Geography
Size snapshot: slightly more than five times the size of Georgia.
CIA 2026
Data as of May 5, 2026
Mozambique
AfricaLand of Contrasts
Mozambique excels and struggles in equal measure. See what other surprises Mozambique holds.
Mozambique excels and struggles in equal measure. Strong at #16 for fertility rate, it stumbles on internet access. See what other surprises Mozambique holds.
-18.3, 35.0 - Africa
Area
802K km²
Pop.
34.21M
Stats
123
Reality brief
Mozambique is a country in Africa with a population of 34.21M and an area of 801,590 km². Life expectancy is 63.6 years.
Short factual summary generated from the same country data used in game rounds.
Core numbers
Stats worth knowing
Fast scan first, deep dive later.
Land Area
786.4K km²#34globally
Total land area in square kilometers, excluding lakes, rivers, and territorial waters.
Population Density
42.77 /km²#159globally
How many people live in each square kilometer of land.
Life Expectancy
63.6 years#197globally
How many years a newborn can expect to live, based on current mortality rates.
CO2 Per Capita
0.25 t/person/yr#197globally
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in tonnes per person, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Country briefing
Grounded facts about Mozambique
A quick real-world briefing before you dive deeper into rankings, surprises, and matchups.
Culture
Major languages include Makhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Tsonga 8.6%, Nyanja 8.1, and more.
CIA 2026
Identity
Formal name: Republic of Mozambique.
CIA 2026
Cities
Cities in Mozambique
Browse this country's cities before City Detective asks you to guess.
Maputo
Maputo City, Mozambique
Famous100/100
Open city guide
Beira
Sofala, Mozambique
Famous73/100
Open city guide
Nampula
Mozambique
Famous68/100
Open city guide
Pemba
Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique
Famous65/100
Open city guide
Quelimane
Zambezia Province, Mozambique
Famous65/100
Open city guide
Tete
Mozambique
Famous65/100
Open city guide
Xai-Xai
Gaza Province, Mozambique
Famous64/100
Open city guide
Matola
Maputo Province, Mozambique
Famous62/100
Open city guide
Top stats
Where They Stand Out
The strongest source-backed stats before the deeper data table.
Teen Birth Rate
153.45 per 1k#2globallyTop stat
The number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-19.
Dependency Ratio
89.51% of working-age pop.#8globallyTop stat
Dependents as a share of the working-age population, from World Bank Open Data.
Inequality (Gini)
49.6#5globallyTop stat
A measure of income inequality where 0 means everyone earns the same and 100 means one person has everything.
FDI Inflows (% GDP)
15.43% of GDP#10globallyTop stat
Foreign direct investment net inflows as a share of GDP, from World Bank Open Data.
Reality checks
Did You Know?
The stats that tend to surprise players in real rounds.
Only ranks #195 in gdp per capita
#195$1,495.32GDP Per Capita
GDP per person adjusted for purchasing power in constant 2017 international dollars, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Only ranks #229 in median age
#22916.3 yearsMedian Age
The age that splits the population in half: half are younger, half are older. UN WPP estimate as of 1 July 2023.
Only ranks #213 in mobile subscriptions (%)
#21350 per 100 peopleMobile Subscriptions (%)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people, from World Bank Open Data.
Only ranks #221 in internet users (%)
#22120%Internet Users (%)
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
Only ranks #182 in human development index
#1820.49Human Development Index
Composite 0-1 index of life expectancy, education, and income, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
Compared with the region
How Mozambique Compares
Country vs continent vs world averages
Mozambique
Africa avg
World avg
GDP per Capita
GDP per person, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) so costs of living are comparable across countries.
- Country
- $1,705.38
- Region avg
- $7,919.74
- World avg
- $31,844.55
Mozambique$1,705.38
Africa$7,919.74
World$31,844.55
-95% below worldWB 2023
Life Expectancy
How many years a newborn can expect to live, based on current mortality rates.
- Country
- 63.6 years
- Region avg
- 65.4 years
- World avg
- 73.7 years
Mozambique63.6 years
Africa65.4 years
World73.7 years
-14% below worldWB 2023
Human Development Index
Composite 0-1 index of life expectancy, education, and income, from Our World in Data using the latest available country values in TerraBrawl.
- Country
- 0.49
- Region avg
- 0.58
- World avg
- 0.74
Mozambique0.49
Africa0.58
World0.74
-33% below worldOWID 2023
Internet Users
The percentage of people who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
- Country
- 20%
- Region avg
- 43.08%
- World avg
- 70.29%
Mozambique20%
Africa43.08%
World70.29%
-72% below worldWB 2023
Think you can guess which countries rank higher?
Play this countryFactbook notes
About Mozambique
Country briefing
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India.
Read the full Factbook note
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 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 intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a 2016 cease-fire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in 2019.
Since 2017, violent extremists -- who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.
