Mozambique: immigration

How many refugees are in Mozambique?

Mozambique hosted 5,105 refugees and 18,972 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. A year earlier there were 5,370 refugees and 18,880 asylum seekers.

UNHCR's figures are based on data from the government's refugee institute and UNHCR registration. Internally displaced Mozambicans are counted separately and are far more numerous.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many people are internally displaced in Mozambique?

461,745 people were internally displaced in Mozambique at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder, down from 577,545 a year earlier. UNHCR also recorded 88,509 displaced people returning home in 2025.

Internally displaced people have fled their homes but remain inside Mozambique, so they are not refugees. UNHCR's figures draw on government and inter-agency data, and the count changes as people move and return.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many foreigners live in Mozambique?

International migrants made up about 1% of Mozambique's population in 2024, according to UN estimates published by the World Bank. With a population of about 35.6 million, that is roughly 350,000 people.

The UN estimate of international migrant stock counts people born abroad, largely from census data, so it includes long-settled residents and may miss recent or irregular arrivals. The National Statistics Institute publishes census data on the foreign-born population, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: International migrant stock, Mozambique (API)

How many foreign-born people live in Mozambique?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 1.0%. That compares with 1.2% in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.2%, and Mozambique placed 35th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 150th highest.

What is net migration in Mozambique?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Mozambique was -65,573 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at -23,103; its low point was 2008, at -102,534. It is 46th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -5,646. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 175th highest.

How many refugees are in Mozambique?

5,105: that is the number of refugees in the country in Mozambique for 2025, according to UNHCR. The peak was 5,624 in 2015 and the low 1,949 in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Mozambique placed 31st highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 169.

How many refugees have fled Mozambique?

119: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Mozambique for 2025, according to UNHCR. The peak was 216 in 2006 and the low 48 in 2016. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12,726, and Mozambique placed 44th highest of 48. Worldwide: 144th of 189.

How big are remittances in Mozambique's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Mozambique at 1.2% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 2.8% of GDP in 2018 and the low 0.7% of GDP in 2005. It is 14th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.6% of GDP. Worldwide: 78th of 127.