Mozambique: cost of living

How fast are prices rising in Mozambique?

Consumer prices in Mozambique were 6.31% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to Banco de Moçambique. The slowdown from 6.5% in August came mainly from food and non-alcoholic beverages and from clothing and footwear.

The central bank's September 2026 communiqué names international fuel and food prices and climate shocks as the main risks. The National Statistics Institute (INE), which compiles these figures, had a website that could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Banco de Moçambique: Annual inflation slows to 6.31% in September · Banco de Moçambique: Monetary policy communiqué No. 5/2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Mozambique?

81.4% of Mozambicans lived on less than USD 3.00 a day in 2022, measured at 2021 purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank. The figure was 81.6% in 2019.

The international poverty line is set by the World Bank to compare countries and is based on household survey data. Mozambique also measures poverty against national poverty lines from its household budget surveys, run by the National Statistics Institute, whose website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty headcount at USD 3.00 a day, Mozambique

Is the metical stable against the dollar?

The metical depreciated by an average of 0.06% against the US dollar between January and September 2026 in commercial bank transactions with customers, according to Banco de Moçambique's September 2026 communiqué. Over the same period it fell 14.64% against the South African rand and rose 3.92% against the euro.

A stable dollar rate limits the effect of import prices on fuel and other goods priced in dollars, while the fall against the rand makes goods imported from South Africa more expensive in meticais. The central bank publishes daily reference rates on its website.

Official sources: Banco de Moçambique: Monetary policy communiqué No. 5/2026 (PDF) · Banco de Moçambique

How fast are prices rising in Mozambique?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Mozambique was 4.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.6% (2014) to 17.4% (2016). It is 13th highest of 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.4%. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 165.

What is household spending per person in Mozambique?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Mozambique at $416 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from $296 (2005) to $458 (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and Mozambique placed 33rd highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 120th of 124.

How many people in Mozambique live on under $3 a day?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Mozambique was 81.4% in 2022. That compares with 74.4% in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 41.8%, and Mozambique placed 1st highest of 7. Worldwide: 1st of 72.

What share of Mozambique lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Mozambique at 65.0% in 2022. That compares with 48.4% in 2014. It is 1st highest of 8 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0%. Of 52 countries with 2022 data, 1st highest.

What is Mozambique's Gini coefficient?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Mozambique was 49.6 in 2022. It was 54.0 in 2014. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 38.5; Mozambique is 3rd highest of 7. Of 72 countries with 2022 data, 5th highest.