% (2022)
Partners note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Commodities: coal, aluminum, coke, natural gas, gold (2022)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports: $11.18 billion (2023 est.); $15.932 billion (2022 est.); $10.534 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: South Africa 23%, South Korea 20%, China 12%, India 10%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 5% (2022)
Partners note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Commodities: ships, refined petroleum, iron alloys, chromium ore, refined copper (2022)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.515 billion (2023 est.); $2.939 billion (2022 est.); $3.781 billion (2021 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates:
meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 63.886 (2023 est.)
63.851 (2022 est.)
65.465 (2021 est.)
69.465 (2020 est.)
62.548 (2019 est.)
63.851 (2022 est.)
65.465 (2021 est.)
69.465 (2020 est.)
62.548 (2019 est.)
Mozambique - Energy 2024
top of pageElectricity
Access electrification total population: 33.2% (2022 est.)
Access electrification urban areas: 79.4%
Access electrification rural areas: 5%
Installed generating capacity: 2.77 million kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 13.09 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Exports: 11.096 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Imports: 8.219 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 3.052 billion kWh (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 17.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 81.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
Production: 9.015 million metric tons (2022 est.)
Consumption: 11,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Exports: 9.413 million metric tons (2022 est.)
Imports: 9,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.792 billion metric tons (2022 est.)
Natural gas
Production: 5.338 billion m³ (2022 est.)
Consumption: 1.347 billion m³ (2022 est.)
Exports: 3.963 billion m³ (2022 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.832 trillion m³ (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.423 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 59,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 5.568 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 2.796 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
Mozambique - Communication 2024
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 29,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 13.871 million (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2022 est.)
Mozambique - Military 2024
top of pageMilitary expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.); 1.1% of GDP (2020 est.); 1.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military and security forces: Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army (Ramo do Exercito), Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM); Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR; police special forces), Border Security Force; other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2024)
Note 1: the FADM and other security forces are referred to collectively as the Defense and Security Forces (DFS)
Note 2: the PRM, SERNIC, and the UIR are responsible for law enforcement and internal security; the Border Security Force is responsible for protecting the country’s international borders and for carrying out police duties within 24 miles of borders
Note 3: the Presidential Guard provides security for the president, and the Force for the Protection of High-level Individuals provides security for senior-level officials at the national and provincial levels
Note 4: in 2023, the Mozambique Government legalized local militias that have been assisting security forces operating in Cabo Delgado against Islamic militants since 2020; this Local Force is comprised of ex-combatants and other civilians and receives training, uniforms, weapons, and logistical support from the FADM
Military service age and obligation: registration for military service is mandatory for all men and women at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; 24-month service obligation (note - in 2023, the Mozambique Government said it intended to raise the length of service from two to five years) (2023)
Terrorist groups: Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique (ISIS-M)
Note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Mozambique - Transportation 2024
top of pageNational air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 540,124 (2018)
Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.78 million (2018) mt-km
Mozambique - Transnational issues 2024
top of pageRefugees and internally displaced persons
Refugees country of origin: 10,655 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2023); 9,340 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)
Idps: 850,599 (north Mozambique, violence between the government and an opposition group, violence associated with extremists groups in 2018, political violence 2019) (2023)
Illicit drugs: a transit country for large shipments of heroin and methamphetamine originating from Afghanistan to primarily South Africa
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