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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 41,653 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)

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; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.mz

Internet users [time series]

total: 4,543,284 | percent of population: 17.5% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: the mobile segment has shown strong growth given competition; poor fixed-line infrastructure means most Internet access is through mobile accounts; DSL, cable broadband, WiMAX (broadband over long distances), 3G and some fibre broadband available; LTE services launched (2018) | domestic: extremely low fixed-line teledensity contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; operators provide coverage that includes all the main cities and key roads; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and 45 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity (2018) | international: country code - 258; landing points for the EASSy and SEACOM/ Tata TGN-Eurasia fiber-optic submarine cable systems linking numerous east African countries, the Middle East and Asia ; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 80,545 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 11,875,506 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2017 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 3.356 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 4.054 billion (2017 est.)

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

-5.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

19% (4 November 2017) | 23.25% (31 December 2016)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

27.86% (31 December 2017 est.) | 21.18% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$2.824 billion (2017 est.) | -$4.28 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$10.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $10.48 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

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

45.6 (2008) | 47.3 (2002)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist policies, economic mismanagement, and a brutal civil war from 1977 to 1992 further impoverished the country. 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, propelled the country’s GDP, in purchasing power parity terms, from $4 billion in 1993 to about $37 billion in 2017. 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, about half the population remains below the poverty line and subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt was reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives. However, in 2016, information surfaced revealing that the Mozambican Government was responsible for over $2 billion in government-backed loans secured between 2012-14 by state-owned defense and security companies without parliamentary approval or national budget inclusion; this prompted the IMF and international donors to halt direct budget support to the Government of Mozambique. An international audit was performed on Mozambique’s debt in 2016-17, but debt restructuring and resumption of donor support have yet to occur. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 6%-8% in the decade leading up to 2015, one of Africa's strongest performances, but the sizable external debt burden, donor withdrawal, elevated inflation, and currency depreciation contributed to slower growth in 2016-17. Two major International consortiums, led by American companies ExxonMobil and Anadarko, are seeking approval to develop massive natural gas deposits off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, in what has the potential to become the largest infrastructure project in Africa. . The government predicts sales of liquefied natural gas from these projects could generate several billion dollars in revenues annually sometime after 2022.

Exchange rates [time series]

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - | 64.4 (2017 est.) | 63.067 (2016 est.) | 63.067 (2015 est.) | 39.983 (2014 est.) | 31.367 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$4.725 billion (2017 est.) | $3.328 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

India 28.1%, Netherlands 24.4%, South Africa 16.7% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$12.59 billion (2017 est.)

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

$37.09 billion (2017 est.) | $35.76 billion (2016 est.) | $34.46 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 69.7% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 27.2% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 13.9% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 38.3% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -70.6% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 23.9% (2017 est.) | industry: 19.3% (2017 est.) | services: 56.8% (2017 est.)

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

$1,300 (2017 est.) | $1,200 (2016 est.) | $1,200 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

3.7% (2017 est.) | 3.8% (2016 est.) | 6.6% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

16.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | -1.2% of GDP (2016 est.) | 5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$5.223 billion (2017 est.) | $4.733 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 36.8%, China 7%, UAE 6.8%, India 6.2%, Portugal 4.4% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.9% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

15.3% (2017 est.) | 19.2% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

12.9 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 74.4% | industry: 3.9% | services: 21.7% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

Population below poverty line [time series]

46.1% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

102.1% of GDP (2017 est.) | 121.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$3.361 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $2.081 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$3.817 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$4.337 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $4.242 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$3.817 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

26.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

24.5% (2017 est.) | 25% (2016 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

11.12 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

11.57 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

12.88 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

16% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

83% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

9.928 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.626 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

18.39 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 21 million (2017) | electrification - total population: 24.2% (2016) | electrification - urban areas: 64.2% (2016) | electrification - rural areas: 5% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.841 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

4.162 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

6.003 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

2.832 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

26,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

25,130 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Mozambique Print Image Description slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate [time series]

tropical to subtropical

Coastline [time series]

2,470 km

Elevation [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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 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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

1,180 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,783 km | border countries (6): Malawi 1498 km, South Africa 496 km, Eswatini 108 km, Tanzania 840 km, Zambia 439 km, Zimbabwe 1402 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 56.3% (2011 est.) | arable land: 6.4% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 49.6% (2011 est.) | forest: 43.7% (2011 est.) | other: 0% (2011 est.)

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

Population distribution [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

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) | etymology: reputedly named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

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 (2018)

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, 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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis W. HEARNE (since 22 February 2019) | telephone: [258] (21) 49 2797 | embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Caixa Postal, 783, Maputo | mailing address: P.O. Box 783, Maputo | FAX: [258] (21) 49 0114

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

Ambassador Carlos DOS SANTOS (since 28 January 2016) | 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 Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015, re-elected 15 Oct 2019) (2019) | head of government: President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015); Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho DO ROSARIO (since 17 January 2015) (2019) | 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 15 October 2024); prime minister appointed by the president (2019) | election results: Filipe NYUSI elected president in first round; percent of vote - Filipe NYUSI (FRELIMO) 73.0%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 21.9%, Daviz SIMANGO (MDM) 5.1% (2019)

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 | note: one of only two national flags featuring a firearm, the other is Guatemala

