Mozambique has a population of around 35 million, growing rapidly, with one of the youngest age structures in the world — roughly half the population is under 18. The vast majority are Bantu-speaking peoples, with more than 40 languages spoken across the country.
The Makhuwa are the largest ethnic group, concentrated in the northern provinces of Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado, and Zambezia — they make up close to 40 percent of the population. In the south, the Tsonga (also called Shangaan) dominate, with strong cultural and linguistic links to South Africa's Limpopo province. The Makonde of far northern Cabo Delgado are renowned throughout Africa for their intricate wood sculpture — expressive, abstract figures carved from ebony. The Sena and Ndau inhabit the Zambezi valley in the centre of the country.
Portuguese is the official language, a legacy of over four centuries of colonial rule that ended with independence in 1975. It's the language of government, education, and formal commerce, and is more widely spoken in cities than in rural areas. Mozambicans are generally warm and welcoming toward visitors, with a relaxed directness that makes interactions easy despite any language barrier.
Religion is mixed: Christianity (predominantly Catholic and various Protestant denominations) is the majority faith, at around 56 percent. Islam is strong in the northern coastal regions and among communities with long-standing Indian Ocean trading connections — about 18 percent of the population is Muslim. Traditional beliefs, including ancestor veneration and spirit possession cults, remain widespread alongside formal religion, often practiced alongside it rather than in opposition.
Mozambican cultural life is rich in music and dance. Timbila — xylophone music of the Chopi people in Inhambane province — is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Maputo has a lively arts scene, with contemporary music blending Afropop, marrabenta (Mozambique's own guitar-based urban sound), and electronic influences.