CapitalMaputo
Population34,206,144
Area799,380 km²
GDP per capita$1,500
LanguagesMakhuwa, Portuguese, Tsonga, Nyanja 8.1, Sena, Lomwe, Chuwabo, Ndau, Tswa, other Mozambican languages, other, unspecified
Currencymeticais
Life Expectancy58.3 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
During the initial half of the second millennium A.D., the port cities in northern Mozambique attracted traders from regions such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. Following 1500, the Portuguese managed to seize a significant portion of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims, establishing their own colonies in the process. Mozambique remained under Portuguese control until 1975. The nation's growth was severely impeded by extensive emigration, economic reliance on South Africa, a harsh drought, and a lengthy civil war, which lasted until the mid-1990s.
In 1989, the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party officially renounced Marxism, and the subsequent year saw the adoption of a new constitution that allowed for multiparty elections and embraced a free-market economy. A peace agreement, brokered by the United Nations, between FRELIMO and the rebel forces of the Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) concluded the conflict in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique experienced a significant political transition as Joaquim CHISSANO concluded his 18-year tenure. His successor, Armando GUEBUZA, was elected and served two terms before handing over executive authority to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. After 2012, the remaining armed factions of RENAMO engaged in sporadic low-level insurgencies, but a cease-fire established in 2016 culminated in a comprehensive peace agreement in 2019.
Since 2017, violent extremists -- identified by an official ISIS media outlet as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have launched attacks targeting civilians and security forces in the northern region of Cabo Delgado. In response, forces from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community were deployed in 2021 to assist Mozambique in combating the extremist threat.
Geography
Area
land
786,380 sq km
water
13,000 sq km
total
799,380 sq km
Climate
from tropical to subtropical climates
Terrain
predominantly coastal lowlands, central uplands, high plateaus in the northwest, and mountainous regions in the west
Land use
other
5.5% (2023 est.)
forest
41.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
52.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 45.1% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Southeastern Africa, adjacent to the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Coastline
2,470 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Monte Binga 2,436 m
mean elevation
345 m
Irrigated land
1,180 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
4,783 km
border countries
Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences severe droughts and is prone to destructive cyclones and floods in its central and southern provinces
Geography - note
the Zambezi River traverses the north-central and most fertile regions of the nation
Natural resources
resources include coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, and graphite
Area - comparative
slightly over five times the area of Georgia; just under twice the area of California
Geographic coordinates
18 15 S, 35 00 E
Population distribution
three significant population centers exist along the southern coastline between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central region between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest regions are the least densely populated, as depicted in the population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Malawi (which is shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km
note: [s] following a country name indicates the river source; [m] following a country name indicates the river mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
74.1% (2022 est.)
female
50.9% (2022 est.)
total population
61.7% (2022 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
Catholicism 27.3%, Islam 19.1%, Pentecostalism 16.7%, Saio/Zione 16.3%, no affiliation 13.5%, other beliefs 4.3%, Anglicanism 1.7%, unspecified 1.2% (estimation from 2017)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.93 male(s)/female
total population
0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.97 male(s)/female
Birth rate
36.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.34 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
16.7 years
total
17.4 years (2025 est.)
female
17.9 years
Population
male
16,880,529
total
34,206,144 (2025 est.)
female
17,325,615
Nationality
noun
Mozambican(s)
adjective
Mozambican
Tobacco use
male
23% (2020 est.)
total
14.3% (2020 est.)
female
5.6% (2020 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
38.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
44.7% (male 7,548,247/female 7,350,012)
15-64 years
52.4% (male 8,428,457/female 9,061,065)
65 years and over
2.9% (2024 est.) (male 473,030/female 490,143)
Ethnic groups
African 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
9.7% (2015)
women married by age 15
16.8% (2015)
women married by age 18
52.9% (2015)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
89.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
83.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
18.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
4.58 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 48.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 63.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 87.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 51.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 36.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 12.7% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
20.4% national budget (2021 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
60.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total
56.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
56.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.53% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.26 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
three significant population centers are located along the southern coastline between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central region between Beira and Chimoio adjacent to the Zambezi River, and in the northern urban areas of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest regions are the least densely populated, as illustrated in this population distribution diagram
Life expectancy at birth
male
57.1 years
female
59.6 years
total population
58.3 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
82 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 24.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 42.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 71.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 75.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 57.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 28.2% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
1.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.852 million Matola, 1.163 million MAPUTO (capital), 969,000 Nampula (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
7.2% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.2 years (2011 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.8% (2023 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
15.4% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
11 years (2017 est.)
