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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.
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Geography :: MOZAMBIQUE
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Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
18 15 S, 35 00 E
Africa
total: 799,380 sq km
land: 786,380 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
country comparison to the world:
35slightly less than twice the size of California
total: 4,783 km
border countries (6): Malawi 1,498 km, South Africa 496 km, Swaziland 108 km, Tanzania 840 km, Zambia 439 km, Zimbabwe 1,402 km
2,470 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
tropical to subtropical
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
agricultural land: 56.3%
arable land 6.4%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 49.6%
forest: 43.7%
other: 0% (2011 est.)
1,181 sq km (2003)
217.1 cu km (2011)
total: 0.88 cu km/yr (26%/4%/70%)
per capita: 46.05 cu m/yr (2005)
severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
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
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
the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
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People and Society :: MOZAMBIQUE
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noun: Mozambican(s)
adjective: Mozambican
African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
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)
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.)
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.)
country comparison to the world:
500-14 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.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 94.8%
youth dependency ratio: 88.2%
elderly dependency ratio: 6.5%
potential support ratio: 15.3% (2015 est.)
total: 17 years
male: 16.4 years
female: 17.6 years (2015 est.)
2.45% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2838.58 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1012.1 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
26-1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
166urban population: 32.2% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 3.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
MAPUTO (capital) 1.187 million; Matola 937,000 (2015)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
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
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 70.21 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 72.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 68.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
13total population: 52.94 years
male: 52.18 years
female: 53.72 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2145.21 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1211.6% (2011)
6.8% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
990.04 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)
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.)
improved:
urban: 42.4% of population
rural: 10.1% of population
total: 20.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 57.6% of population
rural: 89.9% of population
total: 79.5% of population (2015 est.)
10.58% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
81.543 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
544,900 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
5degree 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
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
4.5% (2014)
country comparison to the world:
15815.6% (2011)
country comparison to the world:
445% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world:
78definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 58.8%
male: 73.3%
female: 45.4% (2015 est.)
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2013)
total number: 1,369,080
percentage: 22% (2008 est.)
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Government :: MOZAMBIQUE
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conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form: Mozambique
local long form: Republica de Mocambique
local short form: Mocambique
former: Portuguese East Africa
republic
name: Maputo
geographic coordinates: 25 57 S, 32 35 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
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)
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
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Filipe Jacinto NYUSI (since 15 January 2015)
head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho DO ROSARIO (since 17 January 2015); Alberto Clementino Antonio VAQUINA removed from office 9 January 2015
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
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
election results: Filipe NYUSI elected president; percent of vote - Filipe NYUSI (FRELIMO) 57.0%, Afonso DHLAKAMA (RENAMO) 36.6%, Daviz SIMANGO (MDM) 6.4%
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)
elections: last held on 15 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019)
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
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
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]
Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]
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
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eduardo Candido Albino ZAQUEU (since 18 July 2015)
chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146
FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas M. GRIFFITHS (since 6 July 2012)
embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo
mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone: [258] (21) 492797
FAX: [258] (21) 490114
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 colors: green, black, yellow, white, red
name: "Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown
note: adopted 2002
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Economy :: MOZAMBIQUE
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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.
$31.1 billion (2014 est.)
$28.96 billion (2013 est.)
$26.96 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
127$16.68 billion (2014 est.)
7.4% (2014 est.)
7.4% (2013 est.)
7.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
10$1,200 (2014 est.)
$1,100 (2013 est.)
$1,000 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
22212.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
15.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
14.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
170household consumption: 74.2%
government consumption: 17.9%
investment in fixed capital: 50.3%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 31.8%
imports of goods and services: -74.3%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 28.9%
industry: 24%
services: 47.1% (2014 est.)
cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (manioc, tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry
aluminum, petroleum products, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, food, beverages
9% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1712.25 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
44agriculture: 81%
industry: 6%
services: 13% (1997 est.)
17% (2007 est.)
21% (1997 est.)
country comparison to the world:
15452% (2009 est.)
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 36.7% (2008)
45.6 (2008)
47.3 (2002)
country comparison to the world:
36revenues: $5.324 billion
expenditures: $6.967 billion (2014 est.)
32.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
80-9.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
20247.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
41.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
77calendar year
2.3% (2014 est.)
4.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1069.5% (17 January 2013)
3.25% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world:
2415.3% (31 December 2014 est.)
15.33% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
36$5.267 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$4.851 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
97$7.777 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$7.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
114$4.982 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$4.573 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
123$NA
-$5.797 billion (2014 est.)
-$5.892 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
174$4.345 billion (2014 est.)
$4.123 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
118aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity
China 28.8%, South Africa 20%, Italy 7.7%, Belgium 5.9%, India 5.7%, Spain 5.2% (2014)
$8.954 billion (2014 est.)
$8.48 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
109machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles
South Africa 26.5%, China 17.4%, India 16.6% (2014)
$3.334 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$3.142 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
107$7.521 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$6.416 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
112meticais (MZM) per US dollar -
31.2 (2014 est.)
30.125 (2013 est.)
28.38 (2012 est.)
29.075 (2011 est.)
33.96 (2010 est.)
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Energy :: MOZAMBIQUE
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15.01 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
8411.28 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
879.791 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
228.304 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
262.436 million kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
9910.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1950% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
14789.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
130% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2070 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1190 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1590 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1000 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1690 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
11117,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1240 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
10717,560 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1154.309 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
53191 million cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
954.118 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
350 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1032.832 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
144.789 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
129
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Communications :: MOZAMBIQUE
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total subscriptions: 68,800
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
151total: 18.4 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 75 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
59general 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 35 per 100 persons
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)
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)
AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)
4 (2008)
.mz
total: 1.4 million
percent of population: 5.5% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
111
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Transportation :: MOZAMBIQUE
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98 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
57total: 21
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 4 (2013)
total: 77
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 29
under 914 m:
38 (2013)
gas 972 km; refined products 278 km (2013)
total: 4,787 km
narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world:
38total: 30,331 km
paved: 6,303 km
unpaved: 24,028 km (2009)
country comparison to the world:
96460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010)
country comparison to the world:
85total: 2
by type: cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2010)
country comparison to the world:
144major seaport(s): Beira, Maputo, Nacala
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Military :: MOZAMBIQUE
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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)
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)
males age 16-49: 4,613,367 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 2,677,473
females age 16-49: 2,941,073 (2010 est.)
male: 274,602
female: 280,008 (2010 est.)
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Transnational Issues :: MOZAMBIQUE
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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
IDPs: 61,102 (2015 floods) (2015)
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