Mozambique
Introduction
Background
In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500, and they set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 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 intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a 2016 cease-fire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in 2019.
Since 2017, violent extremists -- who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in 2019 -- have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates
18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total
799,380 sq km
land
786,380 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
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
Coastline
2,470 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical to subtropical
Terrain
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Elevation
highest point
Monte Binga 2,436 m
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
mean elevation
345 m
Natural resources
coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Land use
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.)
forest
41.7% (2023 est.)
other
5.5% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
1,180 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490
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] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Population distribution
three large population 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, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
Geography - note
the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
People and Society
Population
total
34,206,144 (2025 est.)
male
16,880,529
female
17,325,615
Nationality
noun
Mozambican(s)
adjective
Mozambican
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
Catholic 27.3%, Islam 19.1%, Pentecostal 16.7%, Saio/Zione 16.3%, no religion 13.5%, other 4.3%, Anglican 1.7%, unknown 1.2% (2017 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)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
89.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
83.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
18.3 (2025 est.)
Median age
total
17.4 years (2025 est.)
male
16.7 years
female
17.9 years
Population growth rate
2.53% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
36.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.34 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
three large population 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, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population
38.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.852 million Matola, 1.163 million MAPUTO (capital), 969,000 Nampula (2023)
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
65 years and over
0.97 male(s)/female
total population
0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.2 years (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
82 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
56.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male
60.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female
56.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population
58.3 years (2024 est.)
male
57.1 years
female
59.6 years
Total fertility rate
4.58 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.26 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 87.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 48.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 63.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 12.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 51.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 36.8% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 71.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 24.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 42.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 28.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 75.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 57.6% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
7.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total
1.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer
1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total
14.3% (2020 est.)
male
23% (2020 est.)
female
5.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
15.4% (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
64.8% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
16.8% (2015)
women married by age 18
52.9% (2015)
men married by age 18
9.7% (2015)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
20.4% national budget (2021 est.)
Literacy
total population
61.7% (2022 est.)
male
74.1% (2022 est.)
female
50.9% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total
10 years (2017 est.)
male
11 years (2017 est.)
female
10 years (2017 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
increased population migration to urban and coastal areas; desertification; soil erosion; deforestation; water pollution from artisanal mining; pollution of surface and coastal waters; wildlife preservation (elephant poaching for ivory)
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
Climate
tropical to subtropical
Land use
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.)
forest
41.7% (2023 est.)
other
5.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
38.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.24% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
9.549 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.)
from consumed natural gas
3.373 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
17.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions
energy
320.1 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
169.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
117.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
other
101.2 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.)
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.)
Total renewable water resources
217.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Government
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, People's Republic of Mozambique
etymology
named for an offshore island; the island was named after Mussa bin BIQUE (or Mussa Ibn MALIK), an influential Arab slave trader who set himself up as sultan on the island in the 15th century
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name
Maputo
geographic coordinates
25 57 S, 32 35 E
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology
named after the Maputo River, which drains into Maputo Bay south of the city; the river is said to be named after the son of Muagobe, a local chief in the 18th century
Administrative divisions
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Legal system
mixed system of Portuguese civil law and customary law
Constitution
history
previous 1975, 1990; latest adopted 16 November 2004, effective 21 December 2004
amendment process
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Daniel Francisco CHAPO (since 15 January 2025)
head of government
Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina LEVI (since 17 January 2025)
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
election/appointment process
president elected directly by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president
most recent election date
9 October 2024
election results
2024: Daniel CHAPO elected president in first round; percent of vote - Daniel CHAPO (FRELIMO) 65.2%, Venâncio MONDLANE (PODEMOS) 24.2%, Ossufo MOMADE (RENAMO) 6.6%
expected date of next election
October 2029
Legislative branch
legislature name
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica)
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
250 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
10/9/2024
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)
percentage of women in chamber
38.3%
expected date of next election
October 2029
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 5 judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 judges)
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
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
Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO
Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
Ambassador Alfredo Fabião NUVUNGA (since 19 April 2023)
chancery
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 293-7147
FAX
[1] (202) 835-0245
email address and website
washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz
https://usa.embamoc.gov.mz/
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Abigail L. DRESSEL (since 11 August 2025)
embassy
Avenida Marginal 5467, Maputo
mailing address
2330 Maputo Place, Washington DC 20521-2330
telephone
[258] (84) 095-8000
email address and website
MaputaConsular@state.gov
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
Independence
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow, with a red isosceles triangle based on the left side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a five-pointed yellow star with a crossed black-and-white rifle and hoe, on top of an open white book
meaning: green stands for the riches of the land, white for peace, black for the African continent, yellow for the country's minerals, and red for the fight for independence; the rifle stands for defense and vigilance, the hoe for agriculture, the open book for the importance of education, and the star for Marxism and internationalism
meaning: green stands for the riches of the land, white for peace, black for the African continent, yellow for the country's minerals, and red for the fight for independence; the rifle stands for defense and vigilance, the hoe for agriculture, the open book for the importance of education, and the star for Marxism and internationalism
National symbol(s)
rifle, hoe, and book
National color(s)
green, black, yellow, white, red
National anthem(s)
title
“Pátria Amada” (Lovely Fatherland)
lyrics/music
Salomão J. MANHICA/unkown
history
adopted 2002; the new anthem reflects the new multi-party political system
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Island of Mozambique
Economy
Economic overview
low-income East African economy; subsistence farming dominates labor force; return to growth led by agriculture and extractive industries; Islamist insurgency threatens natural gas projects in north; ongoing foreign debt restructuring and resolution under IMF Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$51.786 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$50.844 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$48.222 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024
$1,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$1,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022
$1,500 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$22.417 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
4.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.3% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture
26.3% (2024 est.)
