Country Profile: Mozambique

Mozambique, located in southeastern Africa along the Mozambique Channel, is bordered by South Africa and Tanzania. With a population of over 34 million, it has a diverse society primarily composed of various African ethnic groups and a significant Portuguese-speaking community. The economy is classified as low-income, dominated by subsistence agriculture, while efforts to develop its natural gas resources face challenges from ongoing insurgencies. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique has transitioned from a Marxist regime to a multiparty democracy.

Geography

Mozambique is characterized by its diverse terrain, which includes coastal lowlands, uplands, and mountains. It has a total land area of 799,380 square kilometers, making it slightly more than five times the size of Georgia. The country features a coastline of approximately 2,470 km along the Indian Ocean and is prone to natural hazards such as severe droughts, cyclones, and floods.

Highest point: Monte Binga at 2,436 m
Total land boundaries: 4,783 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea of 12 nm
Population clusters: Major population centers are near Maputo, Beira, and Nampula.

People and Society

As of 2025, Mozambique has a population estimated at 34.2 million, with a youthful demographic, where nearly 44.7% are under 15 years of age. The society is primarily African (99%), with Portuguese as the official language, reflecting the country's colonial history. The population is marked by a mix of religions, predominantly Catholic and Muslim.

Gender distribution: Women make up 50.7% of the population.
Urbanization rate: 38.8% live in urban areas (2023).
Life expectancy at birth: 58.3 years (2024).
Literacy rate: 61.7% (2022).

Economy

Mozambique's low-income economy is heavily reliant on subsistence farming, with significant contributions from agriculture and extractive industries. Economic growth has been sporadic, with ongoing challenges from external debt and security threats affecting development projects, especially in the gas sector.

GDP (PPP): Approximately $51.8 billion (2024).
GDP per capita: Approximately $1,500 (2024).
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (2024).
Population below poverty line: 62.8% (2019).

Government

Mozambique is a presidential republic with a legal system influenced by Portuguese civil law. The government consists of an executive branch led by a president, a unicameral legislature, and a judiciary. The most recent presidential election occurred in October 2024.

Current President: Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since January 2025).
Legislature: The Assembly of the Republic has 250 members.
Official independence: June 25, 1975.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (FADM) are responsible for the country's military operations. Mozambique faces significant security threats from ISIS-aligned groups in the Cabo Delgado province, prompting military assistance from Rwanda and other nations.

Active military personnel: Estimated 12,000 (2025).
Military expenditure: 2% of GDP (2024).
Registration for military service: Mandatory for all at age 18.

Energy

Mozambique's energy sector is primarily focused on hydropower, which constitutes over 82% of its electricity generation capacity. However, access to electricity remains limited, particularly in rural areas.

Electrification rate: 33.2% (2022).
Installed generating capacity: 2.86 million kW (2023).
Natural gas production: 8.873 billion cubic meters (2023).

Environment

Mozambique's environmental issues include deforestation, soil erosion, and urban migration. The nation participates in numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

Agricultural land use: 52.8% of total land (2023).
Urban population growth rate: 4.24% (2020-2025).
Total renewable water resources: 217.1 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Mozambique's transportation infrastructure includes highways, railways, and air travel, with considerable investment in ports to facilitate trade.

Total railways: 4,787 km (2014).
Airports: 92 (2025).
Total ports: 11 (2024).

Communications

Telecommunication in Mozambique is developing, with a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions and an increasing internet user base.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 17.1 million (2024).
Internet users: 20% of the population (2023).
Fixed-line telephones: Fewer than 1 subscription per 100 inhabitants.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,206,144 (2025 est.)	Total population
Area	799,380 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$51.786 billion	Real GDP (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.6% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking work
Life Expectancy	58.3 years (2024 est.)	At birth total population
Birth Rate	36.07/1,000 (2025 est.)	Births per 1,000 people
Energy Consumption	5.789 million Btu/person (2023 est.)	Per capita energy consumption
Maternal Mortality Ratio	82 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)	Maternal health indicator
Literacy Rate	61.7% (2022 est.)	Total population
Urban Population	38.8% (2023)	Percentage of urban dwellers