World Happiness Report for Mozambique 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Mozambique: 90
- Happiness Score Mozambique:5.216
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Mozambique. MZ.
Mozambique is a country located in Southeast Africa.
- It has a multi-party political system with a President as the head of state and government.
- Mozambique has a diverse culture with influences from Africa, Portugal, and indigenous tribes.
- Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, mining, and tourism.
Overview of Mozambique
Early History: Mozambique’s early history is marked by the settlement of Bantu-speaking communities. In the first millennium AD, complex urban communities emerged, including the coastal city-states of Sofala and Angoche, which were important trading centers for the wider Indian Ocean world.
Kingdoms and Empires: The interior of modern-day Mozambique was home to powerful pre-colonial kingdoms, such as the Gaza Empire and the Mutapa Empire, both of which exerted significant influence in the region.
Colonial Period: Portuguese explorers reached the Mozambican coast in the late 15th century, establishing trading posts and eventually colonial rule. Mozambique became a Portuguese colony in 1505, with the capital later established on the island of Mozambique. The colonial period was marked by the brutal exploitation of local populations and natural resources.
Independence and Modern Era: After a prolonged struggle for independence, Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The country then descended into a civil war that lasted from 1977 to 1992, pitting the ruling Marxist FRELIMO party against the rebel group RENAMO. Since the end of the civil war, Mozambique has made significant strides in rebuilding its economy and infrastructure.
Current Political Situation: Mozambique is a multi-party democracy with a presidential system of government. The current president is Filipe Nyusi, who was elected in 2015. While the country has made progress in consolidating democracy, there are ongoing concerns about corruption, human rights, and political tensions.
International Relations: Mozambique has close ties with its regional neighbors and is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). The country has also developed economic partnerships with countries like China and India.
Human Development and Economy: Mozambique has experienced steady economic growth in recent years, driven by sectors like agriculture, mining, and energy. However, the country still faces significant development challenges, with high levels of poverty, inequality, and limited access to basic services.
Cultural Highlights: Mozambique is a culturally diverse nation, with influences from indigenous African, Portuguese, and other cultures. Major religions include Christianity, Islam, and traditional African beliefs. The country is known for its vibrant music, dance, and artistic traditions.
Mozambique faces ongoing challenges related to poverty, infrastructure development, and economic diversification. However, with its natural resources, strategic location, and growing regional integration, the country has significant opportunities for continued progress and development.
Travel Tips for Mozambique
Best times to visit: May to October (dry season) for coastal areas, April to October for national parks. Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in rural areas. Safety precautions: Avoid isolated areas and travel at night, hire a guide for remote areas, and follow local news/advice. Must-see landmarks: Ilha de Moçambique (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bazaruto Archipelago, Quirimbas Archipelago. Culinary experiences: Fresh seafood, Matapa (peanut-based stew), Piri-piri (spicy sauce).
Living in Mozambique
Cost of living: Relatively low, but varies significantly between cities and rural areas. Housing options range from modern apartments to traditional compounds. Healthcare: Public healthcare is limited, private facilities available but costly. Education: Public education is fee-based, with limited resources. International schools in major cities. Cultural norms: Respect elders, greet with a handshake, remove shoes when entering homes. Expat communities in major cities. Residency permits required.
Doing Business in Mozambique
Business culture values personal relationships, patience, and indirectness in communication. Key industries include agriculture, mining, tourism, and energy. Economic climate improving but challenges remain, such as infrastructure, corruption, and regulatory uncertainty. Establish local connections and navigating bureaucracy crucial. Negotiations often slow-paced. Legal frameworks improving but enforcement can be inconsistent.
Main facts
1. Location
Mozambique is a southern African country located on the eastern coast of the continent. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, South Africa and Swaziland to the southwest, and the Indian Ocean to the east.
2. Map References
Mozambique is located in the southeastern part of the African continent.
3. Area – Comparative
Mozambique has an area of approximately 801,590 square kilometers, making it slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of California.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Total land boundaries: 4,571 km
Border countries:
– Malawi 1,569 km
– South Africa 491 km
– Swaziland 105 km
– Tanzania 756 km
– Zambia 419 km
– Zimbabwe 1,231 km
5. Coastline
Mozambique has a coastline of 2,470 km along the Indian Ocean, featuring various bays, inlets, and coastal islands.
6. Maritime Claims
Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin
7. Climate
Mozambique has a tropical to subtropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a warm, rainy season from October to March, and a cooler, dry season from April to September. The northern regions are generally warmer and more humid, while the southern regions are drier and cooler.
8. Terrain
Mozambique’s terrain is diverse, featuring coastal lowlands, uplands, mountains, and plateaus. Major features include the Mashonaland Plateau in the west, the Lebombo Mountains in the southwest, and the Mozambique Plain along the coast.
9. Elevation Extremes
Highest point: Monte Binga, 2,436 meters
Lowest point: Indian Ocean, 0 meters
10. Natural Resources
Mozambique’s natural resources include coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalite, and graphite.
11. Major Bodies of Water
Major rivers in Mozambique include the Zambezi, Limpopo, Save, and Rovuma. Significant lakes include Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania), Lake Niassa (shared with Malawi), and Lake Cahora Bassa (an artificial lake formed by the Cahora Bassa Dam on the Zambezi River).
