Inflation has been brought under control and the annual GNP growth rate is among the highest in Africa, but the country is heavily dependent upon external aid and has to cope with a growing debt service burden. As a result of the rapid introduction of structural adjustment there is growing socio-economic polarization. Mozambique is still one of the 10 poorest countries in the world and faces daunting development challenges. Mozambique rates as no. A fragile human resource base constitutes one of the most critical problems in Mozambique.
Unemployment rates are very high.
The government is working to build a sustainable economy and to support health and educational services, whilst promoting decentralization and management capacities. The principal causes of death are malaria, communicable diseases, epidemics, deliveries and maternal mortality, malnutrition and diarrhoeal diseases. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are HIV positive and numbers are increasing, especially in the Nacala, Tete, Beira and Maputo corridors to Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa . The government s 5 year plan prioritizes poverty alleviation and the social sectors, and the national policy on public administration modernization stresses the importance of decentralization and development of local management and professional skills. Vulnerability analysis Mozambique is a disaster-prone country affected by drought, floods, cyclones and epidemics.