Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique
Mozambique: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 27.4% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique is 27.4%, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 7.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique peaked at 27.5% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 3.2%, in 1950.
Mozambique ranks 153rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.2% | — |
| 1955 | 4.4% | +38.8% |
| 1960 | 5.7% | +29.5% |
| 1965 | 8.0% | +38.9% |
| 1970 | 9.0% | +13.0% |
| 1975 | 11.2% | +24.7% |
| 1980 | 14.4% | +28.4% |
| 1985 | 15.7% | +9.2% |
| 1990 | 18.0% | +14.2% |
| 1995 | 22.2% | +23.5% |
| 2000 | 23.6% | +6.6% |
| 2005 | 24.8% | +4.9% |
| 2010 | 25.6% | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 27.5% | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 27.4% | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.8% | 3.2% | 4.4% | 2 |
| 1960s | 6.8% | 5.7% | 8.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 10.1% | 9.0% | 11.2% | 2 |
| 1980s | 15.1% | 14.4% | 15.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 20.1% | 18.0% | 22.2% | 2 |
| 2000s | 24.2% | 23.6% | 24.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 26.5% | 25.6% | 27.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 27.4% | 27.4% | 27.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mozambique
More population data for Mozambique
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.3732 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.3732 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.4521 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 63,044 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.61 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.401 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Population density 132.69 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 7.33 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mozambique was 27.4% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Mozambique?
- The highest recorded value was 27.5% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Mozambique?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.2% in 1950.
- How does Mozambique rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Mozambique ranks 153rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Mozambique?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mozambique data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.