Mozambique had an around population of 19,371,057 in 2001, giving the nation an average density of 24 persons per sq km .contempt a dozen years of civil war, the nation doubled its population between 1970 and 1998. Many people fled to cities during the war, but the population of Mozambique remains overwhelmingly rural.

During the colonial era, Christian missionaries were active in Mozambique, and many foreign clergy remain in the nation. According to the national census, about 20%-30% of the population is Christian, 15%-20% is Muslim, and the remainder adheres to orthodox beliefs. Under the colonial regime, educational opportunities for black Mozambicans were limited, and 93% of that population was illiterate. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After freedom, the government placed a high priority on expanding education,which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased. Unfortunately, in recent years school construction and teacher training enrollments have not kept up with population increases. With post-war enrollments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered.