2015 Edition

Background

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with 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. 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 December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. President GUEBUZA was reelected to a second term in October 2009. However, the elections were flawed by voter fraud, questionable disqualification of candidates, and FRELIMO use of government resources during the campaign.

Area

land

786,380 sq km

total

799,380 sq km

water

13,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Coastline

2,470 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Monte Binga 2,436 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

46.05 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.88 cu km/yr (26%/4%/70%)

Geographic coordinates

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Geography - note

the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country

Irrigated land

1,181 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries (6)

Malawi 1,498 km, South Africa 496 km, Swaziland 108 km, Tanzania 840 km, Zambia 439 km, Zimbabwe 1,402 km

total

4,783 km

Land use

arable land 6.4%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 49.6%

agricultural land

56.3%

forest

43.7%

other

0% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west

Total renewable water resources

217.1 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

45.13% (male 5,740,743/female 5,677,563)

15-24 years

21.43% (male 2,657,099/female 2,764,109)

25-54 years

27.09% (male 3,201,321/female 3,654,012)

55-64 years

3.44% (male 415,357/female 455,450)

65 years and over

2.91% (male 338,552/female 398,907) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

38.58 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

percentage

22% (2008 est.)

total number

1,369,080

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.6% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

11.6% (2011)

Death rate

12.1 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.5%

potential support ratio

15.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

94.8%

youth dependency ratio

88.2%

Drinking water source

urban: 80.6% of population

rural: 37% of population

total: 51.1% of population

urban: 19.4% of population

rural: 63% of population

total: 48.9% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Health expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

10.58% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

44,900 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.543 million (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

68.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

72.29 deaths/1,000 live births

total

70.21 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Emakhuwa 25.3%, Portuguese (official) 10.7%, Xichangana 10.3%, Cisena 7.5%, Elomwe 7%, Echuwabo 5.1%, other Mozambican languages 30.1%, other 4% (1997 census)

Life expectancy at birth

female

53.72 years (2015 est.)

male

52.18 years

total population

52.94 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

45.4% (2015 est.)

male

73.3%

total population

58.8%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

MAPUTO (capital) 1.187 million; Matola 937,000 (2015)

Median age

female

17.6 years (2015 est.)

male

16.4 years

total

17 years

Nationality

adjective

Mozambican

noun

Mozambican(s)

Net migration rate

-1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.5% (2014)

Physicians density

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

25,303,113

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.45% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 28.4%, Muslim 17.9%, Zionist Christian 15.5%, Protestant 12.2% (includes Pentecostal 10.9% and Anglican 1.3%), other 6.7%, none 18.7%, unspecified 0.7% (2007 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 42.4% of population

rural: 10.1% of population

total: 20.5% of population

urban: 57.6% of population

rural: 89.9% of population

total: 79.5% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

9 years (2013)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.96 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.88 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.21 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

32.2% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Capital

geographic coordinates

25 57 S, 32 35 E

name

Maputo

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004; note - amendments drafted by late 2013, but parliamentary review has been stalled (2014)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form

Mozambique

former

Portuguese East Africa

local long form

Republica de Mocambique

local short form

Mocambique

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Douglas M. GRIFFITHS (since 6 July 2012)

embassy

Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

FAX

[258] (21) 490114

mailing address

P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone

[258] (21) 492797

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Amelia Narciso Matos SUMBANA (since 2 November 2009)

FAX

[1] (202) 835-0245

telephone

[1] (202) 293-7146

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015)

election results

Filipe NYUSI elected president; percent of vote - Filipe NYUSI (FRELIMO) 57.0%, Afonso DHLAKAMA (RENAMO) 36.6%, Daviz SIMANGO (MDM) 6.4%

elections/appointments

president elected directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 15 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho DO ROSARIO (since 17 January 2015); Alberto Clementino Antonio VAQUINA removed from office 9 January 2015

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book; green represents the riches of the land, white peace, black the African continent, yellow the country's minerals, and red the struggle for independence; the rifle symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe refers to the country's agriculture, the open book stresses the importance of education, and the star represents Marxism and internationalism

Government type

republic

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges); note - the Higher Council of the Judiciary is responsible for judiciary management and discipline

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president and vice president appointed by Mozambique president in consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) and with ratification by the legislature; other judges elected by the legislature; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Council judges appointed - 1 by the president, 5 by the legislature, and 1 by the CSMJ; judges serve 5-year nonrenewable terms

subordinate courts

Administrative Court (capital city only); provincial courts or Tribunais Judicias de Provincia; District Courts or Tribunais Judicias de Districto; customs courts; maritime courts; courts marshal; labor courts; community courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of Portuguese civil law, and customary law; note - in rural, predominately Muslim villages with no formal legal system, Islamic law may be applied

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members - including 2 representing Mozambicans abroad - directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 55.9%, RENAMO 32.5%, MDM 8.4%, other 3.3%; seats by party - FRELIMO 144, RENAMO 89, MDM 17

elections

last held on 15 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown

name

"Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)

note

adopted 2002

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

National symbol(s)

national colors: green, black, yellow, white, red

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM [Daviz SIMANGO]

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA]

Mozambique National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (manioc, tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry

Budget

expenditures

$6.967 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$5.324 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.5% (17 January 2013)

3.25% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.3% (31 December 2014 est.)

