View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2011 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

1 state-run TV station supplemented by 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 also broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.mz

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

21,172 (2010) country comparison to the world: 109

Internet users [time series]

613,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges domestic: stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala; extremely low fixed-line teledensity; despite significant growth in mobile-cellular services, teledensity remains low at about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean); landing point for the SEACOM fiber-optic cable

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

88,100 (2010) country comparison to the world: 149

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

7.224 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 87

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.417 billion expenditures: $2.986 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-5.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.25% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 9.95% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

16.263% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 15.675% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.21 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 -$1.171 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$4.81 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $4.169 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

45.6 (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 47.3 (2002)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for more than half of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force and smallholder agricultural productivity and productivity growth is weak. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings. At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More electrical power capacity is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007 the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a compact with Mozambique; the compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 9% in the decade up to 2007, one of Africa's strongest performances. However, heavy reliance on aluminum, which accounts for about one-third of exports, subjects the economy to volatile international prices. The sharp decline in aluminum prices during the global economic crisis lowered GDP growth by several percentage points. Despite 8.3% GDP growth in 2010, the increasing cost of living prompted citizens to riot in September 2010, after fuel, water, electricity, and bread price increases were announced. In an attempt to contain the cost of living, the government implemented subsidies, decreased taxes and tariffs, and instituted other fiscal measures.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

10.18 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Electricity - exports [time series]

11.21 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

3.436 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

14.98 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Exchange rates [time series]

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 35 (2010) 26.28 (2009) 24.125 (2008) 26.264 (2007) 25.4 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$2.243 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $1.853 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$9.893 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$21.81 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $20.38 billion (2009 est.) $19.17 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 28.8% industry: 26.4% services: 44.8% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$1,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 $900 (2009 est.) $900 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 6.3% (2009 est.) 6.8% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.7% (2008)

Imports [time series]

$3.335 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $3.243 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 28.6%, China 10.3%, Australia 7.2%, India 5.8%, US 4.7%, Portugal 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

13% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Labor force [time series]

9.871 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 81% industry: 6% services: 13% (1997 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

100 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - exports [time series]

3.5 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Natural gas - production [time series]

3.6 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Oil - consumption [time series]

17,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Oil - imports [time series]

14,540 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Population below poverty line [time series]

70% (2001 est.)

Public debt [time series]

46.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 38% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.159 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $2.099 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$4.033 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $3.667 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$2.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.059 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$2.736 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $2.531 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

24.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Unemployment rate [time series]

21% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 799,380 sq km country comparison to the world: 35 land: 786,380 sq km water: 13,000 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate [time series]

tropical to subtropical

Coastline [time series]

2,470 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) per capita: 32 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

1,180 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.43% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 94.28% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

216 cu km (1992)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Maputo geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

30 November 1990

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique former: Portuguese East Africa

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie V. ROWE embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (21) 492797 FAX: [258] (21) 490114

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Amelia Matos SUMBANA chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Aires Bonifacio ALI (since 16 January 2010) cabinet: Cabinet (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of Portuguese civil law, Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 74.7%, RENAMO 17.7%, MDM 3.9%, other 3.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 191, RENAMO 51, MDM 8

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland) lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown note: adopted 2002

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM [Daviz SIMANGO]; Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]; Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 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 December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. President GUEBUZA was reelected to a second term in October 2009. However, the elections were flawed by voter fraud, questionable disqualification of candidates, and Frelimo use of government resources during the campaign. As a result, Freedom House removed Mozambique from its list of electoral democracies.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 4,613,367 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,677,473 females age 16-49: 2,941,073 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 274,602 female: 280,008 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 148

Military service age and obligation [time series]

registration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45.9% (male 5,295,776/female 5,245,485) 15-64 years: 51.1% (male 5,550,501/female 6,174,668) 65 years and over: 3% (male 313,892/female 368,536) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

39.62 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

21.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 29

Death rate [time series]

13 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 77% of population rural: 29% of population total: 47% of population unimproved: urban: 23% of population rural: 71% of population total: 53% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 59

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

11.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

74,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1.4 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

5.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 119

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2006) country comparison to the world: 156

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 78.95 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 13 male: 81.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

Emakhuwa 25.3%, Portuguese (official) 10.7%, Xichangana 10.3%, Cisena 7.5%, Elomwe 7%, Echuwabo 5.1%, other Mozambican languages 30.1%, other 4% (2007 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 51.78 years country comparison to the world: 209 male: 51.01 years female: 52.57 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.8% male: 63.5% female: 32.7% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

MAPUTO (capital) 1.589 million; Matola 761,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

550 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 23

Median age [time series]

total: 16.8 years male: 16.1 years female: 17.4 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.027 physicians/1,000 population (2006) country comparison to the world: 184

Population [time series]

22,948,858 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246

Population growth rate [time series]

2.444% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Religions [time series]

Catholic 28.4%, Protestant 27.7% (Zionist Christian 15.5%, Evangelical Pentecostal 10.9%, Anglican 1.3%), Muslim 17.9%, other 7.2%, none 18.7% (2007 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 38% of population rural: 4% of population total: 17% of population unimproved: urban: 62% of population rural: 96% of population total: 83% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 8 years (2007)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.017 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.46 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 38% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability make the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Transportation

Airports [time series]

106 (2010) country comparison to the world: 54

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 83 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 39 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 2 country comparison to the world: 146 by type: cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Railways [time series]

total: 4,787 km country comparison to the world: 38 narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 30,331 km country comparison to the world: 97 paved: 6,303 km unpaved: 24,028 km (2008)

Waterways [time series]

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010) country comparison to the world: 86