Mozambique

Republic of MozambiqueRepublica de Mocambique

republicIndependence 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

Mozambique as the 2010 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 135 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalMaputo, UTC+2
Position18 15 S, 35 00 E
Area799,380 sq km
LocationSoutheastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Populationas each edition published it
22.06 million July 2010 est. · 14.57m in 1990
Population growth% a year
1.797% 2010 est. · 6.06% in 1993
Median ageyears
17.5 years 2010 est. · 19 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
41.37 years 2010 est. · 48.03 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
5.13 children per woman 2010 est. · 6.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
103.82 deaths per 1,000 live births 2010 est. · 138 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$1,000 2010 est. · $115 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
8.3% 2010 est. · 0.3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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 1990's. 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.

Geography

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

20 fields

Land useshare of 799,380 sq km

arable land 5.43%permanent crops 0.29%other 94.28% (2005)irrigated 1,180 sq km (2003)
Area
799,380sq km
country comparison to the world: 35land: 786,380 sq kmwater: 13,000 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of California
Coastline
2,470km
territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
2,436m
Monte Bingalowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
4,571km
border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

18 15 S, 35 00 E

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:
0.63 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)
per capita:
32 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

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

Environment - current issues

  • a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in 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

Geography - note

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

People

23 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2010 est.)

257,119
65 and over2.9%
361,772
5,605,227
15-6452.8%
5,842,679
4,829,272
0-1444.3%
4,773,209
MaleFemale
Population
22,061,451
country comparison to the world: 52growth rate: 1.797% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 67
Note
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; the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2010 est.)

Per 1,000 population

Birth
37.8 (2010 est.)Death
19.83 (July 2010 est.)Net migration
0

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2010 est.)41.37
42.05 · 40.68Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)103.82
106.53 · 101.07Literacy (2003 est.)47.8%
63.5% · 32.7%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2010 est.)17.5
17.1 · 17.9School life expectancy years (2005)8
9 · 7
MaleFemaleLife expectancy country comparison to the world: 222 · Infant mortality country comparison to the world: 6 · Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

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

Religions(1997 census)

Catholic 23.8%Muslim 17.8%Zionist Christian 17.5%other 17.8%none 23.1% (1997 census)
Urban population
37%of total population
(2008)rate of urbanization: 4.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
12.5%
(2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 8

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.017 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.71 male(s)/female
total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.13 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.5 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

HIV/AIDS - deaths

81,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk:
very high
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:
malaria and plague
water contact disease:
schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:
rabies (2009)

Nationality

noun:
Mozambican(s)
adjective:
Mozambican

Languages

Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 70

Government

Republic; President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005); Prime Minister Aires Bonifacio ALI (since 16 January 2010)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

76.3%
Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica, 250 seats, elected 28 October 2009one dot, one seat

FRELIMO 191RENAMO 51MDM 8

Percent of vote

FRELIMO 74.7%RENAMO 17.7%MDM 3.9%other 3.7%

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form:
Mozambique
local long form:
Republica de Mocambique
local short form:
Mocambique
former:
Portuguese East Africa

Capital

name:
Maputo
geographic coordinates:
25 57 S, 32 35 E
time difference:
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Constitution

30 November 1990

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)
head of government:
Prime Minister Aires Bonifacio ALI (since 16 January 2010)
cabinet:
Cabinet; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
  • election last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014);
  • prime minister appointed by the president
election results:
Armando GUEBUZA reelected president; percent of vote - Armando GUEBUZA 76.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 14.9%, Daviz SIMANGO 8.8%

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held on 28 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results:
percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 74.7%, RENAMO 17.7%, MDM 3.9%, other 3.7%; seats by party - FRELIMO 191, RENAMO 51, MDM 8

Judicial branch

  • Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional judges are appointed by the president, and some are elected by the Assembly);
  • other courts include an Administrative Court, Constitutional Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

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]

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Amelia Matos SUMBANA
chancery:
1525 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
[1] (202) 293-7146
FAX:
[1] (202) 835-0245

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Leslie V. ROWE
embassy:
Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone:
[258] (21) 492797
FAX:
[258] (21) 490114

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

National anthem

name:
"Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)
lyrics/music:
Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown

note: adopted 2002

Economy

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries.