15.33% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$5.797 billion (2014 est.)

-$5.892 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$7.521 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$6.416 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.6 (2008)

47.3 (2002)

Economy - overview

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, propelled the country’s GDP from $4 billion in 1993, following the war, to about $30.9 billion in 2014. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, more than half the population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. A substantial trade imbalance persists although aluminum production from the Mozal smelter has significantly boosted export earnings in recent years. In 2012, The Mozambican government took over Portugal's last remaining share in the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity Company (HCB), a significant contributor to the Southern African Power Pool. The government has plans to expand the Cahora Bassa Dam and build additional dams to increase its electricity exports and fulfill the needs of its burgeoning domestic industries. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level. In July 2007, the US government's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $506.9 million Compact with Mozambique that ended in 2013. The Compact focused on improving sanitation, roads, agriculture, and the business regulation environment in an effort to spur economic growth in the four northern provinces of the country. Citizens rioted in September 2010 after fuel, water, electricity, and bread price increases were announced. In an attempt to lessen the negative impact on the population, the government implemented subsidies, decreased taxes and tariffs, and instituted other fiscal measures. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 6%-8% in the decade up to 2014, one of Africa's strongest performances. Mozambique's ability to attract large investment projects in natural resources is expected to extend high growth rates in coming years. Revenues from these vast resources, including natural gas, coal, titanium and hydroelectric capacity, could overtake donor assistance within five years.

Exchange rates

meticais (MZM) per US dollar -

31.2 (2014 est.)

30.125 (2013 est.)

28.38 (2012 est.)

29.075 (2011 est.)

33.96 (2010 est.)

Exports

$4.345 billion (2014 est.)

$4.123 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

Exports - partners

China 28.8%, South Africa 20%, Italy 7.7%, Belgium 5.9%, India 5.7%, Spain 5.2% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

31.8%

government consumption

17.9%

household consumption

74.2%

imports of goods and services

-74.3%

investment in fixed capital

50.3%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

28.9%

industry

24%

services

47.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2014 est.)

$1,100 (2013 est.)

$1,000 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.4% (2014 est.)

7.4% (2013 est.)

7.1% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.68 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$31.1 billion (2014 est.)

$28.96 billion (2013 est.)

$26.96 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

15.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

14.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

36.7% (2008)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$8.954 billion (2014 est.)

$8.48 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

South Africa 26.5%, China 17.4%, India 16.6% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

9% (2014 est.)

Industries

aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2014 est.)

4.2% (2013 est.)

Labor force

12.25 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

81%

industry

6%

services

13% (1997 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

52% (2009 est.)

Public debt

47.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

41.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.334 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$3.142 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$7.777 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$7.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.982 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.573 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.267 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.851 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

17% (2007 est.)

21% (1997 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.789 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

20 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

10.19 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

9.462 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

10.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

89.7% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

8.537 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.429 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

14.83 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

755 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

3.6 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

4.355 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.832 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

24,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

953 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,140 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

992 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-run TV station supplemented by 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.mz

Internet users

percent of population

5.5% (2014 est.)

total

1.4 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)

Telephone system

domestic

stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala; extremely low fixed-line teledensity; despite significant growth in mobile-cellular services, teledensity remains low at about 35 per 100 persons

general assessment

a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges

international

country code - 258; landing point for the EASSy and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

68,800

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

75 (2014 est.)

total

18.4 million

Television broadcast stations

4 (2008)

Airports

98 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

1

total

21

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

38 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

29

total

77

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 2

foreign-owned

2 (Belgium 2) (2010)

total

2

Pipelines

gas 972 km; refined products 278 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Railways

narrow gauge

4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

total

4,787 km

Roadways

paved

6,303 km

total

30,331 km

unpaved

24,028 km (2009)

Waterways

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

4,613,367 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

2,941,073 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,677,473

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

280,008 (2010 est.)

male

274,602

Military branches

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2012)

Military service age and obligation

registration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted (2012)

Disputes - international

South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

Illicit drugs

southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability make the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

61,102 (2015 floods) (2015)