The richest 10% of the Mozambican population make up 43% of total household spending in the country, mainly in the capital area, according to the latest survey by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The study also shows that each Mozambican spends, on average, less than one euro per day.

"The poorest 10% hold only 0.8% of total spending and the richest 10% about 43.1%," reads the final report of the 2019/20 Household Budget Survey, consulted this Monday by Lusa.

According to the study, in the cities, approximately twice as much is spent as in rural areas, reads the document.

Likewise, "the average monthly expenses of Maputo and Maputo Cidade provinces are twice the national average" - being even the only ones to exceed the average.

"Households had, on average, a monthly expenditure of 8,108 meticais, equivalent to 1,695 meticais per person," per day.

In the last survey, in 2014/15, the average monthly per capita expenditure was lower at 1,406 meticais.

However, INE notes that if the cost of living increase is taken into account, the 2019/20 figure is 1,170 meticais, meaning that spending has effectively contracted by 16.8%.

In Cabo Delgado, a province hit by an armed insurgency, spending fell by 37%, in Maputo by 38%, and in Gaza, an area hit by drought and cyclones, the retreat was 42%.

The data collected includes expenditures on food, beverages, tobacco, transport, cell phone recharges, and the purchase of other products that are frequently consumed and purchased daily by most households in small quantities. 

They also include purchases of clothing and other personal items, housing, fuel, recreation, appliances and furniture, health, and education.

Lusa Agency