Country Summary
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
31,693,239 (2022 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
2.56% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Maputo
Executive branch
chief of state: President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015); Prime Minister Adriano Afonso MALEIANE (since 3 March 2022); note - President NYUSI removed former Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho DO ROSARIO from office on 3 March 2022 as part of a cabinet reshuffle
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; 248 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 2 members representing Mozambicans abroad directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) (2019)
Economy
Economic overview
low-income East African economy; mostly rural labor force; natural resource rich; strong South African ties; Islamist terrorism in north endangers newly discovered natural gas; currently in court over massive (possibly unauthorized) debt
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$38.42 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$1,200 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
sugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, bananas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum, potatoes
Industries
aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
Exports
$4.35 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
South Africa 16%, India 13%, China 12%, Italy 7%, United Arab Emirates 5%, Germany 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
coal, aluminum, natural gas, tobacco, electricity, gold, lumber (2019)
Imports
$8.38 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 31%, India 18%, China 17% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, chromium, iron, bauxite, electricity (2019)
Exchange rates
meticais (MZM) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Thursday, July 28, 2022