Geography & Climate6 facts
- Location
- Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
- Climate
- tropical to subtropical
- Terrain
- mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
- Natural Resources
- coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
- Natural Hazards
- severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
- Size Comparison
- slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California
People & Culture4 facts
- 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
- Catholic 27.3%, Islam 19.1%, Pentecostal 16.7%, Saio/Zione 16.3%, no religion 13.5%, other 4.3%, Anglican 1.7%, unknown 1.2% (2017 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- African 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.)
- Major Cities
- 1.852 million Matola, 1.163 million MAPUTO (capital), 969,000 Nampula (2023)
Government & History10 facts
- Government Type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Maputo
- Capital Coordinates
- 25 57 S, 32 35 E
- Capital Timezone
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Official Name
- Republic of Mozambique
- Name Origin
- named for an offshore island; the island was named after Mussa bin BIQUE (or Mussa Ibn MALIK), an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century
- Independence
- 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
- National Symbols
- rifle, hoe, and book
- National Anthem
- "Pátria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)
- UNESCO Heritage
- 1 (cultural)
Economy & Trade7 facts
- 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
- Industries
- aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
- Agricultural Products
- cassava, maize, sugarcane, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconuts, onions (2023)
- Export Partners
- India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
- Export Commodities
- coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)
- Import Partners
- South Africa 34%, China 14%, India 13%, UAE 6%, Singapore 3% (2023)
- Import Commodities
- refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023)
Infrastructure & Defense4 facts
- Military Forces
- Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Army, Mozambique Navy, Mozambique Air Force Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM; includes the Rapid Intervention Unit, UIR), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Border Security Force; other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2025)
- Military Service
- registration for military service is mandatory for all men and women at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; initial 60-month service obligation (2025)
- Energy Mix
- fossil fuels: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 82.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- Broadcast Media
- 1 state-run TV station supplemented by a 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)
Source:World Factbook archive 2026
Data vault
Deep Dive
Every tracked stat, grouped for fast scanning.
Demographics12 statsBest: #2
Teen Birth Rate
Youth Population (%)
Dependency Ratio
Birth Rate
Fertility Rate
Land Area
Population
Death Rate
Population Density
Urban Population (%)
Elderly Population (%)
Median Age
Society & Equality2 statsBest: #5
Wealth & Economy10 statsBest: #10
FDI Inflows (% GDP)
Government Debt (% GDP)
Inflation Rate
Youth Unemployment Rate
GDP (Nominal)
High-Tech Exports (%)
GDP Growth Rate
Unemployment Rate
GDP Per Capita
GDP Per Capita (PPP)
Health & Survival8 statsBest: #17
Infant Mortality
Child Mortality
Health Spending (% GDP)
Suicide Rate
Obesity Rate
Doctors (per 1,000)
Hospital Beds (per 1,000)
Life Expectancy
Environment9 statsBest: #18
Forest Area
Renewable Energy (%)
Protected Land (%)
Forest Coverage (%)
Irrigated Land
1.2K km²#86
Air Pollution (PM2.5)
Total CO2 Emissions
CO2 Per Capita
Electricity Access (%)
Technology3 statsBest: #20
Education & Future4 statsBest: #27
Land & Sea4 statsBest: #38
Land Border Length
4.8K km#38
Coastline Length
2.5K km#50
Highest Elevation
2.4K m#104
Lowest Elevation
0 m#144
Infrastructure3 statsBest: #40
Military & Defense2 statsBest: #65
Lifestyle4 statsBest: #107
Energy1 statsBest: #110
Electric Generating Capacity
2.86M kW#110
Keep exploring
Related Countries
Compare Mozambique vs neighbors
Open the head-to-head pages people naturally search after reading this profile.
Where Mozambique leads
Jump straight to the rankings where this country has its strongest edge.
Countries with Similar GDP
More Africa Countries
Share a country stat
Turn Mozambique's strongest number into a challenge card.
Mozambique
#34 in Land Area
Total land area in square kilometers, excluding lakes, rivers, and territorial waters.
Top 15% globally
786.4K km²
Frequently Asked Questions about Mozambique
What is the population of Mozambique?
Mozambique has a population of 34.21M, ranking #47 globally by population.
What continent is Mozambique in?
Mozambique is located in Africa. It has an area of 801,590 km².
What is the life expectancy in Mozambique?
Life expectancy in Mozambique is 63.6 years, ranking #197 globally.
What is the GDP per capita of Mozambique?
Mozambique's GDP per capita (PPP) is $1,705.38, ranking #195 globally.
What is Mozambique known for in global statistics?
Mozambique ranks particularly high in Land Area (#34), Population (#47), Population Density (#159).
What is Mozambique's Human Development Index?
Mozambique has an HDI of 0.493, ranking #182 globally. The HDI combines life expectancy, education, and income indicators.
How densely populated is Mozambique?
Mozambique has a population density of 42.8 people per km², ranking #159 globally.