2018 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 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 have intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency since 2012, although a late December 2016 ceasefire held throughout 2017.

Area

land

786,380 sq km

total

799,380 sq km

water

13,000 sq km

Area Comparative

slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California

Climate

tropical to subtropical

Coastline

2,470 km

Elevation

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Indian Ocean

mean elevation

345 m

note

2436 highest point: Monte Binga

Environment Current Issues

increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; soil erosion; deforestation; water pollution caused by artisanal mining; pollution of surface and coastal waters; wildlife preservation (elephant poaching for ivory)

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

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

1,180 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (6)

Malawi 1498 km, South Africa 496 km, Eswatini 108 km, Tanzania 840 km, Zambia 439 km, Zimbabwe 1402 km

total

4,783 km

Land Use

arable land: 6.4% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 49.6% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

56.3% (2011 est.)

forest

43.7% (2011 est.)

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

Population Distribution

three large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas

Terrain

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

Age Structure

0-14 years

44.52% (male 6,097,116 /female 6,028,416)

15-24 years

21.6% (male 2,905,254 /female 2,977,732)

25-54 years

27.62% (male 3,525,755 /female 3,995,264)

55-64 years

3.37% (male 442,990 /female 475,900)

65 years and over

2.88% (male 359,624 /female 425,738) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

37.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

15.6% (2011)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

27.1% (2015)

Death Rate

11.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

Mozambique is a poor, sparsely populated country with high fertility and mortality rates and a rapidly growing youthful population – 45% of the population is younger than 15. Mozambique’s high poverty rate is sustained by natural disasters, disease, high population growth, low agricultural productivity, and the unequal distribution of wealth. The country’s birth rate is among the world’s highest, averaging around more than 5 children per woman (and higher in rural areas) for at least the last three decades. The sustained high level of fertility reflects gender inequality, low contraceptive use, early marriages and childbearing, and a lack of education, particularly among women. The high population growth rate is somewhat restrained by the country’s high HIV/AIDS and overall mortality rates. Mozambique ranks among the worst in the world for HIV/AIDS prevalence, HIV/AIDS deaths, and life expectancy at birth.Mozambique is predominantly a country of emigration, but internal, rural-urban migration has begun to grow. Mozambicans, primarily from the country’s southern region, have been migrating to South Africa for work for more than a century. Additionally, approximately 1.7 million Mozambicans fled to Malawi, South Africa, and other neighboring countries between 1979 and 1992 to escape from civil war. Labor migrants have usually been men from rural areas whose crops have failed or who are unemployed and have headed to South Africa to work as miners; multiple generations of the same family often become miners. Since the abolition of apartheid in South Africa in 1991, other job opportunities have opened to Mozambicans, including in the informal and manufacturing sectors, but mining remains their main source of employment.

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.1 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

16.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

93.5 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

87.5 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 80.6% of population

rural: 37% of population

total: 51.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 19.4% of population

rural: 63% of population

total: 48.9% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic Groups

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

Health Expenditures

7% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

12.5% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

70,000 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

2.1 million (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

62 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

66 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

64 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

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 0.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2007 est.)

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

54.9 years (2018 est.)

male

53.3 years (2018 est.)

total population

54.1 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

45.4% (2015 est.)

male

73.3% (2015 est.)

total population

58.8% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

animal contact diseases

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high (2016)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever (2016)

water contact diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

1.635 million Matola, 1.102 million MAPUTO (capital), 775,000 Nampula (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

489 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

17.8 years (2018 est.)

male

16.7 years

total

17.3 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

18.9 years (2011 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

adjective

Mozambican

noun

Mozambican(s)

Net Migration Rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

7.2% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

27,233,789 (July 2018 est.)

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

Population Growth Rate

2.46% (2018 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 30.3%, Muslim 19.2%, Protestant 19.2%, Zionist Christian 10.6%, Evangelical/Pentecostal 9.3% (includes Anglican), other 1.4%, none 9.3% (2015 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 42.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 10.1% of population (2015 est.)

total: 20.5% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 57.6% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 89.9% of population (2015 est.)

total: 79.5% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

9 years (2014)

male

10 years (2014)

total

10 years (2014)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

0.97 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

0.88 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.92 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.85 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

5.02 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

7.1% (2015 est.)

male

7.7% (2015 est.)

total

7.4% (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.35% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

36% of total population (2018)

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)

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

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one-third of the Assembly of the Republic membership; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions including the independence and sovereignty of the state, the republican form of government, basic rights and freedoms, and universal suffrage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and approval in a referendum; referenda not required for passage of other amendments; amended 2007, 2018 (2018)

history

previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004 (2018)

Country Name

conventional long form

Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form

Mozambique

etymology

named for the offshore island of Mozambique; the island was apparently named after Mussa al-BIK, an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century

former

Portuguese East Africa, People's Republic of Mozambique

local long form

Republica de Mocambique

local short form

Mocambique

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador H. Dean PITTMAN (since 18 February 2016)

embassy

Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

FAX

[258] (21) 49 0114

mailing address

P.O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone

[258] (21) 49 2797

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

chancery

1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Carlos DOS SANTOS (since 28 January 2016)

