In 2023, 62 percent of the population in Mozambique lived in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 1.90 U.S. dollars a day. That corresponded to roughly 21 million people in absolute numbers. By 2025, the extreme poverty rate is projected to decrease to 57 percent.

As of 2021, around 19.5 million people in Mozambique lived in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 1.90 U.S. dollars a day. Some 500 thousand people more were pushed into poverty in comparison to 2020. The headcount was, however, forecast to decrease in the coming years. By 2025, around 17 million Mozambicans are projected to live on a maximum of 1.90 U.S. dollars per day.

Mozambique poverty rate for 2019 was 96.10%, a 2.5% increase from 2014.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Mozambique poverty rate for 2014 was <strong>93.60%</strong>, a <strong>3.4% decline</strong> from 2008.</li>
<li>Mozambique poverty rate for 2008 was <strong>97.00%</strong>, a <strong>0.5% decline</strong> from 2002.</li>
<li>Mozambique poverty rate for 2002 was <strong>97.50%</strong>, a <strong>0.3% increase</strong> from 1996.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Mozambique sub-national aggregates, % of population under sever poverty conditions (K > 50%). https://ophi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/indicators.png" alt="Indicators"> For more, visit ophi.org.uk

MZ: Proportion of Population Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 0.229 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.690 % for 2002. MZ: Proportion of Population Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.459 % from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2008, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.690 % in 2002 and a record low of 0.229 % in 2008. MZ: Proportion of Population Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mozambique – Table MZ.World Bank: Poverty. Proportion of population pushed below the $1.90 ($ 2011 PPP) poverty line by out-of-pocket health care expenditure, expressed as a percentage of a total population of a country; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on Impoverishing Health Spending: Results for 122 Countries. A Retrospective Observational Study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Weighted Average;

MZ: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data was reported at 19.100 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 19.700 % for 2002. MZ: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data is updated yearly, averaging 19.700 % from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.700 % in 1996 and a record low of 19.100 % in 2008. MZ: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mozambique – Table MZ.World Bank: Poverty. Urban poverty gap at national poverty lines is the urban population's mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

In 2025, nearly 11.7 percent of the world population in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day, lived in Nigeria. Moreover, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for around 11.7 percent of the global population in extreme poverty. Other African nations with a large poor population were Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Poverty levels remain high despite the forecast decline Poverty is a widespread issue across Africa. Around 429 million people on the continent were living below the extreme poverty line of 2.15 U.S. dollars a day in 2024. Since the continent had approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants, roughly a third of Africa’s population was in extreme poverty that year. Mozambique, Malawi, Central African Republic, and Niger had Africa’s highest extreme poverty rates based on the 2.15 U.S. dollars per day extreme poverty indicator (updated from 1.90 U.S. dollars in September 2022). Although the levels of poverty on the continent are forecast to decrease in the coming years, Africa will remain the poorest region compared to the rest of the world. Prevalence of poverty and malnutrition across Africa Multiple factors are linked to increased poverty. Regions with critical situations of employment, education, health, nutrition, war, and conflict usually have larger poor populations. Consequently, poverty tends to be more prevalent in least-developed and developing countries worldwide. For similar reasons, rural households also face higher poverty levels. In 2024, the extreme poverty rate in Africa stood at around 45 percent among the rural population, compared to seven percent in urban areas. Together with poverty, malnutrition is also widespread in Africa. Limited access to food leads to low health conditions, increasing the poverty risk. At the same time, poverty can determine inadequate nutrition. Almost 38.3 percent of the global undernourished population lived in Africa in 2022.

Considering the latest available data, Mozambique had the highest share of the population living in extreme poverty among the selected African countries, corresponding to around 74.4 percent in 2019. Malawi, Central African Republic, Niger, and Tanzania followed with approximately 70.1, 65.7, 50.6, and 44.9 percent between 2018 and 2021, respectively. The extreme poverty line was set at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day, taking into consideration Purchasing Power Parities (PPP).

