Quick facts
Mozambique population overview
Mozambique is the 13th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 36,130,280 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 2,760 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,304,303 births (36.1 per 1,000 people) and 242,073 deaths (6.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 54,195 people. The infant mortality rate is 47 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 6,713,695 in 1960 to 35,631,653 in 2025 — a change of +430.7%, or +2.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 16.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 64.1 years; women have on average 4.7 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 44.2% of residents are under 15 and 2.7% are 65 or older (2025); 37.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Maputo. Mozambique covers 799,380 km², giving a population density of about 46.2 people per km². GDP was $22.34B in 2025 — about $627 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Mozambique population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 36,934,161 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 36,130,280 |
| World rank | #45 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #13 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.4% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.8% |
| Births per year est. | 1,304,303 |
| Deaths per year est. | 242,073 |
| Net migration per year est. | -54,195 |
| Birth rate | 36.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 47 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 16.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 64.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 37.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 799,380 km² |
| Population density | 46.2 per km² |
| Capital | Maputo |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $22.34B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $627 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Mozambique population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 36,934,161 | – | – |
| 2025 | 35,631,653 | +999,887 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 34,631,766 | +996,606 | +3% |
| 2023 | 33,635,160 | +978,914 | +3% |
| 2022 | 32,656,246 | +948,446 | +3% |
| 2021 | 31,707,800 | +924,112 | +3% |
| 2020 | 30,783,688 | +4,236,116 | +3% |
| 2015 | 26,547,572 | +3,548,337 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 22,999,235 | +2,694,666 | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 20,304,569 | +2,174,916 | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 18,129,653 | +2,169,123 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 15,960,530 | +2,865,993 | +4% |
| 1990 | 13,094,537 | +545,588 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 12,548,949 | +1,212,728 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 11,336,221 | +1,795,404 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 9,540,817 | +1,290,311 | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 8,250,506 | +844,085 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 7,406,421 | +692,726 | +2% |
| 1960 | 6,713,695 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Mozambique
Population over time
- From 6,713,695 in 1960 to 36,934,161 today — up 450.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 63.8 years (2024), up 22.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.7 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 37 births vs 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 30.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 44.2% of the population is under 15 and 2.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.1% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 10.11 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 10.9 Mt in 2022 — down 7.2% since.
- Per person: 0.29 t in 2024, vs 0.38 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 362.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 18.2% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 76.9% of final energy in 2021 (-16.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 45.8% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 55.2% to 45.8% since 1990 — roughly 74,731 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 37.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 3.6% in 1960 (+33.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,071 m³ in 2022, down 79.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $22.34B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 37.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $627 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 20.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 49.5 per 100 people (2024).
Mozambique in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mozambique in 2026?
As of October 2026, Mozambique has an estimated population of 36,934,161. The United Nations estimated 36,130,280 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Mozambique growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.8% per year — roughly 2,760 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,304,303 births and 242,073 deaths, with net migration of -54,195.
What is the population density of Mozambique?
About 46.2 people per square kilometre: 36,934,161 people living on 799,380 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Mozambique?
The median age is 16.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 64.1 years. 44.2% of the population is under 15 and 2.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Mozambique rank by population?
Mozambique is the 45th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 13th in Africa, with 0.4% of the global population.
How has the population of Mozambique changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 6,713,695; by 2025 it had grown to 35,631,653 (+430.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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UzbekistanSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.