industry
24.6% (2024 est.)
services
38.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
69% (2024 est.)
government consumption
17.1% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.1% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
42.7% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-52.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, maize, sugarcane, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconuts, onions (2023)
Industries
aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
Industrial production growth rate
2.9% (2024 est.)
Labor force
15.173 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024
3.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total
7.4% (2024 est.)
male
7.5% (2024 est.)
female
7.2% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
62.8% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
50.3 (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.7% (2019 est.)
highest 10%
41.1% (2019 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues
$6.243 billion (2024 est.)
expenditures
$7.223 billion (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2022
76.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
22.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024
-$2.498 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$2.207 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$6.367 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024
$9.358 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023
$9.405 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022
$9.409 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
India 18%, China 13%, South Africa 9%, UAE 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
coal, natural gas, aluminum, gold, precious stones (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024
$10.488 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023
$11.18 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022
$15.932 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 34%, China 14%, India 13%, UAE 6%, Singapore 3% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, chromium ore, iron alloys, iron ore, palm oil (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$3.843 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$3.637 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$2.939 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$8.274 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
meticais (MZM) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
63.905 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
63.886 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
63.851 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
65.465 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
69.465 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
33.2% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas
79.4%
electrification - rural areas
5%
Electricity
installed generating capacity
2.86 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption
12.983 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports
11.483 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
8.287 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
3.38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
0.4% 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.)
Coal
production
10.583 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports
10.658 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
900 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.792 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
42,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas
production
8.873 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
1.625 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports
7.09 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
2.832 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
5.789 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
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.)
Broadcast media
1 state-run TV station supplemented by a 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 (2019)
Internet country code
.mz
Internet users
percent of population
20% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
65,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C9
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
Ports
total ports
11 (2024)
large
0
medium
2
small
5
very small
4
ports with oil terminals
3
key ports
Beira, Chinde, Inhambane, Maputo, Mocambique, Pebane, Porto Belo
Military and Security
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; includes the Rapid Intervention Unit, UIR), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Border Security Force; other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2025)
Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM; includes the Rapid Intervention Unit, UIR), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Border Security Force; other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024
2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020
1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 12,000 active FADM (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FADM's inventory consists primarily of Soviet-era armaments, although in recent years it has received some secondhand equipment from a number of countries, including India, South Africa, and the UAE, mostly as donations (2025)
Military service age and obligation
registration for military service is mandatory for all men and women at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; initial 60-month service obligation (2025)
Military - note
the FADM is responsible for external security, cooperating with police on internal security, and responding to natural disasters and other emergencies; the primary focus of the FADM is countering an insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado by militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham terrorist group (ISIS-Mozambique; known locally as Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama‘a); since 2017, the conflict has claimed an estimated 6,000 lives and displaced an estimated one million persons; at Mozambique's request, Rwanda and several southern African countries under the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) deployed forces to Mozambique to combat the insurgency in 2021; the SADC forces departed in 2024; as of 2025, Rwanda continued to provide approximately 3,000 military and police personnel to assist Mozambican Defense and Security Forces, along with several hundred Tanzanian troops; the EU has also provided training assistance (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique (ISIS-M)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
24,250 (2024 est.)
IDPs
718,154 (2024 est.)