MZ: Increase in Poverty Gap at $1.90: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: USD data was reported at 0.005 USD in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.010 USD for 2002. MZ: Increase in Poverty Gap at $1.90: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: USD data is updated yearly, averaging 0.007 USD from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2008, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.010 USD in 2002 and a record low of 0.005 USD in 2008. MZ: Increase in Poverty Gap at $1.90: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: USD data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mozambique – Table MZ.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Increase in poverty gap at $1.90 ($ 2011 PPP) poverty line due to out-of-pocket health care expenditure, expressed in US dollars (2011 PPP); ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on Impoverishing Health Spending: Results for 122 Countries. A Retrospective Observational Study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Weighted average;

In 2025, over 24.6 million people in Mozambique lived in extreme poverty (with less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day), the highest number within Southern Africa. The country also scored the highest share of its overall population living below the poverty line in the region. On the other hand, Botswana had the lowest number of just over 322,400 people living in impoverished conditions, accounting for 13 percent of the overall population.

Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: % of total population data was reported at 53.000 % in 2014. Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 53.000 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2014, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53.000 % in 2014 and a record low of 53.000 % in 2014. Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: % of total population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mozambique – Table MZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

Mozambique has staged a dramatic recovery from the damage of the civil war, improving infrastructure nearly to pre-war levels; reducing poverty from 69 to 54 percent; growing the economy by 8 percent annually between 1996 and 2003; expanding the agricultural, tourism construction and manufacturing sectors; and attracting mega-projects in aluminum smelting, natural gas, and titanium mining, and this tripling exports. Another factor which was a precondition for all of the above is the fact that the country was successful in bringing about reconciliation, ending the civil war, and in managing potential conflicts since that time. Mozambique has just had its third general and presidential election. Nevertheless the country remains poor, infrastructure is inadequate, there are serious unmet education and health needs, and poverty rates remain high. This Memorandum examines the growth-poverty linkage, using a wide variety of data sources, including the recently completed national household survey (2002/3). It has sought to understand the sources of growth in the recent past, to evaluate the prospects for growth in the next decade, to examine the likely implications for poverty, and to outline the policies that will be needed to achieve further growth and poverty reduction. The Country Economic Memorandum also examines the relevance of natural resource management to growth and poverty objectives.

In 2023, the international poverty (based on 2017 purchasing power parities (PPPs)) and the lower-income poverty rate (3.65 U.S. dollars in 2017 PPP), was highest for Mozambique within the Southern Africa region, with 74.7 percent and 88.7 percent, respectively. However, the upper middle-income poverty rate was highest for Zambia, at 93 percent.

In 2025, 70 percent of the population in Mozambique lived in extreme poverty (with less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day), the highest score recorded in the Southern African region. Conversely, Botswana registered the lowest share, with 13 percent of its population living in destitute conditions.

Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data was reported at 0.310 NA in 2014. Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.310 NA from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2014, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.310 NA in 2014 and a record low of 0.310 NA in 2014. Mozambique MZ: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mozambique – Table MZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

The Mozambique Population-Based Survey (PBS) provides a comprehensive assessment of the current status of agriculture and food security in two provinces, Zambizia and Nampula. These areas were selected based on national estimates that indicate that the incidence of poverty, malnutrition, and stunting among children less than five years of age is disproportionately high. These provinces are adjacent to three of the country's main trade corridors: Nacala (linking Mozambique to Malawi and Zambia), Beira (linking Mozambique to Zimbabwe), and the N1 (key North-South road connecting Nacala and Beira corridors). The PBS was conducted in 2013 with a focus on Household Hunger; Women's Dietary Diversity; Children's Minimum Acceptable Diet;WEAI (Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index);and Household Expenditure in the two provinces.

Abstract

The World Bank Group is interested in gauging the views of clients and partners who are either involved in development in Mozambique or who observe activities related to social and economic development. The following survey will give the World Bank Group's team that works in Mozambique, greater insight into how the Bank's work is perceived. This is one tool the World Bank Group uses to assess the views of its stakeholders, and to develop more effective strategies that support development in Mozambique. A local independent firm has been hired to oversee the logistics of this survey.

This survey was designed to achieve the following objectives: - Assist the World Bank Group in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Mozambique perceive the Bank Group; - Obtain systematic feedback from stakeholders in Mozambique regarding: · Their views regarding the general environment in Mozambique; · Their overall attitudes toward the World Bank Group in Mozambique; · Overall impressions of the World Bank Group's effectiveness and results, knowledge work and activities, and communication and information sharing in Mozambique; · Perceptions of the World Bank Group's future role in Mozambique. - Use data to help inform Mozambique country team's strategy.

