During the last three decades Mozambique’s population has been growing at an annual rate of 2% or higher, and the consequences of such growth at the prospects of socio-economic development of the country have not been explored. Thus, this article is aimed at contributing for the population debate in Mozambique, by analysing the population growth in this country and its implications and challenges for the socio-economic development.

keywords: África; Sub-Saharan África; Mozambique; population growth; fertility; socioeconomic development