In Mozambique, there are a significant number of orphans, with estimates suggesting at least 2 million children are living without one or both parents. A large proportion of these children are impacted by HIV/AIDS, with over 60,000 being specifically identified as AIDS orphans. Beyond the HIV/AIDS crisis, the country also faces challenges with displacement due to conflict and natural disasters. As such, thousands of these children, an estimated 5000, live on the streets particularly in Maputo, however the exact number cannot be quantified. Many of these children, like so many from the general population, have no birth certificates, so cannot even prove their are from Mozambique, and of course, apart from those reached by charitable organisations, have no access to education, health care, nor a viable future.

The country's overall literacy rate is 60% and Mozambique is in 185th place out of 193 countries and territories in 2025 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a country and life expectancy is 63.8 years (2025).