12. Natural Hazards
Mozambique is prone to severe droughts, floods (due to its low-lying coastal areas), and cyclones.
13. Geography – Notes
Mozambique’s coastline and location along the Indian Ocean have historically been strategically important for maritime trade. The country’s diverse ecosystems, including savannas, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs, support rich biodiversity. However, environmental challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution pose threats to these natural resources.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 48.00%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 7,943. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 63.50%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: -18.66569535.529562.
- Capital: The capital of Mozambique is Maputo
- Major Cities:
- Maputo – Population: 1,088,449
- Matola – Population: 705,610
- Beira – Population: 431,583
- Nampula – Population: 590,939
- Chimoio – Population: 293,542
- Population: 30,366,036
- Area(Km2): 799380
- Population Density( P/Km²):40. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:258
- Official Language(s):Mozambique is Portuguese (official) – 50.4%.
- Currency: MZN
Main Economic Indicators
Mozambique has a rapidly growing but low-income economy driven primarily by agriculture, extractive industries (aluminum, coal), and foreign aid. The country faces significant economic challenges, including widespread poverty, high unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare. Notable economic policies focus on promoting private investment, diversifying the economy, and improving infrastructure.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) for 2021: 6.7% (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) for 2020: 3.1% (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: B (Outlook: Stable)
Moody’s: Caa2 (Outlook: Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: N/A
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 23.8%
Industry: 22.1%
Services: 54.1%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, cassava, corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus fruits, vegetables
Industrial Products: Aluminum, coal, natural gas, electricity, petroleum products, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco, sugar
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 14.02 million (2021 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 39th largest labor force globally
Current Account Balance
Current Account Balance for 2021: -$2.81 billion (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Current Account Balance for 2020: -$2.13 billion (Source: International Monetary Fund)
Comparative Ranking: 156th largest current account deficit globally (2021 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $5.85 billion (2021 est.)
Key Export Partners: India, Netherlands, South Africa, China, United Arab Emirates
Main Exports: Aluminum, coal, natural gas, electricity, tobacco, sugar
Imports: $8.42 billion (2021 est.)
Key Import Partners: South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, India, Portugal
Main Imports: Machinery and equipment, vehicles, mineral fuels, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $3.52 billion (2021 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$14,934,159,926. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 0.00%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 36.10%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.65. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.27. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 3.24%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Noun: Mozambican(s)
Adjective: Mozambican
2. Ethnic Groups
Major ethnic groups:
– Makhuwa 47%
– Tsonga 23.5%
– Malawi 11.3%
– Shona 7.8%
– Other ethnic groups 10.4%
3. Religions
Religious affiliations:
– Roman Catholic 28.4%
– Muslim 17.9%
– Zionist Christian 15.5%
– Protestant 12.2%
– Other Christian 7.5%
– Other religions 18.5%
4. Age Structure
Population distribution:
– 0-14 years: 44.12%
– 15-64 years: 52.47%
– 65 years and over: 3.41%
5. Dependency Ratios
Dependency ratios:
– Total dependency ratio: 90.9
– Youth dependency ratio: 85.7
– Elderly dependency ratio: 5.3
6. Median Age
Median age:
– Total: 17.9 years
– Male: 17.3 years
– Female: 18.5 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 7.2% of the adult population
Alcohol consumption: 2.6 liters of pure alcohol per capita annually
Tobacco use: 12.6% of adults aged 15 and over smoke tobacco
Life expectancy at birth: 60.6 years (58.5 years for males, 62.8 years for females)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 60.2. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 47.3%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:37.52. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:8. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 4.85. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 19.2%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 11,092,106. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):6.80%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique (Forças Armadas de Defesa de Moçambique, FADM) is comprised of the following branches:
- Army (Exército)
- Navy (Marinha de Guerra)
- Air Force (Força Aérea de Moçambique)
The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) is responsible for maintaining internal security.
Military Expenditures
Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 0.9%
- 2021: 0.9%
- 2020: 0.9%
- 2019: 0.9%
- 2018: 1.0%
Mozambique ranked 102nd globally in military spending in 2022.
Personnel Strengths
Total active-duty military personnel: 11,300
- Army: 8,300
- Navy: 700
- Air Force: 2,300
Other security services include the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) and the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR).
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Main military hardware includes:
- Ground forces: T-55 and T-34 tanks, BTR-60 and BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers
- Naval forces: 3 patrol craft, 4 coastal defense craft
- Air forces: MiG-21 fighters, Mi-24 attack helicopters, An-26 transport aircraft
Mozambique has announced plans to acquire new maritime patrol aircraft and offshore patrol vessels.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is voluntary, with recruitment beginning at 18 years of age.
Military Deployments
Mozambique has a small contingent deployed as part of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Strategic Military Notes
Mozambique’s defense strategy focuses on protecting its territorial integrity, particularly in the northern Cabo Delgado province, where it has been battling an Islamist insurgency since 2017. The FADM works closely with regional partners, including the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), to combat the threat.
Mozambique is also part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union, contributing troops to peacekeeping missions under their frameworks.
- Armed Forces Size: 11200. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.08
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 78.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.