Geographic coverage

South, North, Centre

Analysis unit

Stakeholders in Mozambique

Universe

Stakeholders in Mozambique

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

In July 2014, 304 stakeholders of the WBG in Mozambique were invited to provide their opinions on the WBG's work in the country by participating in a country opinion survey. Participants were drawn from the office of the President, Prime Minster; office of a minister; office of a parliamentarian; ministries/ministerial departments; consultants/contractors working on WBG-supported projects/programs; PMUs; local governments; bilateral and multilateral agencies; private sector organizations; private foundations; the financial sector/private banks; NGOs; community based organizations; the media; independent government institutions; trade unions; faith-based groups; academia/research institutes/think tanks; judiciary branch; and other organizations.

Mode of data collection

Other [oth]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire consists of following sections:

A. General Issues Facing Mozambique: Respondents were asked to indicate whether Mozambique is headed in the right direction, what they thought were the most important development priorities, which areas would contribute most to reducing poverty and generating economic growth, and how "shared prosperity" would be best achieved.

B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (WBG): Respondents were asked to rate their familiarity with the WBG, its effectiveness in Mozambique, WBG staff preparedness to help Mozambique solve its development challenges, WBG's local presence, WBG's capacity building in Mozambique, their agreement with various statements regarding the WBG's work, and the extent to which the WBG is an effective development partner. Respondents were asked to indicate the WBG's greatest values and weaknesses, the most effective instruments in helping reduce poverty in Mozambique, and in which sectoral areas the WBG should focus most of its resources (financial and knowledge services).

C. World Bank Group's Effectiveness and Results: Respondents were asked to rate the extent to which the WBG's work helps achieve development results in Mozambique, the extent to which the WBG meets Mozambique's needs for knowledge services and financial instruments, the extent the WBG helps build existing country systems, the importance for the WBG to be involved in twenty nine development areas, and the WBG's level of effectiveness across these areas, such as transport, education, security and stabilization, poverty reduction, and economic growth.

D. The World Bank Group's Knowledge Work and Activities: Respondents were asked how often they use the WBG's knowledge work, and were asked to rate the effectiveness and quality of the WBG's knowledge work and activities, including how significant of a contribution it makes to development results and its technical quality.

E. Working with the World Bank Group: Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a series of statements regarding working with the WBG, such as the WBG's "Safeguard Policy" requirements being reasonable, and disbursing funds promptly. The respondents were also asked whether they think the organization is risk-averse and to rate the extent to which the WBG is adequately staffed locally and the contribution of the WBG's technical assistance to solving Mozambique's development challenges.

F. The Future Role of the World Bank Group in Mozambique: Respondents were asked to indicate what the WBG should do to make itself of greater value in Mozambique and which services the WBG should offer more of in the country. They were asked what areas the country would benefit most from the WBG playing a leading role and what areas it would benefit most from other donors.

G. Communication and Information Sharing: Respondents were asked to indicate how they get information about economic and social development issues, how they prefer to receive information from the WBG, and their usage and evaluation of the WBG's websites. Respondents were also asked about their awareness of the WBG's Access to Information policy, were asked to rate WBG's responsiveness to information requests, value of its social media channels, levels of easiness to find information they needed, the levels of easiness to navigate the WBG websites, and whether they use WBG data more often than before.

H. Background Information: Respondents were asked to indicate their current position, specialization, whether they professionally collaborate with the WBG, their exposure to the WBG in Mozambique, which WBG agencies they work with, and their geographic locations.

Response rate

A total of 180 stakeholders participated in the survey (59% response rate).

All the 20 countries with the highest poverty rates in the world are located in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique were the two countries with the highest share of people living on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day when adjusting for 2017 Purchasing Power Parities (PPP), both at over 70 percent.

As of November 2021, 9.4 million people in Mozambique lacked sufficient food for consumption. The number of food-insecure inhabitants decreased by 12 percent compared to the previous month, when it reached 10.7 million people. Overall, the current prevalence of food insecurity in Mozambique was measured at 32 percent of the population.

Mozambique: Poverty ratio, percent living on less than 5.50 USD a day: Pour cet indicateur, La Banque mondiale fournit des données pour la Mozambique de 1996 à 2019. La valeur moyenne pour Mozambique pendant cette période était de 96.28 pour cent avec un minimum de 93.6 pour cent en 2014 et un maximum de 97.5 pour cent en 2002.