Region: Eastern Africa

Capital: Maputo

Population: 18 811 731 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 801 590 square km

Currency: metical

GDP per capita: $1 200 (2003 est.)

Historic background:
At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy.
These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the population remains below the poverty line.

Economy – overview:
Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce. A substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the MOZAL aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment project to date has increased export earnings. Additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment manufacturing should further close the import/export gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a manageable level.

United Nations Membership date: 16 September 1975

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Mozambique to the United Nations,
420 East 50th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022
Telephone: 212-644-6800 / 5965
Fax: 212-644-5972 / 0528