The Bank of Mozambique has published a report that sheds light on the employment landscape in the country, revealing an overall employment rate of 71.4% for the population aged 15 or over. This figure is part of the final evaluation of the national financial inclusion strategy, covering the period 2016 to 2022, and highlights Mozambique's progress towards broader financial inclusion and inclusive economic growth.
The report highlights significant disparities in employment, both in terms of gender and in the comparison between urban and rural areas. It shows that 73.2% of men are employed, compared with 69.8% of women, revealing a gender gap that underlines the urgent need for policies focused on equal employment opportunities.
The difference between employment in urban and rural areas is also notable, with 81.5% of adults in urban areas employed, compared with only 54.4% in rural areas. This contrast reflects the additional challenges that rural communities face in terms of access to employment opportunities and economic development.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing emerge as the dominant sectors, employing around 75% of the country's workforce, a proportion that rises to 89.2% in rural areas. In urban areas, although these sectors are also important, trade and finance absorb a significant part of the workforce, accounting for 37.9%.
The future outlook for the Mozambican economy is optimistic, with the International Monetary Fund projecting potential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of up to 15% by 2028. This growth is expected to be driven by the continued recovery of the services, agriculture and natural resources production sectors, including coal and heavy sands, as well as the expansion of liquefied natural gas production.
