Country Profile: Republic of Mozambique

Introduction

World Factbook: "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."

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons: chart

Economic growth rate
2011: 7.2%
2010: 6.8%
2009: 6.3%

Labor force in agriculture
1997: 81%

Exports commodities
Aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity

Exports- partners
2009: Belgium 21.2%, Italy 13.9%, South Africa 9.5%, Spain 8%, China 6.4%

Export/import ratio
2011: exports $2.646 billion, imports $3.846 billion

Income Distribution – gini index
Ranks 38th among 140 countries (higher rank number is more equal, lower rank number is less equal). Less equal than Britain, which ranks 94th, and the US, which ranks 45th.

Health expenditures
2009: 5.7% of GDP

People

Living in an urban area:
2010: 38%
2008: 37%

Ethnic groups
African 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Religions
1997 census: Catholic 28.4%, Protestant 27.7% (Zionist Christian 15.5%, Evangelical Pentecostal 10.9%, Anglican 1.3%), Muslim 17.9%, other 7.2%, none 18.7%

Literacy, Age 15 and Older
2003: males 63.5%, females 32.7%

Geography

Southeastern Africa, between Tanzania and South Africa. Almost twice the size of California. Capital: Maputo

Government

Chief of state: Armando Guebuza (president) since 2 February 2005, Christian, Liberation Front (leftist). Head of government: Aires Ali (prime minister) since 16 January 2010, Liberation Front.

President elected for five-year term by popular vote. Prime minister is appointed by the president.

Unicameral Assembly has 250 seats with members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms.