Updated
Overview
Mozambique has 2.1 times the population of Zimbabwe: 35.63 million people against 16.95 million (2025).
Zimbabwe's economy is 2.3 times the size of Mozambique's, at $51.22B versus $22.34B.
Per person, Zimbabwe is the wealthier of the two: $3,021 against $627 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mozambique | Zimbabwe | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $22.34B | Higher: $51.22B | 2025 | $22.42B / $44.19B |
| GDP per capita | $627 | Higher: $3,021 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -0.5% | Higher: 8.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 4.4% | 104.7% | 2025 / 2022 | 4.1% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.6% | 9.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 37 | 56 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $213 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $149 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.63 million | 16.95 million | 2025 | 34.21 million / 17.47 million |
| Population growth | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 16.5 yrs | 18.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.62 | 3.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 63.8 yrs | 63.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 37% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 21% | Higher: 42% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 801,590 km² | 390,757 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 44.5/km² | 43.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 8.61 Mt | 14 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.2 t | 0.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $450.45M | $98.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 11,000 | 51,000 | 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
Zimbabwe grew while the other economy contracted: 8.1% against -0.5%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Zimbabwe at 104.7%, while the other economy sits at 4.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mozambique: a price level of 37 versus 56 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 16.5 (Mozambique) and 18.1 (Zimbabwe).
Internet adoption is higher in Zimbabwe (42% vs 21% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mozambique is 2.1 times the size of Zimbabwe: 801,590 km² versus 390,757 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Mozambique spends 4.6 times as much on defence as Zimbabwe: $450.45M versus $98.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Mozambique carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Zimbabwe fields the larger armed forces: 51,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mozambique bigger than Zimbabwe?
- Mozambique is larger by land area. Mozambique covers 801,590 km² while Zimbabwe covers 390,757 km², so Mozambique is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mozambique or Zimbabwe?
- Mozambique has the larger population: 35.63 million versus 16.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mozambique richer than Zimbabwe?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Zimbabwe is richer: $3,021 against $627. Total GDP tells the same story: $22.34B for Mozambique versus $51.22B for Zimbabwe.
- Who spends more on their military, Mozambique or Zimbabwe?
- Mozambique spends more: $450.45M versus $98.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).