Population in largest city in Mozambique
Mozambique: Population in largest city was 1.98 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1.98 million
Change on year
up 3.6%
World rank
88th
of 153 countries
All-time high
1.98 million
in 2025
All-time low
181,223
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population in largest city in Mozambique, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
Mozambique recorded 1.98 million for population in largest city in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.6% on the previous year and up 47.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Mozambique peaked at 1.98 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 181,223, in 1960.
That places Mozambique 88th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Mozambique, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 181,223 | — |
| 1961 | 194,544 | +7.4% |
| 1962 | 209,034 | +7.4% |
| 1963 | 224,602 | +7.4% |
| 1964 | 241,355 | +7.5% |
| 1965 | 259,305 | +7.4% |
| 1966 | 278,618 | +7.4% |
| 1967 | 299,369 | +7.4% |
| 1968 | 321,698 | +7.5% |
| 1969 | 345,624 | +7.4% |
| 1970 | 371,366 | +7.4% |
| 1971 | 391,715 | +5.5% |
| 1972 | 406,806 | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 422,435 | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 438,687 | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 455,564 | +3.8% |
| 1976 | 473,115 | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 491,292 | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 510,193 | +3.8% |
| 1979 | 529,821 | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 550,233 | +3.9% |
| 1981 | 569,588 | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 589,481 | +3.5% |
| 1983 | 610,068 | +3.5% |
| 1984 | 631,404 | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 653,425 | +3.5% |
| 1986 | 676,246 | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 699,864 | +3.5% |
| 1988 | 724,341 | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 749,603 | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 775,783 | +3.5% |
| 1991 | 802,877 | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 830,956 | +3.5% |
| 1993 | 859,937 | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 889,970 | +3.5% |
| 1995 | 921,052 | +3.5% |
| 1996 | 953,265 | +3.5% |
| 1997 | 986,511 | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 998,585 | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 1.01 million | +1.0% |
| 2000 | 1.02 million | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 1.03 million | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 1.04 million | +1.0% |
| 2003 | 1.05 million | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 1.06 million | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 1.07 million | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 1.08 million | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 1.09 million | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 1.10 million | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 1.10 million | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 1.10 million | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 1.10 million | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 1.10 million | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 1.13 million | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 1.23 million | +9.2% |
| 2015 | 1.35 million | +9.2% |
| 2016 | 1.47 million | +9.2% |
| 2017 | 1.60 million | +9.2% |
| 2018 | 1.64 million | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 1.67 million | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 1.71 million | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 1.75 million | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 1.80 million | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 1.85 million | +3.1% |
| 2024 | 1.92 million | +3.4% |
| 2025 | 1.98 million | +3.6% |
Mozambique compared with similar countries
- Mozambique's 1.98 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Mozambique's 1.98 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 91% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 255,537 | 181,223 | 345,624 | 10 |
| 1970s | 449,099 | 371,366 | 529,821 | 10 |
| 1980s | 645,425 | 550,233 | 749,603 | 10 |
| 1990s | 902,767 | 775,783 | 1.01 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.06 million | 1.02 million | 1.10 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.34 million | 1.10 million | 1.67 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.83 million | 1.71 million | 1.98 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Mozambique
More urban development data for Mozambique
- Population in the largest city 15.0% (2025)
- Population density 42.77 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 13.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.0902 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 3.21 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 3.42 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 3.83 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Crude steelmaking capacity 0 Tonnes (2025)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 70.74 Hectares (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Mozambique?
- Population in largest city in Mozambique was 1.98 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Mozambique?
- The highest recorded value was 1.98 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Mozambique?
- The lowest recorded value was 181,223 in 1960.
- How does Mozambique rank for population in largest city?
- Mozambique ranks 88th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Mozambique?
- Over the last ten years it is up 47.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mozambique data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.