Quick facts
Matola overview
Matola (orange) and the other large cities of Mozambique
Matola lies in Maputo Province in Mozambique at 25.96°S, 32.46°E, about 42 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Maputo (UTC+2); GeoNames classifies it as a regional capital.
It is smaller than Maputo (1,254,837) and larger than Nampula (770,379). The largest city in Mozambique is Maputo with 1,254,837 people; the capital, Maputo, has 1,254,837.
The national capital, Maputo, is about 12 km away; the nearest large city is Maputo, 12 km from Matola.
Mozambique as a whole has a live population of 36,937,142 (+2.8% a year) and ranks #45 of 238 countries — see the Mozambique population page for the full statistics and the Mozambique atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Matola
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| MaputoCapital Maputo City | 12 km | 1,254,837 |
| Manhiça Maputo Province | 71 km | 65,240 |
| Ressano Garcia Maputo Province | 74 km | 110,000 |
| Xai-Xai Gaza Province | 156 km | 154,356 |
| Chokwé Gaza Province | 167 km | 63,695 |
| Chibuto Gaza Province | 178 km | 73,393 |
Largest cities in Mozambique
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Matola?
Matola has about 1,198,988 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Matola the capital of Mozambique?
No. The capital of Mozambique is Maputo (1,254,837 people), about 12 km away. Matola is the 2nd largest city of the country and a regional capital.
How big is Matola compared with the rest of Mozambique?
Its 1,198,988 residents are 3.2% of the 36,937,142 people living in Mozambique today. Maputo is larger with 1,254,837 people.
Where is Matola?
In Maputo Province, Mozambique, at latitude -25.96 and longitude 32.46, 42 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Maputo (12 km), Manhiça (71 km), Ressano Garcia (74 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Matola Population 2026 — Mozambique. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/mozambique/matola/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/mozambique/matola/">Matola Population 2026 — Mozambique</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.