Updated
Overview
Tanzania has 2.0 times the population of Mozambique: 70.55 million people against 35.63 million (2025).
Tanzania's economy is 4.0 times the size of Mozambique's, at $90.14B versus $22.34B.
Per person, Tanzania is the wealthier of the two: $1,319 against $627 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Tanzania | Mozambique | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $90.14B | $22.34B | 2025 | $78.78B / $22.42B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,319 | $627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.9% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 4.4% | 2025 | 3.1% / 4.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.6% | 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 37 | 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $212 | Higher: $213 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $58 | Higher: $149 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 70.55 million | 35.63 million | 2025 | 69.15 million / 34.21 million |
| Population growth | 2.9% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 17.5 yrs | 16.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.47 | 4.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 67.2 yrs | 63.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 37% | 37% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 31% | 21% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 945,087 km² | 801,590 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 74.6/km² | 44.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 20 Mt | Lower: 8.61 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.3 t | Lower: 0.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $920.85M | $450.45M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 28,000 | 11,000 | 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
Tanzania grew while the other economy contracted: 5.9% against -0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Tanzania and 4.4% in Mozambique.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Tanzania: a price level of 29 versus 37 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mozambique: $213 against $212 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 17.5 (Tanzania) and 16.5 (Mozambique).
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Tanzania (67.2 vs 63.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Tanzania (31% vs 21% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Tanzania is 18% larger than Mozambique: 945,087 km² versus 801,590 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Tanzania spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Mozambique: $920.85M versus $450.45M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Mozambique carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 1.2%.
Tanzania fields the larger armed forces: 28,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Tanzania bigger than Mozambique?
- Tanzania is larger by land area. Tanzania covers 945,087 km² while Mozambique covers 801,590 km², so Tanzania is 18% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Tanzania or Mozambique?
- Tanzania has the larger population: 70.55 million versus 35.63 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Tanzania richer than Mozambique?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Tanzania is richer: $1,319 against $627. Total GDP tells the same story: $90.14B for Tanzania versus $22.34B for Mozambique.
- Who spends more on their military, Tanzania or Mozambique?
- Tanzania spends more: $920.85M versus $450.45M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).