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

elections/appointments

president elected directly 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 on 15 October 2019); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015); Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho DO ROSARIO (since 17 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

note

one of only two national flags featuring a firearm, the other is Guatemala

Government Type

presidential 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 courts

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 Magistracy is responsible for judiciary management and discipline

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic; vice president appointed by the president in consultation with the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) and ratified by the Assembly of the Republic; other judges elected by the Assembly; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Council judges appointed - 1 by the president, 5 by the Assembly, 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 elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 2 members representing Mozambicans abroad appointed by the elected party; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 55.9%, RENAMO 32.5%, MDM 8.4%, other 3.2%; 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 [Filipe NYUSI]Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Afonso DHLAKAMA]

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

4.054 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

3.356 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-5.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

19% (4 November 2017)

23.25% (31 December 2016)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

27.86% (31 December 2017 est.)

21.18% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$2.824 billion (2017 est.)

-$4.28 billion (2016 est.)

Debt External

$10.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$10.48 billion (31 December 2016 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 policies, economic mismanagement, and a brutal civil war from 1977 to 1992 further impoverished the country. 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, in purchasing power parity terms, from $4 billion in 1993 to about $37 billion in 2017. 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, about half the population remains below the poverty line and subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force.Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt was reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives. However, in 2016, information surfaced revealing that the Mozambican Government was responsible for over $2 billion in government-backed loans secured between 2012-14 by state-owned defense and security companies without parliamentary approval or national budget inclusion; this prompted the IMF and international donors to halt direct budget support to the Government of Mozambique. An international audit was performed on Mozambique’s debt in 2016-17, but debt restructuring and resumption of donor support have yet to occur.Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 6%-8% in the decade leading up to 2015, one of Africa's strongest performances, but the sizable external debt burden, donor withdrawal, elevated inflation, and currency depreciation contributed to slower growth in 2016-17.Two major International consortiums, led by American companies ExxonMobil and Anadarko, are seeking approval to develop massive natural gas deposits off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, in what has the potential to become the largest infrastructure project in Africa. . The government predicts sales of liquefied natural gas from these projects could generate several billion dollars in revenues annually sometime after 2022.

Exchange Rates

meticais (MZM) per US dollar -

64.4 (2017 est.)

63.067 (2016 est.)

63.067 (2015 est.)

39.983 (2014 est.)

31.367 (2013 est.)

Exports

$4.725 billion (2017 est.)

$3.328 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

India 28.1%, Netherlands 24.4%, South Africa 16.7% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

38.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption

27.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption

69.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-70.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

13.9% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

23.9% (2017 est.)

industry

19.3% (2017 est.)

services

56.8% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$12.59 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$1,300 (2017 est.)

$1,200 (2016 est.)

$1,200 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$37.09 billion (2017 est.)

$35.76 billion (2016 est.)

$34.46 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

3.7% (2017 est.)

3.8% (2016 est.)

6.6% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

16.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

-1.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

36.7% (2008)

lowest 10%

36.7% (2008)

Imports

$5.223 billion (2017 est.)

$4.733 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

South Africa 36.8%, China 7%, UAE 6.8%, India 6.2%, Portugal 4.4% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

4.9% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

15.3% (2017 est.)

19.2% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

12.9 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

74.4%

industry

3.9%

services

21.7% (2015 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

note

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

46.1% (2015 est.)

Public Debt

102.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

121.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$3.361 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.081 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$3.817 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$4.337 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.242 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$3.817 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.411 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

26.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

24.5% (2017 est.)

25% (2016 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

11.12 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

27% (2013)

electrification - total population

39% (2013)

electrification - urban areas

66% (2013)

population without electricity

15.7 million (2013)

Electricity Consumption

11.57 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

12.88 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

16% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

83% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

9.928 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

2.626 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

18.39 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

1.841 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

4.162 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

6.003 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

2.832 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

26,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

25,130 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

total

41,653 (2017 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

17.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

4,543,284 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

extremely low fixed-line teledensity contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; three mobile-cellular operators provide coverage that includes all the main cities and key roads; mobile-cellular teledensity now about 70 per 100 persons (2016)

general assessment

the mobile segment has shown strong growth since the introduction of competition in 2003; poor fixed-line infrastructure means most Internet access is through mobile accounts (2016)

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) (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

80,545 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

45 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

11,875,506 (2017 est.)

Airports

98 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

9 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

5 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

21 (2017)

under 914 m

4 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

9 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

29 (2013)

total

77 (2013)

under 914 m

38 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

C9 (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type

general cargo 10, other 17 (2017)

total

27 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

5,138,916 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

686,892 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

16 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

3 (2015)

Pipelines

972 km gas, 278 km refined products (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 (2014)

Roadways

paved

7,365 km (2015)

total

31,083 km (2015)

unpaved

23,718 km (2015)

Waterways

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

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 Expenditures

1.03% of GDP (2016)

0.99% of GDP (2015)

1.02% of GDP (2014)

0.99% of GDP (2013)

0.91% of GDP (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

refugees (country of origin)

10,811 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2018)