Updated
Overview
Mozambique has about 65% more people than Zambia: 35.63 million against 21.91 million (2025).
Zambia's economy is 29% larger than Mozambique's, at $28.88B versus $22.34B.
Per person, Zambia is the wealthier of the two: $1,318 against $627 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mozambique | Zambia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $22.34B | Higher: $28.88B | 2025 | $22.42B / $26.33B |
| GDP per capita | $627 | Higher: $1,318 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -0.5% | Higher: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 4.4% | 13.9% | 2025 | 4.1% / 15.0% |
| Unemployment | 6.6% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 37 | 30 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $213 | $170 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $149 | $50 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.63 million | 21.91 million | 2025 | 34.21 million / 22.02 million |
| Population growth | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 16.5 yrs | 17.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.62 | 3.97 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 63.8 yrs | Higher: 66.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 37% | 46% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 21% | 17% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 801,590 km² | 752,612 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 44.5/km² | 29.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 8.61 Mt | 12 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.2 t | 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $450.45M | $349.67M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 11,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Zambia grew while the other economy contracted: 3.8% against -0.5%.
Zambia runs the hotter price environment: 13.9% inflation versus 4.4%.
Average monthly earnings favour Mozambique: $213 against $170 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 16.5 (Mozambique) and 17.9 (Zambia).
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Zambia (66.5 vs 63.8).
Geography
By land area, Mozambique is almost exactly the same size as Zambia: 801,590 km² versus 752,612 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Mozambique spends 29% more on defence than Zambia: $450.45M versus $349.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Zambia fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mozambique bigger than Zambia?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Mozambique covers 801,590 km² while Zambia covers 752,612 km², a difference of under 7%.
- Which has more people, Mozambique or Zambia?
- Mozambique has the larger population: 35.63 million versus 21.91 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mozambique richer than Zambia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Zambia is richer: $1,318 against $627. Total GDP tells the same story: $22.34B for Mozambique versus $28.88B for Zambia.
- Who spends more on their military, Mozambique or Zambia?
- Mozambique spends more: $450.45M versus $349.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).