Mozambique statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
As Africa’s development trajectory draws increasing scrutiny from investors, policymakers, and multilateral institutions in 2026, Mozambique occupies a pivotal position on the continent. Straddling the southeastern coast and endowed with vast natural gas reserves, fertile agricultural land, and a young population, the country’s statistical profile reveals both extraordinary potential and persistent structural challenges. Understanding Mozambique’s data is essential for anyone tracking East African growth corridors, energy transitions, and frontier market dynamics.
Population and demographics
Mozambique’s population is estimated at approximately 34 to 35 million people as of 2025, making it one of the more populous nations in southern Africa. The United Nations projects a growth rate of roughly 2.8 to 3 percent per year, placing sustained pressure on public services, infrastructure, and labour markets. The median age sits at approximately 17 to 18 years, reflecting one of the youngest demographic profiles on the continent — a double-edged statistic that signals a future dividend if human capital investment keeps pace, but a near-term burden if youth unemployment remains elevated. Urbanisation is advancing steadily, with World Bank estimates suggesting that around 38 to 40 percent of the population now lives in urban areas, concentrated primarily in Maputo, Matola, Beira, and Nampula. Internal displacement driven by cyclone activity in the centre and north, as well as ongoing insurgency pressures in Cabo Delgado province, continues to complicate demographic planning and service delivery across regions.
Economic indicators
Mozambique’s GDP is estimated at roughly 18 to 20 billion USD in current prices for 2024, according to World Bank and IMF reference data, with GDP per capita hovering in the range of approximately 500 to 600 USD — positioning the country among the lower-income economies globally. GDP growth has been uneven: the economy expanded at an estimated 5 to 6 percent in 2024, buoyed by natural gas project activity and recovering agricultural output, though growth projections remain sensitive to commodity price volatility and security conditions in the north. Inflation has been a persistent concern; consumer price inflation ran at roughly 5 to 7 percent through much of 2024, shaped by food price pressures, fuel costs, and currency dynamics. The Mozambican metical (MZN) has faced periodic depreciation against major trading currencies. Unemployment, particularly among youth, is structurally high, though the informal economy absorbs a large share of the working-age population, making formal unemployment figures — often cited in the range of 25 percent or higher — difficult to interpret in isolation. Public debt-to-GDP remains elevated, with IMF assessments placing it at approximately 95 to 100 percent of GDP, a legacy of the 2016 hidden debt crisis that continues to constrain fiscal space and donor relationships.
Trade and external accounts
Mozambique’s export base is relatively narrow and heavily resource-dependent. Aluminium — processed through the Mozal smelter near Maputo — consistently ranks as the country’s leading export by value, alongside coal from the Tete province, natural gas, and agricultural commodities including cashew nuts, sesame, and tobacco. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the Coral Sul floating facility have added a significant new revenue stream since 2022, though the broader Rovuma Basin development remains constrained by security disruptions. On the import side, the country relies heavily on machinery, fuel, vehicles, and food products. South Africa is by far the dominant trading partner, functioning as both a major source of imports and a transit corridor for landlocked neighbours. India, China, the Netherlands, and Portugal also feature prominently in Mozambique’s trade relationships. The current account deficit has historically been wide — industry reports suggest it has ranged between 20 and 40 percent of GDP in recent years — reflecting the capital-intensive nature of extractive investments and the country’s structural import dependency.
Key sectors
Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, employing an estimated 70 to 75 percent of the workforce, though its contribution to formal GDP is considerably lower — roughly 25 to 30 percent — reflecting subsistence-dominated production systems. Key crops include maize, cassava, sorghum, and a range of export-oriented cash crops. The extractive industry sector, encompassing coal mining in Tete and natural gas development in Cabo Delgado, has attracted the largest share of foreign direct investment over the past decade and is central to long-term fiscal projections. The services sector — including retail, transport, and financial services — accounts for approximately 40 to 45 percent of GDP and is the fastest-growing segment in urban centres. Tourism, historically centred on coastal destinations such as the Bazaruto Archipelago and Pemba, has been recovering gradually from pandemic-era disruptions and security-related deterrents, though it remains a relatively modest contributor to GDP compared to its potential. Infrastructure development, particularly port and rail corridors linking landlocked neighbours to Mozambican coastlines, represents a strategically important industry segment with significant regional multiplier effects.
Telecommunications and digital
Mozambique’s digital economy is at an early but accelerating stage of development. Mobile penetration is estimated at approximately 50 to 60 percent of the population, with the subscriber base driven primarily by Vodacom Mozambique and Movitel, alongside Tmcel, the state-affiliated operator. Internet penetration remains low by regional standards — ITU and industry estimates suggest active internet users represent roughly 20 to 25 percent of the population — with access heavily skewed toward urban areas and constrained by infrastructure gaps, affordability barriers, and energy access limitations in rural zones. Mobile money has emerged as a critical financial inclusion tool: services such as M-Pesa (operated by Vodacom) and M-Kesh have expanded access to basic financial transactions for populations largely excluded from formal banking. The government’s digital economy agenda, supported by development partners, targets expanded fibre backbone connectivity and e-government service delivery, though implementation timelines have been affected by fiscal constraints and the broader security situation in the north.
Sources and methodology
The statistics and estimates presented in this dashboard draw on a range of authoritative sources consulted for the 2024–2025 reference period. Primary sources include the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and country data portal, IMF Article IV consultation reports and World Economic Outlook databases, the United Nations Population Division’s demographic projections, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for digital and connectivity indicators. Trade data references the International Trade Centre (ITC) and UN Comtrade. National-level data is cross-referenced where available against publications from the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) of Mozambique and the Banco de Moçambique. African Union economic outlook reports and African Development Bank country assessments provide additional regional context. Where precise figures could not be verified with confidence, this article uses qualifying language — including “approximately,” “roughly,” and “estimates suggest” — to reflect appropriate analytical caution. Readers requiring precise, citable figures for research or investment purposes are advised to consult the primary sources directly.
For a deeper qualitative analysis of Mozambique’s political economy, investment climate, and strategic outlook, visit our Mozambique expert briefing. To benchmark Mozambique against other African nations, explore our all African country statistics hub. For broader context on growth, trade, and structural transformation across the continent, see our African economy pillar.