48 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$22.19billion
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 122$20.49 billion (2009 est.) · $19.28 billion (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollarsofficial exchange rate: $10.21 billion (2010 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,000
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 218$900 (2009 est.) · $900 (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Real growth rate
8.3%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 86.3% (2009 est.) · 6.8% (2008 est.)industrial production growth: 8% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 31
Inflation, consumer prices
13.5%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 2173.3% (2009 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)

agriculture 28.8%industry 26%services 45.2% (2010 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production
15.91 billion (2007 est.)Electricity consumption
10.16 billion (2007 est.)Electricity exports
11.82 billion (2007 est.)Electricity imports
8.278 billion (2007 est.)

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, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate.

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, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for more than half of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line.

Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force and smallholder agricultural productivity and productivity growth is weak. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the Mozal aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date, has increased export earnings.

At the end of 2007, and after years of negotiations, the government took over Portugal's majority share of the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectricity (HCB) company, a dam that was not transferred to Mozambique at independence because of the ensuing civil war and unpaid debts. More power is needed for additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing that could further close the import/export gap.

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 Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a Compact with Mozambique;

the Compact entered into force in September 2008 and will continue for five years. Compact projects will focus 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. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 9% in the decade up to 2007, one of Africa's strongest performances.

However, heavy reliance on aluminum, which accounts for about one-third of exports, subjects the economy to volatile international prices. The sharp decline in aluminum prices during the global economic crisis lowered GDP growth by several percentage points. Despite 8.3% GDP growth in 2010, the increasing cost of living prompted citizens to riot in September 2010, after bread price increases were announced.

In an attempt to contain the cost of living, the government implemented subsidies, decreased taxes and tariffs, and instituted other fiscal measures.

Labor force

9.87 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
81%
industry:
6%
services:
13% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
2.1%
highest 10%:
39.2% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.3 (2002) · 39.6 (1997) country comparison to the world: 33

Investment (gross fixed)

17.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Public debt

40.8% of GDP (2010 est.) · 33.4% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Central bank discount rate

9.95% (31 December 2009) · 9.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.68% (31 December 2009 est.) · 18.31% (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Stock of narrow money

$2.657 billion (31 December 2010 est) · $2.812 billion (31 December 2009 est) country comparison to the world: 114

Stock of broad money

$3.803 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $4.074 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Stock of domestic credit

$2.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $2.311 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Oil - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Oil - imports

13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - production

3.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas - consumption

100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - exports

3.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas - proved reserves

127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Current account balance

-$1.028 billion (2010 est.) · -$866 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Exports

$2.517 billion (2010 est.) · $1.947 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Netherlands 47.62%, South Africa 11.6% (2009)

Imports

$3.527 billion (2010 est.) · $3.059 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Africa 33.54%, Netherlands 8.42%, India 5.93%, China 4.24% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.982 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $1.829 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Debt - external

$4.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $4.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Exchange rates

meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 35 (2010), 26.283 (2009), 24.125 (2008), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006)

Communications

7 fields
Mobile cellular
5.971 million
(2009)
Internet users
21,172
(2010)
Fixed lines
82,400
(2009) · country code .mz

Telephone system

general assessment:
a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges
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 25 per 100 persons
international:
  • country code - 258;
  • satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean);
  • landing point for the SEACOM fiber-optic cable

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 also broadcast;
  • transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet users

613,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m
1under 914 m
5

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
39

Networkskm

Roadways
30,400Railways
4,787Waterways
460 (2010)
Roadways: paved: 5,685 km · unpaved: 24,715 km (2000) · Railways: narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008) · Waterways: (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake)

Airports

106 (2010) country comparison to the world: 54

Pipelines

gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2009)

Railways

total:
4,787 km

country comparison to the world: 37

narrow gauge:
4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total:
30,400 km

country comparison to the world: 97

paved:
5,685 km
unpaved:
24,715 km (2000)

Waterways

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010) country comparison to the world: 87

Merchant marine

total:
2

country comparison to the world: 145

by type:
cargo 2
foreign-owned:
2 (Belgium 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Military

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2008)

6 fields
Military expenditures
0.8%of GDP
(2006)country comparison to the world: 149

Military branches

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) (2008)

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 (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 4,787,832 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
2,448,161
females age 16-49:
2,269,562 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male:
272,922
female:
272,062 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

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 makes 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

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Mozambique.” The World Factbook 2010. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/mozambique/2010.