total
10 years (2017 est.)
female
10 years (2017 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical to subtropical
Land use
other
5.5% (2023 est.)
forest
41.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
52.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 45.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
38.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
101.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
117.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
320.1 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
169.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
2.5 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
5.2% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
rising population movement towards urban and coastal regions; desertification; soil degradation; deforestation; water contamination due to artisanal mining; pollution of surface and coastal waters; conservation of wildlife (elephant poaching for ivory)
Total water withdrawal
municipal
372 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
25 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
1.076 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
9.549 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
3.373 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
-68,287 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
6.244 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
17.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
217.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: consists of three horizontal bands of equal size in green (top), black, and yellow, with a red isosceles triangle positioned on the left side; the black band is bordered in white; within the triangle is a five-pointed yellow star accompanied by a crossed black-and-white rifle and hoe, situated above an open white book
meaning: green symbolizes the wealth of the land, white represents peace, black signifies the African continent, yellow denotes the nation's minerals, and red embodies the struggle for independence; the rifle symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe stands for agriculture, the open book highlights the importance of education, and the star represents Marxism and internationalism
Capital
name
Maputo
etymology
derived from the Maputo River, which flows into Maputo Bay to the south of the city; the river is believed to have been named after the son of Muagobe, a local chief in the 18th century
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
25 57 S, 32 35 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
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
history
previously used in 1975 and 1990; the most recent version was adopted on 16 November 2004, effective from 21 December 2004
amendment process
proposed either by the president of the republic or endorsed by at least one-third of the Assembly of the Republic members; amendments that alter constitutional provisions, including state independence and sovereignty, the republican form of governance, fundamental rights and freedoms, and universal suffrage, require a two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly and must be ratified in a referendum; no referendum is needed for other amendments to pass
Country name
former
formerly known as Portuguese East Africa, currently the People's Republic of Mozambique
etymology
named after an offshore island; this island received its name from Mussa bin BIQUE (or Mussa Ibn MALIK), a prominent Arab slave trader who established himself as sultan on the island in the 15th century
local long form
Republica de Mocambique
local short form
Mocambique
conventional long form
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form
Mozambique
Independence
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Legal system
a mixed legal system incorporating Portuguese civil law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (comprising the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (composed of 7 judges)
subordinate courts
Administrative Court (only in the capital); provincial courts or Tribunais Judicias de Provincia; District Courts or Tribunais Judicias de Districto; customs courts; maritime courts; courts martial; labor courts; community courts
judge selection and term of office
the president of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president of the republic; the vice president is chosen by the president in consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) and confirmed by the Assembly of the Republic; other judges are elected by the Assembly; judges have renewable 5-year terms; the judges of the Constitutional Council are appointed - 1 by the president, 5 by the Assembly, and 1 by the CSMJ; these judges serve nonrenewable 5-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since 15 January 2025)
election results
2024: Daniel CHAPO won the presidential election in the first round; vote percentages - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Venâncio MONDLANE (PODEMOS) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 6.6%
head of government
Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since 17 January 2025)
most recent election date
9 October 2024
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote, potentially requiring 2 rounds for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); the prime minister is appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
National color(s)
green, black, yellow, white, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Island of Mozambique
Political parties
Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM
Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO
Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
250 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/9/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
38.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) (171); Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) (43); Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) (28); Other (8)
National anthem(s)
title
“Pátria Amada” (Beloved Fatherland)
history
adopted in 2002; the new national anthem reflects the country's multi-party political system
lyrics/music
Salomão J. MANHICA/unkown
National symbol(s)
rifle, hoe, and book
Administrative divisions
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 835-0245
chancery
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 293-7147
chief of mission
Ambassador Alfredo Fabião NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://usa.embamoc.gov.mz/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Avenida Marginal 5467, Maputo
telephone
[258] (84) 095-8000
mailing address
2330 Maputo Place, Washington DC 20521-2330
chief of mission
Ambassador (currently vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Abigail L. DRESSEL (since 11 August 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://mz.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, Union Latina, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; is a non-party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$6.243 billion (2024 est.)
