Country Profile: Mozambique

Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa, bordered by the Mozambique Channel between South Africa and Tanzania. The country is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes coastal lowlands, uplands, and high plateaus, contributing to its rich natural resources, including coal and natural gas. With a population of over 34 million, Mozambique has a predominantly young demographic, but faces challenges such as a low-income economy heavily reliant on agriculture and plagued by insurgency in the northern region. Governance has transitioned from a Marxist state to a multiparty democratic framework since the early 1990s, fostering political development despite ongoing security issues.

Geography

Mozambique's geographical position offers a strategic coastline along the Mozambique Channel, with a total area of 799,380 sq km—slightly larger than California. The country's terrain features coastal lowlands and uplands, while its climate varies from tropical to subtropical. Mozambique experiences severe droughts and devastating cyclones that affect its central and southern provinces.

4,783 km of land borders with six countries
2,470 km coastline
Home to the Zambezi River, a critical waterway flowing through its fertile regions
52.8% of land designated for agricultural use (2023)

People and Society

Mozambique is home to a diverse population of approximately 34.2 million people as of 2025, with a high percentage of youth (44.7% under 15 years). The country is ethnically diverse, primarily comprising 99% African ethnic groups. Portuguese is the official language, alongside several indigenous languages. A rich tapestry of religions, including Catholicism and Islam, reflects the country's cultural diversity.

36.07 births per 1,000 population (2025)
58.3 years life expectancy at birth (2024)
61.7% literacy rate (2022)
Urbanization rate of 38.8% (2023)

Economy

Mozambique's economy is low-income and heavily reliant on subsistence farming, with significant contributions from agriculture and extractive industries. The country is undergoing economic growth, but faces challenges such as public debt and ongoing restructuring under the IMF’s HIPC initiative. The Islamist insurgency poses risks to investments, particularly in natural gas.

$51.786 billion real GDP (PPP) projected for 2024
3.6% unemployment rate (2024)
62.8% of the population below the poverty line (2019)
Major agricultural products include cassava, maize, and sugarcane

Government

Mozambique is a presidential republic with a mixed legal system. The latest constitution was adopted in 2004, allowing for multiparty elections. Political power has transitioned through various leaders, with the current president, Daniel CHAPO, taking office in 2025. The government faces challenges including a significant insurgency problem and strict political opposition.

250 seats in the unicameral Assembly of the Republic
18 years is the minimum voting age
Independence from Portugal achieved on 25 June 1975
Current prime minister is Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since January 2025)

Military and Security

The Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (FADM) includes the army, navy, and air force, alongside various security agencies tasked with maintaining national security. Military expenditures are about 2% of GDP. The FADM is actively involved in combating the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, which has resulted in significant civilian displacement.

Estimated 12,000 active military personnel (2025)
Mandatory registration for military service at age 18
Ongoing insurgency linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique (ISIS-M)
Collaborations with Rwandan and SADC forces to address security concerns

Energy

Mozambique's energy landscape is marked by significant reliance on hydroelectric power, while access to electricity remains limited, particularly in rural areas. The country generates a substantial amount of its electricity from renewable sources, notably hydroelectric plants.

33.2% electrification rate for the total population (2022)
2.86 million kW installed generating capacity (2023)
82.7% of total installed electric capacity from hydroelectric sources
8.873 billion cubic meters of natural gas produced (2023)

Environment

Mozambique faces several environmental challenges, including desertification, deforestation, and pollution due to increasing urban migration and industrial activities. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

217.1 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022)
Annual generation of 2.5 million tons of municipal solid waste (2024)
Participation in agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity

Transportation

Mozambique's transportation infrastructure is developing, with several airports and a rail system that connects major urban and industrial areas. The country has 92 airports and several key ports facilitating trade.

4,787 km of railway tracks (2014)
11 ports, including key facilities like Maputo and Beira
36 merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

Communications infrastructure is gradually improving, with a significant increase in mobile phone subscriptions. Internet access, while growing, still represents a small portion of the total population.

17.1 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
Only 20% of the population are internet users (2023)
29,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,206,144	Estimated for 2025
Area	799,380 sq km
GDP	$22.417 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy consumption	5.789 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth rate	36.07 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment	3.6%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy	58.3 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy rate	61.7%	Estimated for 2022
Electrification rate	33.2%	Total population, estimated for 2022
Total fertility rate	4.58 children born/woman	Estimated for 2025