Mozambique Country Profile

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mozambique

Mozambique is viewed by many as one of the successes in southern Africa despite being badly affected by conflict in the latter half of the 20th century. After a liberation war and independence there followed a civil war that ended in 1992.

Strong economic growth rates have been a feature of Mozambique’s economy since then, although how much the poor are really benefiting from this is questioned. Millions of Mozambicans remain in poverty and the country is the second poorest in the region. Mozambique has much potential, but is currently still dependent on international donors for significant amount of its budget.

Rural Mozambique

The Facts

Capital: Maputo
Major religions: Christianity, traditional beliefs, Islam
Main Languages: Portuguese, Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili
Key exports: Seafood, cotton, aluminium, sugar
Government: Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO)
President: Armando Guebuza
Most recent Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2009/2009
Next scheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2014/2014

The Figures

HIV prevalence: 12.5% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)
Adult literacy rate: 44% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)
GDP per capita: US$929 (UK: US$34,340)
Life expectancy at birth: 48 years (UK: 80 years)
Under-five mortality rate: 130 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)
2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 169 countries): 165

For information on Mozambique's history, politics, economy and more, view ACTSA's full Mozambique Country Profile.

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Mozambique Profile