Around 18 million Mozambicans, equivalent to 60%, live in poverty, according to data from the Human Development Report (2024-2025) launched today by the Minister of Planning and Development. Out of 193 countries, Mozambique is ranked 182nd.

"Mozambique remains in the low human development bracket, with a Human Development Index [HDI] of 0.493, ranking 182 out of 193 countries, and registering a slight rise of one position compared to the previous year. Multidimensional poverty affects more than 70% of the population, reflecting territorial and social disparities that still challenge us," said Salim Valá.

In the meantime, life expectancy in the country is increasing, and is currently above 60 years of age.

"However, there are encouraging signs. Life expectancy has been increasing, schooling rates are showing progress, especially in primary education, and the digitalization of public services is beginning to gain traction," he said.

He said there was an urgent need to focus on more efficient actions to improve the HDI. By way of example, he pointed to the expansion of social protection and investment in resilient infrastructures, which are already underway.

"But the report is clear: without coordinated and ambitious action, the losses accumulated since 2020 could be consolidated as permanent setbacks"

The same document revealed that Mozambican women have a low quality of life compared to men, despite living longer.