The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a warning about the rapid growth of the population in Mozambique. The report released today indicates that, if the current rate of growth is maintained, Mozambique's population will double every 25 years, reaching 67.8 million inhabitants in 2048.
This phenomenon places Mozambique among the 12 countries in the world with the highest population growth, including nations such as Angola, Chad and Uganda. The country faces a demographic scenario marked by a high birth rate, with women having, on average, between four and five children.
Mozambique's age pyramid has a very young base, with 43% of the population under the age of 15. This represents both challenges and opportunities, requiring appropriate public policies to respond to the needs of this age group.
However, the UNFPA report highlights concerns in areas such as assistance at childbirth and early marriage. Approximately a quarter of women still receive no assistance during childbirth, while 53% of women now aged between 20 and 24 were already married by the age of 18.
The situation in Mozambique contrasts with the average for the least developed countries, where the rate of early marriage is 38%. The country thus stands as one of the five countries with the highest incidence of this problem worldwide.
The UNFPA stresses the importance of investing in policies that promote reproductive health and gender equality, with the aim of ensuring a more prosperous and sustainable future for Mozambique. In this regard, implementing strategies to improve access to education and healthcare, as well as promoting women's autonomy, is fundamental to tackling the demographic challenges the country is going through.
