Mozambique

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Mozambique ended almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony when it gained 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.

Geography

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

Climate
tropical to subtropical

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

People and Society

Population
total: 33,350,954 (2024 est.)

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

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.)

Religions
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.)

Population growth rate
2.54% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Maputo

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)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Fabião NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Abigail L. DRESSEL (since 11 August 2025)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$51.786 billion (2024 est.)
$50.844 billion (2023 est.)
$48.222 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$1,500 (2024 est.)
$1,500 (2023 est.)
$1,500 (2022 est.)

Exports
$9.358 billion (2024 est.)
$9.405 billion (2023 est.)
$9.409 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)

Imports
$10.488 billion (2024 est.)
$11.18 billion (2023 est.)
$15.932 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
South Africa 34%, China 14%, India 13%, UAE 6%, Singapore 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.493, ranking it 182th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 103rd out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.08. (more information)