Background: 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.

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

Land boundaries
Total: 4,783 km
Border countries (6): (6) Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km

Coastline: 2,470 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical to subtropical

Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Elevation
Highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation: 345 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 52.8% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 45.1% (2023 est.)
Forest: 41.7% (2023 est.)
Other: 5.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,180 km² (2012)

Major rivers: 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
Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces

Geography
Note: the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country

Population
Total: 33,350,954 (2024 est.)
Male: 16,449,734
Female: 16,901,220
Distribution: three large population 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
Growth rate: 2.54% (2024 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: 90.7 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 85.2 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 18.2 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 17.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 16.7 years
Female: 17.9 years

Population growth rate: 2.54% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 36.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: three large population 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)

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.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 82 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 58.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 57.1 years
Female: 59.6 years

Total fertility rate: 4.66 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 12.7% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 51.7% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 36.8% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 28.2% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 75.7% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 57.6% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 15.4% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 3.6% (2024 est.); 3.6% (2023 est.); 3.6% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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: named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city; the river is said to be named after the son of Muagobe, a local chief in the 18th century

Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Legal system: mixed system of Portuguese civil law and customary law

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since 15 January 2025)
Head of government: Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since 17 January 2025)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Election/appointment process: 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 9 October 2024 (next to be held by October 2,029); prime minister appointed by the president
Most recent election date: 9 October 2024
2024: Daniel CHAPO elected president in first round; percent of vote - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Venâncio MONDLANE (PODEMOS) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 6.6%

Legislative branch
Legislature name: Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
Legislative structure: unicameral
Number of seats: 250 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 5 years
Most recent election date: 10/9/2024
Parties elected and seats per party: Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) (171); Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) (43); Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) (28); Other (8)
Percentage of women in chamber: 38.3%
Expected date of next election: October 2,029

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow, with a red isosceles triangle based on the left side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a five-pointed yellow star with a crossed black-and-white rifle and hoe, on top of an open white book

National anthem
Title: “Pátria Amada” (Lovely Fatherland)
Lyrics/music: Salomão J. MANHICA/unkown
History: adopted 2002; the new anthem reflects the new multi-party political system

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: 1.9% (2024 est.); 5.4% (2023 est.); 4.4% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 1.9% (2024 est.); 5.4% (2023 est.); 4.4% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 69% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 17.1% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 42.7% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -52.9% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 26.3% (2024 est.)
Industry: 24.6% (2024 est.)
Services: 38.4% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Industries: aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 15.173 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 3.6% (2024 est.); 3.6% (2023 est.); 3.6% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 3.6% (2024 est.); 3.6% (2023 est.); 3.6% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $6.243 billion (2024 est.)
Expenditures: $7.223 billion (2024 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: 22.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $9.358 billion (2024 est.); $9.405 billion (2023 est.); $9.409 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $10.488 billion (2024 est.); $11.18 billion (2023 est.); $15.932 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 2.86 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 12.983 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 11.483 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 8.287 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 3.38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 33.2% (2022 est.)
Access electrification - urban areas: 79.4%
Access electrification - rural areas: 5%
Generation sources fossil fuels: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 82.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Production: 10.583 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 10.658 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.792 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 42,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas
Production: 8.873 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 1.625 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Exports: 7.09 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.832 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.549 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: -68,287 metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 6.244 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 3.373 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 5.789 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 29,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 15 million (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 20% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 65,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2024 est.); 2% of GDP (2023 est.); 2% of GDP (2022 est.); 2% of GDP (2021 est.); 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Airports: 92 (2025)

Railways
Total: 4,787 km (2014)
Narrow gauge: 4,787 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Merchant marine
Total: 36 (2023)
By type: general cargo 9, other 27