If you lived in Mozambique instead of South Africa, you would:

Health

be 39.8% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In South Africa, 19.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Mozambique, that number is 11.5% of people as of 2020.

be 74.6% less likely to be obese

In South Africa, 28.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Mozambique, that number is 7.2% of people as of 2016.

live 8.2 years less

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Mozambique, that number is 57 years (56 years for men, 58 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

be 87.4% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Mozambique, that number is 3.5% as of 2023.

pay a 28.9% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Mozambique, the top tax rate is 32.0% as of 2016.

make 89.5% less money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Mozambique, the GDP per capita is $1,500 as of 2023.

be 2.8 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Mozambique, however, that number is 46.1% as of 2015.

Life

have 2.1 times more children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Mozambique, there are 36.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 33.3% less likely to be literate

In South Africa, the literacy rate is 95.0% as of 2019. In Mozambique, it is 63.4% as of 2021.

be 2.4 times more likely to die during infancy

In South Africa, approximately 25.9 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Mozambique, on the other hand, 61.4 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 61.6% less likely to have access to electricity

In South Africa, approximately 86% of people have electricity access (87% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Mozambique, that number is 33% of people on average (77% in urban areas, and 4% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 76.4% less likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Mozambique, about 17.0% do as of 2021.

be 24.2% less likely to have access to improved drinking water

In South Africa, approximately 97% of people have improved drinking water access (100% in urban areas, and 90% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Mozambique, that number is 73% of people on average (93% in urban areas, and 62% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 11.6% less on healthcare

South Africa spends 8.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Mozambique, that number is 7.6% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 11.7% less coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Mozambique, that number is 2,470 km.


The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service, Autoridade Tributária de Moçambique.

Mozambique: At a glance

Mozambique is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 786,380 sq km. 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. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between Frelimo and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. President GUEBUZA was reelected to a second term in October 2009. However, the elections were flawed by voter fraud, questionable disqualification of candidates, and Frelimo use of government resources during the campaign. As a result, Freedom House removed Mozambique from its list of electoral democracies.
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How big is Mozambique compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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