Government type [time series]

presidential 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, 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, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of Portuguese civil law and customary law; note - in rural, apply where applicable predominantly Muslim villages with no formal legal system, Islamic law may be applied

Legislative branch [time series]

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 single members representing Mozambicans abroad directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) (2019) | elections: last held on 15 October 2019 (next to be held on 15 October 2024) (2019) | election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 58%, RENAMO 36%, MDM 7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 144, RENAMO 89, MDM 17; composition - men 151, women 99, percent of women 39.6% (2019)

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)

National symbol(s) [time series]

national colors: green, black, yellow, white, red

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 [Filipe NYUSI] Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Ossufo MOMADE] Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique or Podemos [Helder Mendonca]

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 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 have intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency since 2012, although a late December 2016 ceasefire held throughout 2018 and has facilitated efforts toward a peacebuilding initiative and a constitutional amendment to devolve some governance to the provinces. Since October 2017, the northern province of Cabo Delgado has experienced violent extremist attacks.

Military and Security

Military and security forces [time series]

Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique (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) (2019)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.99% of GDP (2018) | 1.02% of GDP (2017) | 1.03% of GDP (2016) | 0.81% of GDP (2015) | 1.02% of GDP (2014)

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 (2019)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.52% (male 6,097,116 /female 6,028,416) | 15-24 years: 21.6% (male 2,905,254 /female 2,977,732) | 25-54 years: 27.62% (male 3,525,755 /female 3,995,264) | 55-64 years: 3.37% (male 442,990 /female 475,900) | 65 years and over: 2.88% (male 359,624 /female 425,738) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Mozambique Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Mozambique. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

37.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

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

15.6% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

27.1% (2015)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

5.1% (2016)

Death rate [time series]

11.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic profile [time series]

Mozambique is a poor, sparsely populated country with high fertility and mortality rates and a rapidly growing youthful population – 45% of the population is younger than 15. Mozambique’s high poverty rate is sustained by natural disasters, disease, high population growth, low agricultural productivity, and the unequal distribution of wealth. The country’s birth rate is among the world’s highest, averaging around more than 5 children per woman (and higher in rural areas) for at least the last three decades. The sustained high level of fertility reflects gender inequality, low contraceptive use, early marriages and childbearing, and a lack of education, particularly among women. The high population growth rate is somewhat restrained by the country’s high HIV/AIDS and overall mortality rates. Mozambique ranks among the worst in the world for HIV/AIDS prevalence, HIV/AIDS deaths, and life expectancy at birth. Mozambique is predominantly a country of emigration, but internal, rural-urban migration has begun to grow. Mozambicans, primarily from the country’s southern region, have been migrating to South Africa for work for more than a century. Additionally, approximately 1.7 million Mozambicans fled to Malawi, South Africa, and other neighboring countries between 1979 and 1992 to escape from civil war. Labor migrants have usually been men from rural areas whose crops have failed or who are unemployed and have headed to South Africa to work as miners; multiple generations of the same family often become miners. Since the abolition of apartheid in South Africa in 1991, other job opportunities have opened to Mozambicans, including in the informal and manufacturing sectors, but mining remains their main source of employment.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 93.5 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 87.5 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 16.5 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups [time series]

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Euro-African 0.2%, Indian 0.08%, European 0.06%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

12.6% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

53,900 (2018 est.)

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

2.2 million (2018 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 64 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 66 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 62 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Emakhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Xichangana 8.6%, Cinyanja 8.1, Cisena 7.1%, Elomwe 7.1%, Echuwabo 4.7%, Cindau 3.8%, Xitswa 3.8%, other Mozambican languages 11.8%, other 0.5%, unspecified 1.8% (2017 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 54.1 years (2018 est.) | male: 53.3 years | female: 54.9 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 56% | male: 70.8% | female: 43.1% (2015)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high (2016) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016) | vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever (2016) | water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016) | animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

1.669 million Matola, 1.104 million MAPUTO (capital), 811,000 Nampula (2019)

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

289 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.3 years (2018 est.) | male: 16.7 years | female: 17.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

18.9 years (2011 est.) | median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality [time series]

noun: Mozambican(s) | adjective: Mozambican

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

7.2% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population [time series]

27,233,789 (July 2018 est.) | 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

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

2.46% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

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.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 42.4% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 10.1% of population (2015 est.) | total: 20.5% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 57.6% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 89.9% of population (2015 est.) | total: 79.5% of population (2015 est.)

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

total: 10 years | male: 10 years | female: 9 years (2017)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.02 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 7.4% | male: 7.7% | female: 7.1% (2015 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 36.5% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 4.35% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 9,850 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 7,841 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2019) | IDPs: 14,000 (violence between the government and an opposition group, violence associated with extremists groups in 2018) (2018)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

98 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 21 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2017) | under 914 m: 4 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 77 (2013) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 29 (2013) | under 914 m: 38 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

C9 (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 27 | by type: general cargo 10, other 17 (2018)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 3 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 16 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 686,892 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5,138,916 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines [time series]

972 km gas, 278 km refined products (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Railways [time series]

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

Roadways [time series]

total: 31,083 km (2015) | paved: 7,365 km (2015) | unpaved: 23,718 km (2015)

Waterways [time series]

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010)