expenditures
$7.223 billion (2024 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$9.409 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$9.405 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$9.358 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$15.932 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$11.18 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$10.488 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizers, soaps, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food items, beverages
Labor force
15.173 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2022
76.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
meticais (MZM) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
69.465 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
65.465 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
63.851 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
63.886 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
63.905 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$8.274 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
An economy in low-income East Africa; subsistence agriculture predominantly engages the labor force; growth resurgence being driven by agricultural and extractive sectors; Islamist insurgency poses risks to natural gas projects in the northern region; ongoing restructuring and resolution of foreign debt under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
South Africa 34%, China 14%, India 13%, UAE 6%, Singapore 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$1,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$1,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$1,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, maize, sugarcane, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconuts, onions (2023)
Exports - commodities
coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$6.367 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$2.207 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$2.498 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
22.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$22.417 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
69% (2024 est.)
government consumption
17.1% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.1% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
42.7% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-52.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
62.8% (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
4.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
2.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$48.222 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$50.844 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$51.786 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
7.5% (2024 est.)
total
7.4% (2024 est.)
female
7.2% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$2.939 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$3.637 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$3.843 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
24.6% (2024 est.)
services
38.4% (2024 est.)
agriculture
26.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.7% (2019 est.)
highest 10%
41.1% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
50.3 (2019 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
10.658 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
900 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
10.583 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.792 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
42,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
11.483 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
8.287 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
12.983 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
2.86 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
3.38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
7.09 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
8.873 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
1.625 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
2.832 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
5%
electrification - urban areas
79.4%
electrification - total population
33.2% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
5.789 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
16.3% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
20% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
One state-operated television channel complemented by a privately owned channel; the African service of Portuguese state television, RTP Africa, as well as the Brazilian-owned TV Miramar, are accessible; state-operated radio achieves almost complete territorial coverage and offers broadcasts in various languages; numerous privately owned and community-managed stations exist; broadcasts from several international media outlets can be received (2019)
Internet country code
.mz
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
29,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
17.1 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
50 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
65,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
5
medium
2
key ports
Beira, Chinde, Inhambane, Maputo, Mozambique, Pebane, Porto Belo
very small
4
total ports
11 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
92 (2025)
Railways
total
4,787 km (2014)
narrow gauge
4,787 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Merchant marine
total
36 (2023)
by type
general cargo 9, other 27
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C9
Military & Security
Military - note
The FADM is tasked with ensuring external security, collaborating with police forces on matters of internal security, and addressing natural disasters and other crises. Its main objective is to counter an insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, which is being perpetrated by militants associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS-Mozambique; locally referred to as Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama‘a). Since 2017, this conflict has resulted in an estimated 6,000 fatalities and has displaced around one million individuals. In 2021, at Mozambique's request, Rwanda and several nations from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) dispatched troops to combat the insurgency. These SADC forces withdrew in 2024. By 2025, Rwanda was still contributing approximately 3,000 military and police personnel to support the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, alongside several hundred troops from Tanzania. The European Union has also extended training support as of 2025.
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security 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; comprising the Rapid Intervention Unit, UIR), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Border Security Force; additional security units include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Military service registration is compulsory for all individuals, both male and female, at the age of 18. Selective compulsory military service applies to those aged 18 to 35, while voluntary service is available for individuals aged 18 and above. The initial term of service is set at 60 months (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the FADM primarily consists of Soviet-era weaponry, although it has acquired some secondhand equipment from various nations, including India, South Africa, and the UAE, mainly as gifts in recent years (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 12,000 active FADM (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique (ISIS-M)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
718,154 (2024 est.)
refugees
24,250 (2024 est.)
