Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Mozambique instead of California, you would:

Health

live 21.9 years less

In California, the average life expectancy is 79 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020. In Mozambique, that number is 57 years (56 years for men, 58 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

be 30.6% less likely to be unemployed

In California, 5.1% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Mozambique, that number is 3.5% as of 2023.

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make 98.2% less money

California has a GDP per capita of $84,028 as of 2024, while in Mozambique, the GDP per capita is $1,500 as of 2023.

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Basic Needs

be 81.6% less likely to have internet access

In California, approximately 92.6% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Mozambique, about 17.0% do as of 2021.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Compare further: California vs. Mozambique

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Mozambique is 45.1% cheaper than California
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Size Comparison · See true size
California is about 2 times smaller than Mozambique.
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Mozambique: At a glance

Mozambique is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 786,380 sq km. Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid 1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between Frelimo and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment. President GUEBUZA was reelected to a second term in October 2009. However, the elections were flawed by voter fraud, questionable disqualification of candidates, and Frelimo use of government resources during the campaign. As a result, Freedom House removed Mozambique from its list of electoral democracies.
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How big is Mozambique compared to California? See an in-depth size comparison.

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