Mozambique

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 65,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Broadcast media

1 state-run TV station supplemented by a private TV station; Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are available; state-run radio provides nearly 100% territorial coverage and broadcasts in multiple languages; a number of privately owned and community-operated stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)

Internet country code

.mz

Internet users

percent of population: 20% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 29,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 17.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

cassava, maize, sugarcane, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconuts, onions (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

Current account balance

-$2.498 billion (2024 est.) -$2.207 billion (2023 est.) -$6.367 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$8.274 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic 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

Exchange rates

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 63.905 (2024 est.) 63.886 (2023 est.) 63.851 (2022 est.) 65.465 (2021 est.) 69.465 (2020 est.)

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

Exports - commodities

coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.417 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

50.3 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.7% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 41.1% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

South Africa 34%, China 14%, India 13%, UAE 6%, Singapore 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

2.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2024 est.) 7.1% (2023 est.) 10.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

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

Population below poverty line

62.8% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

76.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$51.786 billion (2024 est.) $50.844 billion (2023 est.) $48.222 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

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

$1,500 (2024 est.) $1,500 (2023 est.) $1,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.843 billion (2024 est.) $3.637 billion (2023 est.) $2.939 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Taxes and other revenues

22.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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)

total: 7.4% (2024 est.) male: 7.5% (2024 est.) female: 7.2% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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.)

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.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 33.2% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 79.4% electrification - rural areas: 5%

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 82.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

5.789 million Btu/person (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.)

Petroleum

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

Carbon dioxide emissions

9.549 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: -68,287 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 6.244 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 3.373 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Environmental issues

increased population migration to urban and coastal areas; desertification; soil erosion; deforestation; water pollution from artisanal mining; pollution of surface and coastal waters; wildlife preservation (elephant poaching for ivory)

International environmental 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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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.)

Methane emissions

energy: 320.1 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 169.5 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 117.5 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 101.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

17.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

217.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 372 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.076 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 38.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.5 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.2% (2022 est.)

Area

total : 799,380 sq km land: 786,380 sq km water: 13,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Coastline

2,470 km

Elevation

highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 345 m

Geographic coordinates

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1,180 sq km (2012)

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: 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.)

Location

Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490

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 note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces

Natural resources

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

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

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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

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

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

Constitution

history: previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004 amendment process: 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

Country 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 an offshore island; the island was named after Mussa bin BIQUE (or Mussa Ibn MALIK), an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charg d Affaires Abigail L. DRESSEL (since 11 August 2025) embassy: Avenida Marginal 5467, Maputo mailing address: 2330 Maputo Place, Washington DC 20521-2330 telephone: [258] (84) 095-8000 email address and website: MaputaConsular@state.gov https://mz.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Fabi o NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023) chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7147 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 email address and website: washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz https://usa.embamoc.gov.mz/

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); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 9 October 2024 election results: 2024 : Daniel CHAPO elected president in first round; percent of vote - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Ven ncio MONDLANE (PODEMOS) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 6.6% expected date of next election: October 2029

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 meaning: green stands for the riches of the land, white for peace, black for the African continent, yellow for the country's minerals, and red for the fight for independence; the rifle stands for defense and vigilance, the hoe for agriculture, the open book for the importance of education, and the star for Marxism and internationalism note: one of two national flags featuring a firearm; the other is Guatemala

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, Union Latina, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges) 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

Legal system

mixed system of Portuguese civil law and customary law

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 2029

National anthem(s)

title: P tria Amada (Lovely Fatherland) lyrics/music: Salom o J. MANHICA/unkown history: adopted 2002; the new anthem reflects the new multi-party political system

National color(s)

green, black, yellow, white, red

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Island of Mozambique

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

National symbol(s)

rifle, hoe, and book

Political parties

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

Military - note

the FADM is responsible for external security, cooperating with police on internal security, and responding to natural disasters and other emergencies; the primary focus of the FADM is countering an insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado by militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham terrorist group (ISIS-Mozambique; known locally as Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama a); since 2017, the conflict has claimed an estimated 6,000 lives and displaced an estimated one million persons; at Mozambique's request, Rwanda and several southern African countries under the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) deployed forces to Mozambique to combat the insurgency in 2021; the SADC forces departed in 2024; as of 2025, Rwanda continued to provide approximately 3,000 military and police personnel to assist Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, along with several hundred Tanzanian troops; the EU has also provided training assistance (2025)

Military and security forces

Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Army, Mozambique Navy, Mozambique Air Force Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM; includes the Rapid Intervention Unit, UIR), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Border Security Force; other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2025) note 1: the FADM and other security forces are referred to collectively as the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces (FDS) 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: 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 and security service personnel strengths

estimated 12,000 active FADM (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FADM's inventory consists primarily of Soviet-era armaments, although in recent years it has received some secondhand equipment from a number of countries, including India, South Africa, and the UAE, mostly as donations (2025)

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.)

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; initial 60-month service obligation (2025)

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)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 1.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

36.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 16.8% (2015) women married by age 18: 52.9% (2015) men married by age 18: 9.7% (2015)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.4% (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

64.8% (2023 est.)

Death rate

9.34 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 89.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 83.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 18.3 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 87.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 48.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 63.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 12.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 51.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 36.8% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

6% of GDP (2022 est.) 20.4% national budget (2021 est.)

Ethnic groups

African 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

2.26 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

9.1% of GDP (2021) 8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 56.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 60.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.2 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 58.3 years (2024 est.) male: 57.1 years female: 59.6 years

Literacy

total population: 61.7% (2022 est.) male: 74.1% (2022 est.) female: 50.9% (2022 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.852 million Matola, 1.163 million MAPUTO (capital), 969,000 Nampula (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

82 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 17.4 years (2025 est.) male: 16.7 years female: 17.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.2 years (2011 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

Nationality

noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican

Net migration rate

-1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.2% (2016)

Physician density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

total: 34,206,144 (2025 est.) male: 16,880,529 female: 17,325,615

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

Population growth rate

2.53% (2025 est.)

Religions

Catholic 27.3%, Islam 19.1%, Pentecostal 16.7%, Saio/Zione 16.3%, no religion 13.5%, other 4.3%, Anglican 1.7%, unknown 1.2% (2017 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 71.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 24.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 42.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 28.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 75.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 57.6% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years (2017 est.) male: 11 years (2017 est.) female: 10 years (2017 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.)

Tobacco use

total: 14.3% (2020 est.) male: 23% (2020 est.) female: 5.6% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.58 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 38.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Terrorist group(s)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 24,250 (2024 est.) IDPs: 718,154 (2024 est.)

Airports

92 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C9

Merchant marine

total: 36 (2023) by type: general cargo 9, other 27

Ports

total ports: 11 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 5 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Beira, Chinde, Inhambane, Maputo, Mocambique, Pebane, Porto Belo

Railways

total: 4,787 km (2014) narrow gauge: 4,787 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge