Mozambique’s parliament has approved a new law raising the mandatory retirement age for state employees from 60 to 65, reversing a controversial 2017 decision that had forced thousands of experienced professionals into early retirement.
The measure, passed this week by the Assembly of the Republic, aligns the country with regional and global trends where retirement ages range between 65 and 70.
The government says the reform will help stabilise the public administration, retain critical expertise and bring Mozambique in line with retirement norms across Portuguese‑speaking African countries
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The 2017 reform had lowered the retirement age to 60 for men and 55 for women, prompting widespread criticism from sectors such as health and higher education, where specialist doctors, researchers and university lecturers were compelled to leave public service at the height of their careers.
The government has now acknowledged the need to retain skilled personnel and adapt to demographic and economic shifts.
Introducing the bill, Minister of State Administration, Inocêncio Impissa said the change reflects Mozambique’s evolving social and economic realities and aims to strengthen institutional sustainability by making better use of accumulated professional experience.
The new law also allows certain strategic professions including diplomats, doctors, researchers and university lecturers, to work until 70 under an exceptional regime.
The legislation was not unanimously supported.
Renamo voted against the bill, arguing it was discriminatory, while the ruling Frelimo Party secured its passage with backing from the MDM and Podemos.
AP
