Safest cities in Mozambique
19 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Cabo Delgado Province
- Nampula Province
- Niassa Province
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in MozambiqueTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Mozambique.
Terrorist kidnap
- Due to the presence of groups with links to Islamist extremism, there is a threat of kidnap in Mozambique. The threat is particularly acute in Cabo Delgado Province, as well as neighbouring districts of Niassa and Nampula Provinces.
Political situation
- In Mozambique, protests can occur at short notice and even peaceful protests can become violent. Road toll gates are particularly vulnerable.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsYou can reduce the risk from pickpocketing and mugging by:
- CarjackingThere is a risk of carjacking. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed while driving. Be particularly vigilant when you arrive at or leave residential properties after dark. Avoid driving alone at night.
- Police harassment and corruptionSome visitors to Mozambique report being victims of police harassment and intimidation, including robbery and requests for bribes. If a police officer threatens you or asks for a bribe, report this to the British High Commission for awareness.
- Criminal kidnapThere have been kidnappings for ransom reported in Mozambique, mainly in the capital of Maputo. Kidnaps are generally for financial gain or motivated by criminality. While most victims have been Mozambicans, kidnappers may also target foreigners. Business owners are likely to be at increased risk of this activity. If you work in Mozambique, follow…
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAs a foreigner, you must always have your passport with you. Police patrols and checkpoints are common, and they will not accept copies or photos.
- Alcohol laws and bansIt is illegal to drink alcohol on public beaches.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesIf you are convicted of drug use, possession or trafficking, you can expect to get a long prison sentence and a fine.
- LandminesAll known minefields in Mozambique have been cleared. In the central and southern provinces of Sofala, Tete, Manica, Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo, mines may still exist in remote areas away from main routes. Get advice from district authorities if you plan to travel in these areas.
- Using cameras in secure areasIt is illegal to photograph government offices, airports, military establishments, residences and police or officials without special permission. If in doubt, do not take pictures.
- LGBT+ travellersThere are no laws against same-sex sexual activity. Attitudes in Maputo tend to be more liberal than in more remote rural areas of the country. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
- MoneyMake sure you can access money in a variety of ways. Travellers’ cheques are not commonly accepted, Mastercard is not always accepted across the country. US dollars and South African rand are the main exchange currencies.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Mozambique, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road.
- Driving standards and road conditionsTraffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to poor road conditions and low driving standards. Watch for pedestrians on the roads.
- Public transportOverland travel on public transport can be hazardous due to vehicles being in an unsafe condition. If you doubt a vehicle’s condition, make alternative arrangements.
- Sea travelThere is a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more. The threat assessment of the combined international naval counter-piracy forces is that sailing yachts should not enter the designated high-risk area, due to the risk of hijacking.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Cyclones and floodsCyclones and floods are common during the rainy season from November to April. They often cause landslides, which result in road closures and disruption to travel and public transport.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Mozambique, updated 2026-08-20 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 3.59 /100k2011
- Income inequality
- Gini 49.62022
- Human development
- HDI 0.4932023
- Income
- $1,540/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 30.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 36/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 36/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 21/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 7.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.55GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 13.7 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 28%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.2 doctors /1k0.7 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 295 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 7.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 6.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 3.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 3.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Cyclone
- 2.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Mozambique (as of 2025).
How Mozambique compares
| Measure | Mozambique | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.6 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.2 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 49.6 | 35.2 | +14.4 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.493 | 0.763 | −0.270 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 30.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +14.6 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 36/100 | 52/100 | −16/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 21/100 | 39/100 | −18/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.7 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −6.0 µg/m³ — better for Mozambique |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.0/10 | 3.8/10 | +3.2/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Mozambique | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.6 /100k | 4.7 /100k | −1.1 /100k — better for Mozambique |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 49.6 | 38.3 | +11.4 — better for Africa median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.493 | 0.563 | −0.070 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 30.0 /100k | 27.9 /100k | +2.1 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Rule of law | 36/100 | 42/100 | −6/100 — better for Africa median |
| Corruption perceptions | 21/100 | 31/100 | −10/100 — better for Africa median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 13.7 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −14.0 µg/m³ — better for Mozambique |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.0/10 | 5.2/10 | +1.8/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 19 cities, safest first
- Lichinga58.2 · #4576 worldwide
- Xai-Xai58.2 · #4577 worldwide
- Morrumbala58.2 · #4578 worldwide
- Catandica58.2 · #4579 worldwide
- Moatize56.4 · #4753 worldwide
- Milange55.3 · #4848 worldwide
- Gurue55.3 · #4849 worldwide
- Quelimane53.0 · #5025 worldwide
- Tete53.0 · #5026 worldwide
- Marromeu53.0 · #5027 worldwide
- Mocuba52.0 · #5074 worldwide
- Chimoio51.1 · #5127 worldwide
- Nacala49.5 · #5209 worldwide
- Beira48.5 · #5336 worldwide
- Dondo48.5 · #5337 worldwide
- Nampula47.8 · #5362 worldwide
- Maputo46.8 · #5422 worldwide
- Montepuez44.6 · #5575 worldwide
- Pemba42.6 · #5693 worldwide